In tandem with my work with UC Davis’ Aggies for Recovery, the Collegiate Organization and Student Health Service program on the UC Davis Campus, I have be fortunate enough to be accepted into the SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Program (CRLA), an academic year-long fellowship program for students who are passionate about the intersection of collegiate recovery, leadership, and advocacy. I am working on an Impact project with them which sees me implanting a monthly temperance meet-up called, Replacing The Ritual. Replacing The Ritual provides a supportive social environment for students to gather and learn about non-alcoholic fermentation and alcohol-free alternatives from across cultures. This event based program aims to provide a compassionate community for students struggling with substance abuse but also allow allies to engage and support those in recovery. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimate that about 1,519 college students ages 18 to 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes. Replacing The Ritual offers harm reduction alternatives to the binge drinking culture of college campuses, in a diverse and inclusive environment. The workshops will be an opportunity to disseminate information about the multiple pathways of recovery as well as life-saving material to prevent addiction fatalities

The program recognizes that binge drinking is deeply ingrained in many cultures and social scenes, but also acknowledges the negative consequences that can arise from excessive alcohol consumption. Rather than simply advocating for abstinence or prohibition, Replacing The Ritual seeks to offer alternative ways to socialize and have fun that don't involve excessive drinking.

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