Gadsden, AL –
Gadsden State Community College has officially launched its new Alcohol and Drug Awareness Course, an initiative designed to educate college students about the risks and consequences of substance use. The program began with its kickoff session on September 23, 2025, at 1 p.m. in Helderman Hall on the Wallace Drive Campus. The College also announced plans to expand the course into K–12 schools throughout its service area later this year.
The program is a collaboration between the Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation, the Police/Public Safety Department, and the Health Sciences Division. Thanks to funding from the Cardinal Foundation, the College has secured educational tools that provide interactive learning experiences on the dangers of impaired decision-making.
Among the resources are Alcohol and THC goggles, which simulate impaired vision, delayed reaction times, and loss of coordination caused by substance use. Students are also introduced to the Fatal Vision Roadster, a pedal kart that simulates impaired driving. Combined with field sobriety tests and legal education, these tools create realistic and impactful demonstrations.
Hilary Folsom, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations and representative of the Cardinal Foundation, said the initiative underscores the foundation’s commitment to community health and safety. Joey Battles, dean of Health Sciences, emphasized the program’s proactive role in promoting wellness and prevention, while Jay Freeman, Gadsden State’s Chief of Police/Public Safety, described the effort as “about saving lives” by showing the dangers of impaired driving in ways that go beyond statistics.
The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Course is now underway on Gadsden State campuses, with outreach to K–12 schools scheduled to follow in the coming months.
