Columbia’s Counseling Services is taking steps to curb alcohol and drug abuse on campus with the implementation of several new programs.

Jackie Sowinski Hamlet, director of Counseling Services, met with the Student Government Association on Feb. 17 to discuss new campus counseling programs geared toward students looking for help with chemical dependencies. Hamlet introduced the newest addition to the support group roster, “Bridging the Gap,” to SGA.

The program connects newly sober students with Alcoholics Anonymous members who have been sober for no less than one year.

“‘Bridging the Gap’ is a program intended to help students and people who are interested in entering a 12-step program for substance abuse problems,” Hamlet said.

“Bridging the Gap” was created by AA to reach out to the public. Columbia is one of the first colleges in the country to collaborate with the program and bring AA meetings and volunteers onto campus. The program uses sober volunteers from AA to act as liaisons to newcomers. Volunteers and new AA members are matched by age, gender and neighborhood.

John Michael Quinn, a certified drug counselor for Columbia’s Counseling Services coordinates the program on campus. Quinn said the idea to bring AA to campus began last semester after seeing students struggling with alcohol and drug abuse in the counseling center.

“Students coming into college seem to think that drinking is a normal activity,” Quinn said. “I don’t want students to think this place is a drink ticket.”

Harvard University’s department of public health reported in 2008 that 44 percent of U.S. college students participated in binge drinking in a two week period.

“We originally just wanted to provide AA meetings for students and the public in the community but decided to implement Bridging the Gap, as well,” Quinn said. “Going to that first meeting is one of the hardest parts about starting recovery, but Bridging the Gap makes sure no one has to go alone.”

Students are welcomed to visit Counseling Services to get information on AA and Bridging the Gap.

“We are hoping that this all makes gaining sobriety less intimidating for students, and students who need support will be able to access that on campus,” Quinn said.

For more information, visit Colum.edu/StudentLife/Health/Counseling_Services