KDA, State Universities Form Coalition to Address Alcohol and Drug Abuse Among Students

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association, along with universities and colleges across the state, including Northern Kentucky University, launched the Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Alcohol and Substance Misuse Education (RASME) to reduce underage drinking and driving among college students.

The three-year, $1 million pilot program is modeled after successful, proven versions in other states and will work with participating schools to implement a holistic wellness initiative focused on education and harm reduction strategies, while providing support to ensure consistency and accountability.

The coalition includes 11 initial institutions: Bellarmine University, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Center College, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Northern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky and University of Louisville .

All participating member campuses will be provided with:

• Annual and current assessments
• Year-round training and technical support
• Funding to implement a strategic harm reduction plan
• Evidence-based and data-driven harm reduction strategies

The program is housed at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and membership is open to other campuses, with financial and training support available statewide. The coalition will provide a network for professional staff to continue to connect with each other.

In the initial stages of the coalition’s development, member schools worked together to understand the needs of each campus, taking into account geographic location, student population, and available budget.

The KDA Foundation’s Lifting Spirits Foundation, with significant support from Angel’s Envy, Bardstown Bourbon Co., Bill Samuels Jr., Brown-Forman, Buzick Construction, Heaven Hill, Independent Stave Co., Michter’s, Rabbit Hole and Suntory Global Spirits, will fund the initiative for the first three years.

The group will then look to emulate successful programs in other states and apply for grants that will allow it to continue its work.

The coalition has hired Carla Jordan as executive director, who will oversee the state program, support campus strategies and ensure all schools comply with the Safe and Drug-Free Campuses Act. Jordan began work Aug. 26, 2024.

Jordan has over 30 years of experience in program management and facilitation and is skilled in topics including health and wellness, parenting, advocacy, and civil discourse.

Most recently, she worked at the University of Kentucky Department of Social Work Training Center where she developed curriculum and provided trauma-relief skills and professional development to foster parents and social workers.

“As the program director of the Kentucky Coalition for RASME, I am committed to leading with a servant’s heart. My goal is to connect and educate our communities with resources and information to support sustainable living,” Jordan said.

“When young adults feel seen, valued and heard, they are empowered to realize their leadership potential and become responsible caretakers of themselves, their environments and their community.”

Jessica Pendergrass, KDA Board Chair, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Heaven Hill, said, “This partnership underscores the Kentucky Bourbon industry’s commitment to reducing harmful alcohol consumption and promoting responsible drinking through proven strategies and education.

“Our shared goal is to support effective programming across higher education institutions to ensure the well-being of our campus populations, to promote responsible habits from the outset, and to maintain a healthy and safe campus culture.”

Ashley Hinton, director of health promotion at Centre College and a consultant to the coalition, said, “Following the example of Missouri’s highly successful accountability program and working with state coalition leaders across the country, the coalition will continue to work with leaders in substance abuse education to ensure Kentucky higher education institutions have reliable, evidence-based tools to support the needs of their campuses.

“I look forward to working with KDA to bring this project to life and look forward to continuing to support the coalition as we all work together to create a safer and healthier campus environment through effective action.”

In April, Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 439, establishing Alcohol Wellness and Responsibility Education (AWARE) Corp. AWARE’s mission is to provide funding through grants to Kentucky high schools, colleges, universities and other organizations to support alcohol responsibility programs.

In July, the AWARE Board awarded matching funds totaling $161,250 to support RASME programs. State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner Allyson Taylor is a member of the AWARE Board.

“Education is an important part of ABC’s work, and we are always eager to work with industry members to promote responsible drinking for adults and educational programs for youth,” Taylor said. “The agency looks forward to supporting many more programs that promote these goals. We appreciate the KDA and its members for introducing this initiative.”

HB 439 also includes a provision that allows ABC to auction off confiscated alcohol, with the proceeds going to the AWARE program. AWARE, formerly the Malt Beverage Education Fund, will also continue to provide resources at Project Graduation High School events.

KDA President Eric Gregory praised the collaborative effort and partners who have worked countless hours over the past two years to make the RASME coalition a reality. “We are proud to support our members who are engaging with the higher education community in such meaningful ways,” he said.

“This is a groundbreaking program for the Commonwealth that ensures students on campuses across the state are equipped with the resources to understand alcohol consumption so they can make appropriate and responsible decisions.”

For more information about the program or how to get involved, contact Sara Barnes at [email protected] or Ashley Hinton at [email protected].