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Over-indulgence in alcohol is a chronic problem among university students but a group at UWA has been tackling it head-on for a decade.

The Tertiary Alcohol Project (TAP), run by the Health Promotion Unit has won an award for its significant impact on community safety.

The Injury Control Council of WA (ICCWA) presented its  2012 Outstanding Achievement Award to TAP for its ongoing programs to increase awareness of safe drinking levels and the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

Tricia Wylde , Manager of the Health Promotion Unit, said the strength and success of the program was its partnership approach. Apart from benefitting from the expertise of University departments and groups such as ICCWA, police and lifesavers, the program has partnered with the Student Guild, training and using students to ensure the messages are delivered in the most appropriate way.

Over the past 10 years, Guild club members have been trained in responsible service of alcohol, student volunteers have run Brief Alcohol Interventions, delivering one-on-one sessions to students who drink at harmful levels; a comprehensive Event Management Toolkit has been created and used by students to guide the safe serving of alcohol; and a permanent alcohol and other drugs counsellor has become part of the UWA Medical Centre team. A taxi rank has been introduced on the Crawley campus to reduce the risk of drink-driving; and student-specific online and print resources have been developed, once again, in partnership with students.

The Health Promotion Unit has also developed a Local Drug Action Group with people in and outside the University, which meets regularly to compare initiatives.