Once a year a new group of young adults join the ranks of the free, breaking out of their parent’s nest to explore the world on their own and join other young people on college campuses. Partying and having a good time with friends and fellow students is a part of the college experience. But being aware and having the knowledge to make safe choices while having fun is much more rewarding.
Unfortunately, some college students are much more likely than others to drink irresponsibly. 1,700 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including vehicle related (collegedrinkingprevention.gov). To prevent alcohol related tragedies, especially on college campuses or to students partying off of campus, providing students information to help make safer decisions and become more responsible is a great way to help limit tragedy.
This web site provides some simple and effective information that all college students can use when consuming alcohol.
SOBERING STATISTICS:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is the leading cause of fatal traffic collisions in California
- In 2005 in California, over 1,000 people were killed and over 22,800 people were injured as a result of a DUI collision
- In 2005, over 180,000 people in California were arrested for DUI
- A conviction for DUI can cost you about $7,000 or more in insurance costs, court fees, lost wages, etc.
CONSIDER THIS:
- Drinking is an option.
- Intoxication seriously impairs your physical and mental abilities and makes you an easy target for becoming a victim.
- Drinking impairs your ability to make good decisions concerning safety.
- People who are under the influence of alcohol often do dangerous or illegal things which sober people would never consider.
- If you drink, don't drive - always designate a sober driver or consider alternative methods of transportation.
- Alcoholism is a disease; if you or someone close to you needs help, contact the University Counseling Center, the Klotz Student Health Center or the University Police Department.
(International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, Crime Prevention Resources-Personal Safety Tips)
Your Body's Ability to Process Alcohol Depends on:
- gender
- body weight
- number of drinks consumed and the pace at which you consume them
- food intake (prior to drinking)
- amount of sleep you've had
- pre-existing medical conditions
Tips for Planning an Event & Safe Partying:
Remember that the purpose of a party should be to get people together for a fun time. Be very careful how alcohol is introduced into these situations!
- Observe campus policies and all applicable laws regarding purchase, possession and consumption of alcohol.
- If you are a member of a fraternity or sorority, become very familiar with your chapter and Greek system's alcohol policy and follow it.
- Have a theme or some sort of activity that gives people the option of doing something other than drinking. Also, don't assume that everyone who comes wants to drink.
- Provide plenty of snacks to slow down alcohol absorption, and have non-alcoholic drinks readily available for those who do not wish to drink or who want to cut themselves off sometime during your party.
- Do not serve guests who are intoxicated. If they overdose on alcohol or hurt themselves or someone else, YOU could be held liable for the consequences.
- Remember that drinking games can be vary dangerous because they encourage heavy drinking, often in a very short period of time. Discourage these games, or outright ask people not to play them at your party.
- Know how to deal with an intoxicated guest. As a host, you should always stay sober and have some sober friends help in case of an emergency.
- Always arrange safe transportation for someone who is intoxicated. Covering the cost of a cab ride home is well worth saving a life. Even being "buzzed" can mean someone has drank too much to drive safely.
- Make your guests safety your top priority. A responsible host looks for any potentially dangerous situations; such as a person who is violent; a female guest who may not feel safe; an intoxicated person who may get hurt; and responds appropriately.
As a guest:
- IF drinking is your option, plan ahead. Set a limit and stick to it.
- If you drink, don't drive -always designate a sober driver or consider alternative methods of transportation.
- Avoid drinking games. Although intoxication is often the 'goal' of the game you may end up consuming more alcohol than your body can handle.
- Know how much you are drinking. Mixed drinks may contain more than one serving depending on who is making the drink.
- Use the buddy system. Stick with a friend and make sure you look after each other.This is often easier if you decide not to drink.
(Source:The BACCHUS & GAMMA Peer Education Network)
Legal Points:
- It is illegal to service someone who is under age (21).
- It is illegal to be drunk and disorderly in a public place.
- There is a zero tolerance for drinking and driving if you are a minor.
- It is illegal to drive a vehicle if your blood alcohol level exceeds .08.
- "Legal limits" do not define a level below which it is safe to operate a motor vehicle or engage in some other activity. Impairment due to alcohol (or other drugs) begins to occur at levels well below the legal limit.
Driving Under the Influence:
What Happens if You’re Stopped?
If you are stopped, be prepared to show your driver license, your proof of insurance and vehicle registration. If you are asked by a peace officer to submit to a chemical test to determine your alcohol content and you refuse, your driver license will automatically be suspended for one year. Punishment for DUI varies depending on the number of convictions, amount of alcohol in your system and the nature of your driving at the time you were stopped.
1st Offense:
- Up to $1,000 fine
- Four to six months in jail
- Suspension of driver license for four months to one year
- Probation for 3-5 years
2nd Offense:
- Up to $1,000 fine
- 90 days to 1 year in jail
- Suspension of driver license for 1-2 years
- Probation for 3-5 years
3rd Offense:
- Up to $1,000 fine
- 120 days to 1 year in jail
- Suspension of driver license for 2-3 years
- Probation for 3-5 years
Underage Drinking and Driving:
If you are under 21, it is illegal for you to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in your system.
If you are under 21 here is what will happen to you the first time you are stopped for drinking and driving:
- Mandatory one year suspension of your driver license.
- Proof of financial responsibility for three years.
- $125 fee for re-issuance of your driver license.
That’s called zero tolerance-that means zero alcohol!
If you are under 21, and have a breath or blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, you will be arrested. You will have the same one year suspension with increased fines and jail time.
(Courtesy of the California Highway Patrol, California 2007 Road tips)
Help & Resources:
If you think alcohol is causing problems for you or any of your friends, do something about it. Seek out someone you trust and discuss how you can best confront the situation and make the changes necessary to get things back on track. Don't be afraid to speak to a counselor. For more information on helpful resources see below.
On-Campus:
University Police
Emergency: 911 (From a campus phone)
OR (818) 677-2111 (or from a cell phone)
Non-emergency: (818) 677-2111 (or from a cell phone)
Brochure: "What College Students Should Know About the Dangers of Irresponsible Drinking Behavior"
University Counseling Services
(818) 677-2366 * (818) 677-7834 (TTY)
(818) 677-3666 * (818) 677-3692 (TTY)
Klotz Student Health Center Wellness Coach - Janis Martin, Ch, CDS
Free private appointments (818) 677-3658
(818) 349-HELP (4357)
6:00 PM to 12:00 AM Sunday-Thursday
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Friday/Saturday
ALL CASES ARE CONFIDENTIAL
To request an alcohol awareness program for your group, call the Department of Police Services Crime Prevention & Community Relations Unit at:
Off-Campus
Alcoholics Anonymous (Local meeting information)
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership.
Alcohol, peer pressure and underage drinking info for young teens
B4UDrink Educator - Interactive Virtual Bar:
B4UDrink Educator is a program which educates the user about how alcohol consumption affects an individual's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level. The program allows users to project their BAC level based on gender, weight, and the type and number of drinks consumed.
Distilleries Fighting Drunk Driving & Underage Drinking
College Drinking - Changing the Culture
Research about alcohol and college drinking prevention
Just the facts on alcohol and other drug. Brought to you by a generous grant from MetLife Foundation.
Dedicated to the memory of Gordie Bailey, who was an 18-year old freshman at the University of Colorado who died of alcohol poisoning as a result of a fraternity initiation ceremony for pledges on September 17, 2004.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Phone: 1-800-GET-MADD (438-6233) or
Victim Services 24-Hour Helpline
1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
NIAAA provides leadership in the national effort to reduce alcohol-related problems
Honors the memory of Samantha Spady, a 19-year old student at Colorado State University, who died of alcohol poisoning on September 5, 2004.
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
The Locator is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's online searchable directory of alcohol and drug abuse programs located around the country.
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
SADD’s Mission is to provide students with the best prevention and intervention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving and other destructive decisions.
For more information on any of the listed topics, or to request a presentation for a group, organization or staff/faculty meeting, please contact:
Christina Villalobos, University Police Public Relations
(818) 677-7922 or christina.villalobos@csun.edu