April 8, 2015
This April is Alcohol Awareness Month, founded and sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) since 1987. This year’s theme is: “For the Health of It: Early Education on Alcoholism and Addiction.”
Alcohol use is a serious, complex issue. Research has shown that about two in five college students report binge drinking, defined as five or more drinks in a row for males and four or more drinks for females, in the previous two weeks. Binge drinking is associated with; alcohol poisoning, unintentional injuries, unprotected sex, sexual assault, legal and financial problems, academic failures and so much more.
Addressing this issue requires a sustained and cooperative effort between the campus and Whitewater community. The widespread prevalence of binge drinking and the negative consequences it creates remain a stubborn and destructive problem despite decades of efforts to combat it.
Yet, there are four areas that have proven to be effective in prevention of this problem:
1) Increased prices and excise taxes on alcoholic beverages;
2) Consistent enforcement of existing laws and regulations;
3) Changing cultural misconceptions and behaviors about alcohol use through education; and
4) Expanded access to treatment and recovery support for young adults and their families.
Studies reveal that alcohol consumption by people under the age of 25 results in brain damage – possibly permanent – and impairs intellectual development.
So, come to the next UW-W Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition meeting to help our efforts in reducing the burden of alcohol abuse among our campus & Whitewater community. The Coalition meets the third Tuesday of the month from 11a.m. to noon at University Health & Counseling Services in Room 2028. For more information, email [email protected].
Sincerely,
UW-W Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition:
Amanda Krentz
Natalie Pitroski
Faye Schouten
Terry Tumbarello
Whitney Henley
Lindsay Gustin
Joe Burkland
Kathy Craney
Amy Edmonds
Paul Gregory
Kate Ksobiech
James Meyers
Kristina Navarro
Ariel Powers-Schaub
Bill Oliver
Dave Vosburgh
Donna Williams
