The NCAA again will sponsor National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD), which will take place April 5, 2001, during Alcohol Awareness Month.

NASD, a project of the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health, in partnership with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, will be conducted this year at more than 400 college campuses across the country.

NASD helps students to assess their own drinking patterns and to find the motivation and resources to change if they find their drinking is hurting what they most value -- athletics performance and success in the classroom and in other areas of their lives. NASD offers students the opportunity to view an educational presentation, take a written self-test about their drinking behavior and beliefs, meet with a health professional and receive a referral for further assistance, if needed.

Student-athletes play a crucial role in NASD. The college program concentrates on the dangers of high-risk drinking, which is particularly important because research indicates college students who value sports are among those most likely to engage in high-risk drinking. Additionally, student-athletes, whom other students often know and admire, can influence campus norms about alcohol use. Athletes can help make their campus program a success by recruiting their teammates and other students to participate in NASD.

Last year, almost 32,000 students participated in NASD on about 400 campuses across the country. NASD is easy to implement, comprehensive and effective.

NCAA schools are encouraged to work with their health or counseling center to register as a site for National Alcohol Screening Day. Contact the NASD office at 781/239-0071 for registration information.