Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention of College Students (BASICS) is an alcohol abuse prevention program for 18-24 year olds who drink heavily and have experienced or are at risk for alcohol-related problems such as academic failure, social conflicts, accidents, sexual assault, or violence. It is delivered in the form of two motivational interviewing sessions. It has so far been shown to reduced drinking and alcohol-related consequences in two randomized controlled trials conducted at the University of Washington. In the first it was as effective as a six-week Alcohol Skills Training Program class with results measured in a two-year follow-up. In the second, it was significantly more effective than an assessment-only control group in reducing both drinking and alcohol-related harm.

Basics is a Blueprints Promising Program.