UF SURVEY GAUGES STUDENTS' ALCOHOL, DRUG USE

A random survey of 1,000 University of Florida students shows most
students are moderate drinkers, downing four or fewer beers or mix
drinks, for example, when they decide to drink, according to recently
released survey results.

About one in five don't drink alcohol at all.

But 20 percent are frequent binge drinkers, said Tavis Glassman,
coordinator of alcohol and drug prevention at GatorWell Health
Promotion Services.

People often overestimate the prevalence of the binge drinking group,
and have the incorrect perception that college and drinking are
intertwined, Glassman said. But this group is prone to alcohol-related
car accidents, either committing or being the victim of sexual
assaults and flunking out of school.

"Those who binge drink are at highest risk for experiencing
consequences, and the data indicates that," he said.

The survey was sent out by e-mail in the fall with the goal of
gleaning the drug and alcohol habits of students. The results closely
mirror responses from previous years. The survey results usually come
out every two years although responses may change over a five-to
10-year period, Glassman said.

One example of such a change is the drastic drop of marijuana use at
UF, from 28 percent in 1997 to 19 percent in 2005.

"This reflects a nationwide trend," Glassman said.

In 2004, the survey indicated a peak in reported binge drinking, but
Glassman speculates the change may be because it was the first time
the survey was conducted in the fall instead of spring semester.

"Students drink more in the fall, whether it be because of football
season, hurricane parties or people rushing to join sororities and
fraternities," he said.

Since UF President Bernie Machen made it a priority to crack down on
excessive alcohol use a year ago, the university spearheaded community
efforts to draw attention to the problem. The Community Alcohol
Commission was formed and is made up of representatives of the
university, the city, local law enforcement and owners of local
college hangouts.

According to Glassman, combined efforts have resulted in UF becoming
the first school from the SEC to endorse the Campaign for Alcohol-Free
Sports, which prevents the advertisement of alcohol at UF games.

The university also canceled a radio show featuring young women
getting drunk on the air. The show had played on UF's radio station.
And the university has helped provide more options to students who
choose to socialize soberly.

UF senior Jessica Rothering said she goes out almost every week and
doesn't drink alcohol.

"I just don't need to drink to have fun," Rothering
said.

Other students see drinking as an integral part of college social
activities.

"What's a tailgate party without a few beers?" said Jay Goodwin, a
junior at UF.

Whatever the attitude, a number of campus and Gainesville community
organizations have dedicated themselves to encouraging responsible
drinking behavior.

Jill Varnes, former chair of the campus alcohol committee, said it's
important to encourage students of drinking age to be responsible and
discourage those under 21 from drinking at all. "Underage students
need to know that there are legal ramifications as well as health,"
she said.

This fall, an online course designed to educate students about alcohol
use will be mandatory for incoming freshman.

"It's a good course because it asks students about their behaviors and
provides information based on those behaviors," Varnes said.

Administrators haven't decided how to ensure that all students take
the course, but Varnes said the discussion is leaning toward putting a
hold on the records of the students who haven't completed the course
so they can't register for spring classes.

According to Gwen Love, a chairwoman on a local substance abuse
coalition, it's important that representatives from the federal, state
and local levels work together to prevent substance abuse.

"Prevention is not as hard as treatment," she said. "You've got to
plant seeds and watch them grow."