STUDY AIMS AT DRUGS, ALCOHOL

Colleges Need To Take Stronger Steps To Curb The Abuse Of Substances
On Campus, Report Says

A report on college student alcohol and drug abuse released Thursday
calls on administrators to take a stronger stance against drinking
and drug use on campuses.

The report, "Wasting the Best and the Brightest: Substance Abuse at
America's Colleges," lays out a 10-point plan of action
administrators can follow to prevent and reduce student substance abuse.

The report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse,
at Columbia University, says excessive drinking in college is not a
rite of passage but rather a culture that has been allowed on many campuses.

It suggests that alcohol-free and drug-free campuses should be the
rule, not the exception, and that universities do such things as set
substance abuse policies with real consequences for violators and ban
smoking and drinking at sporting events. It also calls on communities
and parents to get involved.

Stopping college student drinking "is not solely the responsibility
of administrators," said Kim Dude, director of the University of
Missouri-Columbia Wellness Resource Center.

"Administrators can provide part of the solution, but a campus is not
an island," Dude said. "It is the responsibility, too, of families,
law enforcement, alumni and local businesses."

The 231-page report is billed as the most extensive examination ever
of substance abuse on the nation's college campuses. It says that
nearly half of America's full-time college students abuse alcohol
and/or prescription drugs or illegal drugs.

The national center surveyed 2,000 students, 400 college
administrators and analyzed six national studies to compile the
report, which updates one done in 1993.

The report states that from 1993 to 2005, the proportion of students
who drink dipped only slightly, from 70 percent to 68 percent. The
percentage of students who binge drink remained steady at 40 percent.
But the proportion of students who binge drink frequently rose 16
percent between 1993 and 2001. And nearly 23 percent of college
students meet the medical criteria for substance abuse or dependence,
nearly triple the proportion in the general population.

The report defines "binge drinking" as having five or more drinks on
any one drinking occasion over a two-week period.

Bill Arck, director of alcohol and other drug educational services at
Kansas State University, questioned the report's definition of binge
drinking. K-State campus surveys answered anonymously showed that
more than 50 percent of students drink "moderately and responsibly,"
and 20 percent don't drink at all, he said. The other 30 percent of
the respondents report excessive drinking.

"What has historically been a binge is many hours and can be over a
day or two," Arck said.

University administrators in Missouri and Kansas said they have many
programs to make students aware of the consequences of alcohol and
drug abuse, including classes and lectures. Drinking is prohibited in
dorms and at most athletic events at K-State, the University of
Kansas, the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of
Missouri-Kansas City.

Campus surveys are conducted annually to determine student behavior
trends and help fashion programs to counter risky ones.

"We are educating students as much as we can so that they can make
better decisions," said Mel Tyler, interim vice chancellor for
student affairs at UMKC.

He said all students under 21 at University of Missouri system
campuses receive a letter "explaining our interest in helping them
stay alcohol- and drug-free." UMKC also notifies parents when
students have been caught twice violating the no-alcohol policy in
dormitories. Students can be expelled for excessive violations.

Dude said universities' efforts to stop drinking and drug abuse are paying off.

"More than 75 percent of MU's students make responsible decisions as
they relate to drinking," she said.

But despite universities' efforts, students say there is no way to
stop drinking and drug use either on campus or off campus.

"I think one reason students drink is because they are not engaged in
other college activities," said Paul Tran, a third-year medical
student at UMKC and president of the Intrafraternity Council.

Fraternities and sororities say they are making an effort to at least
make sure students don't go to parties, get drunk and get injured.

At K-State, for example, fraternities and sororities have to inform
the Greek life office if they are throwing a party and pledge to
follow safety guidelines, said Zach Hauser, 23, a political science
major from Lenexa and Intrafraternity Council president.

Students must bring their own alcohol and wear colored wrist bands if
they are old enough to drink. Door monitors make sure no one drives
drunk, and food and nonalcoholic beverages must be served.

"I think what administrators are doing now is about all they can do,"
Tran said.

"Students are not going to be very receptive unless the message comes
from other students rather than administrators or even from speakers
on campus."

For the complete report, go to http://www.casa.columbia.org.
Recommendations to reduce college student substance abuse:

*Set clear substance use policies and consequences for violations.

*Ban smoking; prohibit alcohol and tobacco ads, sponsorships and
promotions on campus; ban alcohol in dorms, in most common areas, at
on-campus student parties and at college sporting events.

*Screen all students for substance abuse problems; target high-risk
students and times; provide needed intervention and treatment.

*Hold student classes and exams Monday through Friday to reduce
weekend substance abuse.

*Educate faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni about substance
abuse and involve them in prevention activities.

*Engage students in service learning courses and community service.

*Offer substance-free recreational opportunities.

*Include in the curricula information about substance abuse and addiction.

*Engage community partners in prevention, enforcement, intervention
and treatment.

*Monitor rates and consequences of student substance use and evaluate
and improve programs and services.

Source: The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at
Columbia University