Illinois Wesleyan University Nursing Majors to Conduct Breathalyzer Screening

November 1, 2004

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—On Wednesday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 5 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., six Illinois Wesleyan University nursing majors will conduct a breathalyzer screening at Pub II, 102 N. Linden St., Normal.

The junior IWU students offering this service will include Meredith Alt of Rankin, Angel Arroyo of Chicago, Melissa Giegerich of Naperville, Amy Sellers of Downers Grove, Melissa Taylor of Gridley and Jacqueline Van Meter of Oakland. Joining them will be Andrea Hovis, a senior nursing student from the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) at Illinois State University, who helped develop this project last year in order to reduce the prevalence of drunk driving and educate bar patrons about the effects of alcohol.

Posters and table flyers will advertise the service, and readings will be offered to any patron who wishes to participate. Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) brochures about the effects of alcohol will be distributed.

As patrons stop at the booth to volunteer, the nursing students will ask their weight, how many drinks they have had, how many hours they have been drinking, and their expected breathalyzer reading. Patrons will then be offered a glass of water to promote an accurate reading. When ten minutes have elapsed since their last alcoholic beverage, the students will invite the patrons to blow into the breathalyzer. If a patron blows over the legal limit, the students will ask by what means they plan to return home safely. Information on bus routes and cab fares will be made available.

The project supports focus areas of the Healthy People 2010, a set of objectives from the national Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The project will also make the nurses eligible for a national health promotion award and contributes toward a course grade in Mental Health Nursing. The screening is meant to educate students and the community about alcohol awareness, while potentially improving the safety and well being of all citizens.

The manager of Pub II and Lieutenant Mark Kotte of the Normal Police Department support the event.

Contact: Anna Deters (309) 556-3181