Spring Break
Display offers glimpse of DUI death
Contributed by MEGAN SUMMERS
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Its effects especially are relevant this week, as the University community participates in National Collegiate Alcohol Aware-ness Week, which is spon-sored by Advocating Safe Alternatives for Peers (ASAP).
ASAP is a student organization dedicated to making students more aware of the consequences of alcohol abuse.
"Some people may mistake ASAP as advocating a prohibitionist message," said ASAP President Grant Hawkins in a written statement. "That's not the case at all. We merely want people to stay safe."
The problem of binge drinking is growing everywhere, including the University.
In 2001, 283 alcohol or drug related offenses were reported, according to the University Police Depart-ment Web site (www.ps.uga.edu). This is about a 67 percent increase over the year 2000.
"Colleges with a strong intercollegiate athletic program and a large fraternity and sorority system usually have high drinking levels," said CAS Director and Harvard social psychologist Henry Wechsler.
The CAS is an "ongoing survey of over 14,000 students at 120 four-year colleges in 40 states," according to the CAS Web site (www.harvard.edu/cas).
"Heavy or binge drinking is widespread on college campuses and causes problems for drinkers, as well as for others on campus," Wechsler said.
Two out of every five college students regularly binge drink, according to the CAS.
The University is making strides in that direction.
There is local help available, said Michael Shutt, an employee of the University Health Services who specializes in alcohol abuse awareness.
The University Health Center offers informational videos, brochures, fact sheets and even a class dedicated to the issue of binge drinking.
"In addition, health educators work with student organizations, campus administrators and community leaders to create a healthier environment in Athens," Shutt said.
Karen Powers, the CAS project manager, said the problem now is becoming more of an issue.
"Even though binge drinking has been going on for years and years, it is a serious problem that ruins college careers," she said.
Binge drinking can cause numerous problems for college students, Shutt said.
Increased freedom, free time and the more prominent nature of drinking on campus make college students more prone to binge drinking, he said.
Despite its many side effects, binge drinking is dangerous because many students justify their behavior and never realize that they have a serious problem, he said.
"If we believe that everyone is drinking a lot, a person may then believe that as long as he or she is not drinking as much, it is OK," he said.
Students who binge drink regularly suffer physically, mentally and academically, Shutt said.
"There is a direct correlation between alcohol use and grades. As drinking increases, grades decrease," he said.
Wechsler said the most surprising discovery to come from the study is "the low price and easy availability of large amounts of alcohol and the way that this is advertised and marketed."
Powers said what surprised her the most is that "in the last four years, the intensity has increased. More people are drinking to get drunk."
Through its surveying, data collection and numerous publications concerning binge drinking, the CAS is trying to remedy the college drinking problem while urging universities to create some solutions of their own, Shutt said.
The study is completely anonymous, Powers said, and conducted entirely by undergraduate students who have an interest in alcohol-related issues.
The study was released in 1993, 1997, 1999 and most recently in 2001. Wechsler said the next study is expected to come out in 2003.
