Officials tackle binge drinking

Binge drinking has been a worry on IU officials' minds and a staple for many students. But the University is working to change that image.\nIU has implemented educational programs, scheduled non-alcohol-related events and imposed new consequences on students in the past few years to curb the drinking problems.\nA Harvard College Alcohol Study reported that 44 percent of college-aged students participate in binge drinking on a weekly basis. According to a recent IU student survey, 54 percent of students on the Bloomington campus participate in binge drinking, said Dean of Students Richard McKaig. \nBinge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks on one occasion.\nMcKaig associated the higher statistic with the area of the country in which IU is located, noting that the Midwest has the second highest level of binge drinking.\n"The biggest problems with binge drinking are health and safety," McKaig said. "Most reports of victims of accidents, fights and assaults are related to situations where someone has had too much to drink."\nAccording to the U.S. Dept. of Health's Web site, the most common physical consequences of binge drinking are vomiting, unconsciousness and slow or irregular breathing. It is also associated with loss of control, which can lead to potentially harmful behavior. \nIU clinical psychologist Dr. Walt Keller said there is often an inverse relationship between the amount a student drinks and their grades.\nJunior Billy Henry, who was tailgating before the IU-Kentucky football game, said his partying has affected his schoolwork more than once.\n"You forget things like setting your alarm clock or homework," Henry said. "I've missed obligations that were required before when I didn't wake up in time."\nDrinking too much might also lead to disciplinary action. \nStudents who are caught violating campus alcohol policies are given a citation and must face a campus judicial hearing. If found responsible for the drinking charges, students must take an online assessment survey and meet with Keller.\nAs part of the "Successfully Managing Alcohol Responsibly and Together" program, Keller then evaluates the student to determine the student's alcohol tendencies and attitudes toward drinking. \nWith the SMART program, Keller said he hopes to change students' outlook on nightlife in Bloomington. Launched last March, the pilot study is a non-intrusive "coaching" process that allows students to gain insight into their drinking tendencies.\nKeller said he then sends students to the Student Activities Desk to find non-drinking social options.\n"Students think that everything else is boring compared to the rush of binge drinking," Keller said. "They have the attitude that if you aren't drinking, you aren't cool."\nAlternative weekend activities for students to participate in instead of drinking are very important, McKaig said. University funding is often provided to student groups with alcohol-free programming, such as the Friday Nights at the Indiana Memorial Union presented by Union Board. The SRSC's late hours and late night intramurals also provide students with other choices.\n"It's not a lack of resources, it's a lack of awareness of what else there is to do." Keller said. \nOther ongoing efforts by the University to curb binge drinking focus on education. By providing a multi-prong approach which includes educational alcohol awareness programming, peer educators and social marketing to point out the dangers of drinking, University officials hope students can become more aware of the dangers.\nMcKaig said one proposed plan is to focus on those who have just turned 21. The message McKaig said he hopes to send to those celebrating their first "legal" birthday is to be safe and careful.\nHenry said the purpose of going out is not always to binge drink, but students often find themselves unable to stop. \n"Sometimes you go to have a few," Henry said. "But you have a few too many." \n-- Contact assistant design chief Jen Hiatt at jmhiatt@indiana.edu.