Binge drinking is a major college health issue affecting everyone

Binge drinking is a major college health problem nationwide and is defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women in a row, one time, within a two-week time frame. Many students at Oberlin have experienced firsthand the impact of alcohol abuse. For example, binge drinking increases the odds of experiencing some forms of violence by a factor of 3.5; of unwanted sexual intercourse by 3.0; of other unwanted intimate contact by 2.0. Approximately 70 percent (Core Study) and 90 percent (Columbia Commission) of campus rapes are related to drinking. Furthermore, nearly three percent of the American college population will die from alcohol-related causes.

Like secondhand smoke, secondhand binge drinking is a significant problem on many campuses, especially for students who don't drink but have to deal with the drinking problems and behaviors of other students. Obviously, the problem of high-risk drinking is deeply interwoven in fundamental aspects of culture. Moreover, on many campuses there can be a lack of consensus about messages, questions and interventions.

New approaches to prevention do exist. Prohibition is not the answer for many colleges, but instead takes the focus off of alcohol by creating strong networks of students, faculty, staff and community members interested in facilitating sustainable change. Participation and involvement is key, as well as moving beyond information and awareness and into a community change model. While this sounds overwhelming, it is essential to continue the task. It is important as well to highlight and support those students at Oberlin College who reflect the norm of moderation with alcohol and other drug use. For example, almost two-thirds (61 percent) of college students in the United States drink moderately or not at all.

What can you do? Join a committee to promote an environment conducive to low-risk drinking, injury risk, and abstention. Support current campus efforts to reduce factors in the environment that encourage alcohol and drug abuse. Encourage local campus bars and events to include responsible beverage service. Promote alcohol-free residence halls. Ask your RC to schedule alcohol and other drug educational sessions. Call the Counseling Center for individual help with alcohol(x8470). Assess your campus alcohol policy. Confront unwanted behavior or activity from your peers.

How can you help a friend who has had too much to drink? Learn to recognize the common signs of alcohol poisoning such as not responding when being talked to or pinched, vomiting while asleep or passed out, not waking up after vomiting, bluish skin or skin that appears flushed, etc. Place your friend on his/her side to reduce risk of choking on vomit. Call 911. Call Campus Safety and Security (x8444). Call Student Health Service's 24-hour nurse line at 1-800-322-9679. If you would like to receive information about binge drinking and signs of alcohol poisoning, please leave a message at the Wellness Center or visit our web site www.oberlin.edu/~health.

(Statistics from the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study, 1997).

-Lori Morgan-Flood is health education and wellness coordinator for Student Healt