Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration May 24, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announces a new opportunity for individuals and organizations to help prevent high-risk drinking among college students. Excessive and underage drinking among college students are significant public health problems on college and university campuses across the United States, which often result in life-altering consequences such as death, injury, assault, sexual abuse, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, academic difficulties, suicide attempts, and alcohol dependence. This challenge seeks technology-based products to decrease the acceptability of and engagement in high-risk drinking among college students. SAMHSA is seeking solutions to this problem through cost-effective, portable, technology-based products that effectively reach a diverse population of college students and their parents, as well as administrators, faculty, and staff, and that can be adapted to meet the local needs of these institutions throughout the United States. Technology-based products may include, but are not limited to, web applications, mobile apps, short message services (SMS), and podcasts. This challenge aligns with SAMHSA's mission to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. SAMHSA recognizes that preventing high-risk drinking among college students will save lives, improve academic success, and decrease other risks to students' health and safety. The statutory authority for this challenge competition is Section 105 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Reauthorization Act of 2010 (COMPETES Act).