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Prevention Works!

Developing Alcohol Prevention Policies for College Students

Fesearch has shown that alcohol consumption among college-age students, particularly freshmen, increases at the start of the academic year. This may be due to peer pressure and wanting to be accepted by a new social group, increased expectations of academic performance, or, for many, testing the limits of independence for the first time. According to two national surveys, 83 percent of college students have said that they drink alcohol, and another 44 percent of all undergraduates reported that they have participated in binge drinking, where they have five or more drinks at any one time.

To ensure a safe and productive academic year, college administrators, teachers, and staff should work with students to develop universal policies that address the consumption of alcohol on campus and at school-related activities. In addition, student groups, such as fraternities and sororities, should be included in policy-making decisions, as many of their parent organizations already have alcohol policies in place that can help guide the development process. Further assistance can be obtained from the Inter-Fraternity Council and the Pan Hellenic Council.

Key Points in Creating Campus Policies

Because many problems—including violence, rape, sexually transmitted diseases, death from alcohol poisoning, accidents, and academic failure—have been associated with alcohol use on American campuses, creating policies that outline guidelines for alcohol consumption will give students the framework upon which to build successful and productive experiences during each semester. Campus policies should include the following key principles:

1. The availability of alcohol on or near campus. Where are students buying alcohol? For those under the age of 21, how easy is it to buy alcohol? Is it being served on campus, or must students go off campus to buy alcohol? Campus policies can be developed that directly target specific issues:
   • Ban alcohol industry sponsorship of college activities, especially concerts and sporting events.
   • Limit college newspaper advertising of alcohol products.
   • Do not allow uncontrolled sampling of alcohol as part of campus marketing programs.
   • Limit places and times for drinking.
   • Identify locations where alcohol beverages are permitted to be possessed, served, and consumed by students of legal age. Pay particular attention to activities and services that aggressively promote alcohol consumption through such marketing techniques as dollar-a-pitcher, happy hour, one price/all you can drink, etc.
   • Develop strategies that target underage drinking for prevention.
   • Enlist the cooperation of outside vendors.
   • Publicize rules and consequences of violating alcohol policies.
2. Provide alternative activities to drinking. By changing the campus environment, policies can take the emphasis off drinking and place it on developing social relationships and participating in athletic activities. Such activities may include:
   • Expanding recreational activities for nights and weekends.
   • Keeping campus facilities open.
   • Including alcohol-free drinks at all events at prices competitive with alcohol or cheaper.
   • Providing smoke-free environments in campus dormitories and cafeterias.
   • Providing alcohol-free events.
3. Offer Alcohol Awareness Education. Alcohol is a key factor in academic and social problems on American campuses. Students should be educated on the link between alcohol and vandalism, date rape, poor academic performance, injuries, and death. In addition to providing alcohol and drug use publications and materials, specific policies may encourage:
   • Art students, student athletes, and campus media to assist in the dissemination of prevention messages.
   • A campus-wide physical education program.
   • Students and teachers to incorporate the discussion of college drinking problems into their studies.
   • Providing health fairs and workshops that specifically address alcohol use and its consequences.
   • Continuing education that targets freshmen throughout the school year.
   • The development of specific resources on campus that will provide confidential assistance to students who need help with alcohol and drug problems.

Sources:
The Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, College Commission Report-1994.
Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Issues. What Can YOU Do?, The National Symposium on Campus Alcohol Practices, April 28-29, 1998.
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, Making Prevention Work: Actions for Colleges and Universities, NCADI #MPW013, Spring 1995.

For more information, visit SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information Web site at http://ncadi.samhsa.gov or call toll-free 1-800-729-6686. # # #

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PREVENTIONAlert is supported by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and may be copied without permission with appropriate citation. For information about PREVENTIONAlert, please contact CSAP by phone (301) 443-0581 or e-mail gensley@samhsa.gov

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