Alcohol risk reduction for fraternity and sorority members

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effective ness of "Talking about Alcohol and Drugs... Among Greeks" (TAAD), a lifesty le risk reduction program that is research- and theory-based, protocol-driv en, and targeted for fraternity and sorority members. Method: One fraternit y and two sororities on five campuses participated in the program. A total of 780 participants completed pre- and posttest questionnaires. Posttest da ta were collected 1 academic year after pretest data collection. Results: R esults indicate that the program decreased positive attitudes toward alcoho l consumption among program participants, with participants in the true exp erimental condition indicating greater disagreement than control participan ts (F = 3.05, 2/701 df, p < .05). Belief in myths about the etiology of alc oholism was reduced among experimental participants who did not actually at tend the program, with those participants indicating greater disagreement t han control or true experimental participants (F = 10.92, 2/702 df, p < .00 01). The program had no apparent effect on alcohol consumption by experimen tal participants. Conclusions: The program's ability to influence behavior was hindered by systemic problems, such as trainer credibility and implemen tation infidelity, and probable participant psychological reactance. Traini ng by professionals and mandatory attendance would set the stage for improv ed program effectiveness. Beyond that, an approach that emphasized how high -risk drinking norms jeopardize the goals of the fraternities and sororitie s might be better received than the current approach, which focuses on how individual attitudes, beliefs and behaviors lead to alcohol-related problem s and alcoholism.