BINGE DRINKERS AT COLLEGES ARE OFTEN UNDERAGE

A high percentage of college binge drinkers are white males under the legal
drinking age of 21 who find cheap or free alcohol at fraternity parties or
local bars, according to a new study by the Harvard School of Public Health.

``Students today come to college expecting to drink,'' said Henry Wechsler,
director of Harvard's College Alcohol Studies Program. ``They think that's
what you're supposed to do in college, and they find plenty of ways to do
it.''

Researchers found that underage students either have older friends buy for
them or frequent local bars and on-campus parties where they can buy beers
for as little as $1 each.

The study, to be released today, found students who are over 21 tend to
drink more often, but underage drinkers are more likely to binge.

Helen Stubbs, a spokeswoman for the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and
Other Drug Prevention, said harsh penalties are needed for older people who
provide young people with alcohol, and the owners of bars that regularly
serve young drinkers.