How are B.A.C.ZONE cards helping people stay safe when they choose to drink? By increasing protective behaviors and reducing risky ones. Because they are personalized by weight and gender, unlike other cards, they are engaging people as other alcohol awareness programs can’t.

I LOVE the cards-what a wonderful chance to engage a student, have a fairly brief conversation, give some good harm-reduction messages, be able to answer questions, have the student feel as though he/she got something ”cool.” I use the cards in my Peer Advocacy class, they’re used in our judicial sanction group, and in individual educational interactions with students.
Prisciall Quirk, Coordinator of Health Promotion and Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY

The RA held a “Beirut/beer pong tournament" with a root beer keg …When I showed up, I asked everyone to estimate how many measured drinks that had consumed in the hour the tourney was going on — with the reminder that the cups they were using actually held 16, not 12 ounces. I handed out the cards, which they generally found very helpful and interesting. I did have great questions come up from a few students in the group, particularly around BAC vs. tolerance (which is always confusing to them.) They were surprised at the differences based on weight, not to mention gender…definitely an eye opener. One student even called a friend to find out her weight so he could pick up a card for her…I think the cards are very helpful to opening a discussion about rapid alcohol consumption and related issues. Thanks for creating a card that’s more accurate for individuals.
Lisa Currie, Director of Health Education, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT

We use the cards when working one-on-one with our BASICS program and when we do public speaking with fraternities, sororities and athletic teams. Also, our REACH peer educators, students who do “street” outreach on campus, hand out the cards, too. Our nursing staff has used the cards when counseling students who have experienced an overdose on alcohol and need medical attention…One of my favorite things to do with the cards is pull out a card for an average size person of the opposite sex to teach students about gender differences with alcohol.
Debra Lewis, Alcohol Projects Coordinator, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

The introduction of the B.A.C.ZONE cards several years ago turned out to be one of the best “tools” we have found to date. Each fall semester, our freshmen are the first to receive their personal “Green Cards”… and then discussed during small group meetings. Without fail, those discussions bring out remarks such as: “My BAC has never been that high” or “You’ve got to be kiddin’!” During those meetings, we also discuss our campus and National Social Norms – using the B.A.C.ZONE cards to show how students, if they do choose to drink, can slow down and/or reduce their own alcohol intake… From time to time, we will also set up B.A.C.ZONE tables: students will stop by, tell us their weight/gender and receive their own card...Finally, cards are distributed as a prevention/intervention tool during our judicially-mandated alcohol/other drug assessments and education classes…A few students have reported that they have used their card to actually help them stay out of trouble; one gentleman was quite specific: “I now know how much I can drink and still stay in control of my behaviors and mouth. I don’t get as loud and obnoxious as I used to.”
Cory Rosenkranz, Coordinator of Substance Abuse/Violence Prevention Programs, Ramapo
College of NJ

Franklin and Marshall College distributes the B.A.C.ZONE cards as part of the BASICS assessment/feedback sessions that are required of students with serious or repeat violations of the alcohol policy. In addition, the cards are available for Counseling and Health Services staff to distribute in the context of their individual sessions with students. This year, the B.A.C.ZONE cards were distributed to all incoming first year female students as part of the Sexual Assault Prevention Orientation Program… Students who choose to drink were encouraged to stay in their GREEN ZONE as a means of reducing their risk of negative consequences, including the possibility of sexual assault.
Dr. Christine Conway, Counseling Center, Franklin and Marshall College

We originally purchased them for our graduation events on campus, and they were handed out at the functions… We also used them at our Wellness Fair… At both settings, students seem to be reading them and talking about them…there was also discussion in the halls regarding the cards.
Tami Magnett, University of Portland, OR