After reading the recent article “Does Eagle County drink too much?” I wanted to offer a resource for Eagle County residents. I’m a health educator for a program called SBIRT (screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment) Colorado. SBIRT Colorado treats alcohol and drug use like the preventable healthcare issue it is and considers the health consequences people experience, offering the opportunity to improve their overall health. SBIRT Colorado provides screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment through universal health screenings.

Currently, Eagle County is one of eight locations in Colorado that provides the SBIRT approach. We feel that by implementing universal screenings it will create awareness about one of the top preventable health issues — substance use. In fact, the SBIRT approach has been proven successful in terms of changing behavior to improve health and quality of life. These screenings can also help in reducing criminal activity such as, as the article mentioned, the high rate of DUI cases in Eagle County.

In addressing the “drinking” lifestyle Eagle County has, I think it’s important to note that men should not consume more than four drinks in one sitting and no more than 14 drinks per week. Women should not consume more than three drinks in one sitting and no more than seven drinks per week. Even though these are the standard guidelines, less consumption is always better. These guidelines are important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing risky alcohol and other drug use behavior before it leads to abuse or addiction.

To learn more about SBIRT Colorado visit www.improvinghealthcolorado.com.