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College Campuses Look To Reduce Binge Drinking

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Feb 27, 2008 5:57 pm US/Central

College Campuses Look To Reduce Binge Drinking

(WCCO) College campuses throughout Minnesota are looking for ways to reduce the number of students who are binge drinking.

Minnesota State Mankato is motivated in a very emotional way after the death of student Amanda Jax, who died after a night of binging on her 21st birthday.

That tragedy is prompting calls for change in Mankato.

The city cracked down on bars that offer drink specials. The city also shut down the bar where Amanda Jax spent her last night.

Many said the closure is a good start but it's not enough for community leaders who are searching for new ways to tackle binge drinking. That's why 300 people took part in a high risk drinking summit where one expert explained a possible factor in the alcohol-related deaths of several Minnesota college kids recently.

"Now what we're seeing is more young people drinking harder alcohol ... and it might have a lot to do with the fact that now they're flavored and you can't tell how much you're drinking," said Dr. Susanne Williams, Assistant to the President, Minnesota State-Moorhead.

Dr. Susanne Williams leads the effort to reduce binging at Minnesota State Moorhead and the program is seeing results.

Moorhead freshman must take an online alcohol education class. Another campaign tells students how many of their classmates don't drink or just drink moderately.

Williams offered ideas but was reminded of challenges.

"We've been told so many different things about it that now some kids are kind of tuning it out," said Alicia Woods, a high school student who doesn't drink alcohol. She attended out of concern for the issue that is affecting her peers.

A college student who was taking part on a discussion panel said that he worries that for some students, a keg is cheap, easy entertainment that can't be replaced.

It's the kind of campus tradition, Williams said must change.

"A tragic death could happen at any moment in any community," she said.

In a national survey, the Upper Midwest was identified as the region with the highest risk drinking among students. Minnesota ranks 13th in the nation in that category.




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