ECSU Receives Grant for Substance Abuse Recovery and Education Program, Viking CARES

The substance abuse education and recovery efforts at Elizabeth City State University are being given a boost with the creation of a new program launched in part by a $50,000 grant from the UNC System. Viking CARES (Campus Advocates for Recovery and Educational Services) aims to boost programs that target mental health and substance abuse issues, according to Jody Grady, ECSU’s director of counseling services.

“Viking CARES is more than a program, it’s a subunit of  Student Counseling Services that will provide a dedicated safe space for students in need of active recovery,” say Ms. Grandy. “Unlike past Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) programs, this dedicated safe space is a resource center that will provide drug and alcohol prevention and treatment services, community resources, and training initiatives to students, faculty, and staff.” 

Ms. Grandy says there will be a collegiate recovery community (CRC) coordinator who is a licensed professional addiction counselor with experience in treating substance and behavioral addictions. “Viking CARES will focus on various prevention initiatives, including educational and self-awareness programs with freshmen students, athletes, and non-traditional students,” she said.

Ms. Grandy says the Viking CARES mission is to provide prevention and treatment services to students, and to “contribute to the holistic wellness” of students in recovery. This will be done through professional and peer support, educational outreach, and substance abuse counseling. 

Students, Ms. Grandy says, will have support on campus, and in the community, if they choose. She says they will have the option to “engage in individual treatment and substance abuse psycho-educational/support groups” that meet on campus or be referred to off-campus resources. 

“Also, students will have access to medication support services off campus or virtual and access to local AA and NA meetings,” said Ms. Grandy. “Eventually, we would like to see AA and motivational groups on campus to support the Viking CARES mission.”

ECSU’s counseling services office is dedicated to a range of professional counseling and preventative services. Services adhere to the guidelines of professional, legal, and ethical standards according to state and federal statutes and by professional organizations. 

Ms. Grandy says counseling services and records are confidential. 

Counseling Services office is located in Griffin Hall. However, during COVID-19 social distancing protocols, services are being offered virtually. For more information about ECSU’s counseling services, contact their office at 252-335-3267, or visit their university webpage HERE.