The Office of the Dean of Students is offering a remote, staff-facing training that focuses on the skills necessary for having conversations with students about alcohol and cannabis use.

Alcohol and Cannabis Use Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment will be held Friday, Nov. 20, from 1-5 p.m. via Zoom. The class will be led by prevention and counseling services staff.

The training was developed by Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education using evidence-based approaches and motivational interviewing.

Interested participants can sign up by logging into MyTrack using their Duck ID.

Alexis Drakatos, substance abuse prevention coordinator, said that the training gives staff the skills to have conversations around the use of alcohol and drugs, and makes people more comfortable taking about it.

“It is a great professional development opportunity for anyone who interacts directly with students,” Drakatos said. “The skills developed could be used in office hours, advising sessions, or other one-on-one interactions.”