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Smart Choices

What is SMART CHOICES?

SMART CHOICES is an alcohol/drug harm-reduction program for FSU students provided in an individual or a small group format.

Below are brief descriptions for each format.

  • BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening for College Students) is the individually-delivered alcohol abuse prevention program for college students, empirically supported by rigorous research.
  • CASICS (Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students) is an individually-delivered, marijuana abuse intervention for college students utilizing empirically supported brief motivational interviewing.
  • CHOICES is the group-delivered intervention modeled after the Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP), a program with evidence of effectiveness with college students.

Notice!

A $75 fee is assessed for students who violate Florida State University substance abuse policies and are required to take SMART CHOICES. SMART CHOICES is FREE to all other FSU students, please call the office before registering to ensure that you are not charged for the course.

SMART CHOICES Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an individual BASICS session?

Confidential and comprehensive risk reduction focused on individual patterns of alcohol and drug use, consequences, and potential risks. Our nonjudgmental, personalized feedback is designed to assist individual students in reducing risks related to their drinking and drug use patterns. Students will gain personal skills and access to free information and resource materials on a wide variety of topics relating to alcohol and other drugs.

What can I expect from an individual CASICS session?

Confidential and comprehensive risk reduction focused on individual patterns of marijuana use, consequences, and potential risks. Our nonjudgmental, personalized feedback is designed to assist individual students in reducing risks related to their marijuana and other drug use. Students will gain personal skills and access to free information and resource materials on a wide variety of topics relating to marijuana and other drugs.

What can I expect from a group CHOICES session?

A small group session focused on reducing risks associated with alcohol consumption. This interactive session allows students to discuss FSU norms, standard drink sizes, cautions about shot glasses, keg cups and other containers, and the effects of alcohol on the body. The second session includes a review of individualized personal feedback profiles from an online alcohol and drug assessment and a discussion of alcohol effects, the biphasic effect of alcohol, blood alcohol levels (BAL), gender differences, changing effects of alcohol over time, tolerance, expectation and other factors that influence drinking, student perceptions of other students' behaviors, moderation skills to minimize unwanted and unintended outcomes of drinking, alcohol and other drug interactions, legal issues, and safety information.

How Do I Sign Up?

FSU students can sign up for Smart Choices from the website: healthcompliance.fsu.edu/smartchoices.

E-checkup links

  • ECHECKUP To GO is a brief, anonymous survey designed to assist students in determining whether their substance use results in low, moderate, or high risk to their health. The aim is to reduce risky behaviors and potential harmful consequences. After you receive your results, you can contact CHAW to speak to a peer educator if you like. Services provided through eCHECKUP are non-judgmental, non-labeling, and private.