NCJ Number
197867
Date Published
2002
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This videotape discusses the results of a study on the magnitude of excessive and high-risk drinking on college campuses in the United States.
Abstract
This study established a baseline on which to apply interventions to reduce drinking on college campuses. Multiple data sources were used including fatality analyses of Department of Transportation records, mortality statistics of the Centers for Disease Control, medical examiner records, and three national surveys. Results show that in 1998 over 1,400 alcohol-related unintentional injuries or deaths occurred. Over 1,100 students died. Of the 8 million college students in the United States, 27 percent drove under the influence of alcohol; 39 percent rode with a driver that had been drinking; 11 percent were injured because of drinking; and 8 percent had unprotected sex due to drinking. Two percent had sexual intercourse and were too intoxicated to consent. Thirteen percent were assaulted by someone that had been drinking. One and a half percent were a victim of sexual assault or date rape. Every unnatural death should be tested for alcohol. Comprehensive college and community partnerships are needed. Some factors that lead to drinking are student characteristics, developmental issues, and institutional factors -- what happens on campus. All factors need to be considered when looking at intervention strategies. Evidence-based interventions were classified into four groups and studied. The first group consisted of those strategies known to be effective, such as teaching students the skills needed to say no. The second group consisted of those strategies that were promising, such as regulating college schedules so that Fridays were just as important to be in class as the other weekdays. The third group consisted of strategies that were effective with other groups but could be applied to college students, such as increased enforcement and zero tolerance. The fourth group consisted of strategies that were ineffective, such as some educational measures. An organized effort on the part of college presidents, the community, parents, and students is needed.