Students' Misperceptions on Alcohol and Drug use Targeted

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - What students think they know about alcohol and drug use is rarely accurate, according to surveys on the University of Arkansas campus.

While the exact cause or causes are yet to be determined in the recent loss of student Bradley Barrett Kemp, his passing has raised student awareness of the peril associated with alcohol and drug use. University health officers are redoubling their efforts to reach students while their attention is focused by this tragedy.

"We surveyed 936 students in March of this year as part of an annual study," said Ed Mink, director of health promotion and education at the UA Health Center. "Among those students, the perceptions were that more than 90 percent of students on the UA campus used alcohol once a week and that 55 percent of UA students participated in illegal drug use weekly, if not more.

"The reality is that far fewer students participate in such behavior than is commonly perceived," Mink said. "Our findings showed that, among those polled students, actual reports of binge drinking within a 30-day period was 45.7 percent, and reported use of drugs, specifically marijuana, in the last 30 days was 15.2 percent."

According to a separate survey, the fall 2003 National College Health Assessment on the University of Arkansas campus, 45.5 percent of students polled self-reported using alcohol between one and nine days during a 30-day period, and 8.4 percent said they used drugs, specifically marijuana, between one and nine days during a 30-day period.

"Part of our work to bring those percentages and numbers lower is helping students understand that excessive alcohol use and drug use are not as prevalent as they might imagine on campus. The majority of students do not engage in these practices, and it isn't socially attractive to do so," Mink said. "Everybody isn't doing it."

According to the 2002 Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 31 percent of college students polled nationally met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence.

"Many students begin their collegiate careers unaware of the potential perils present with the abuse of alcohol and drugs," said Johnetta Cross Brazzell, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. "It is imperative that the University of Arkansas continues doing everything in its power to educate and inform its student body about these dangers."

"The University of Arkansas maintains a multilayered approach in its efforts to reach all students and inform them of the dangers of substance abuse," said Dean of Students Sue Borrego. "Educational programs are currently under way through the Health Center, the Office of Greek Life and University Housing. Those efforts are coordinated through the Campus and Community Coalition on Alcohol."

The Coalition on Alcohol, currently led by Mary Alice Serafini, assistant vice chancellor for Student Affairs and director of the UA Health Center, also includes local health officials; law enforcement representatives; Borrego; representatives of Greek Life, Residents' Interhall Congress, intramural and recreation professionals, and housing officials.

"It is important that we remain proactive when informing students of the dangers existing in alcohol and drug abuse," said Serafini. "As a group, we are part of a greater strategic plan in the state of Arkansas to address issues of enforcement, risk reduction and environmental factors that lead to substance abuse."

Mink, of the health center, said all educational programs rely heavily on student feedback when developing programs and events that provide alternatives to drinking and drug use. According to Mink, those suggestions have resulted in programs such as extended hours at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) building and the creation of Friday Night Live, a series of on-campus programs and events scheduled for late hours Friday nights.

Scott Walter, associate dean of students and director of Greek Life, encouraged students involved in Greek organizations to take part in substance-abuse educational. Greek Life prohibits the use of alcohol at all recruitment activities during formal rush events and sponsors speakers on alcohol-related issues. Past guests have ranged from nationally known figures to local law enforcement representatives.

"Reaching these students and warning them of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse is a key goal in the Office of Greek Life," said Walter. "Through proper training, such as educational retreats and open forum roundtable discussions, we communicate the message of potential liabilities and dangers that exist in substance abuse."

Through University Housing, the message is brought to students residing on campus through posting of information and participation in informational programming with other UA offices.

"The Office of University Housing and its staff are dedicated to the service of informing students about any type of high-risk behavior," said Flo Johnson, interim director of University Housing. "We regularly work with the UA Health Center and UAPD to inform our students of the dangers of high-risk behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse."

Programming exemplifying the kind of information available throughout the year will be offered next week as part of the university's participation in Alcohol Awareness Week Oct. 18-22. Scheduled events include:

Alcohol Awareness Week 2004 (AAW)

Monday, October 18, 2004 (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)

Exhibition Day Kick Off to AAW

o For the Record (stating UA facts)

o Commitment Wall

o Alcohol Information

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

o Alcohol Jeopardy

o Commitment Wall

o UAPD with Go Carts and Beer Goggles 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, October 20, 2004 (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.)

o RESPECT (Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought)

o Commitment Wall

o For the Record (stating UA facts)

Thursday, October 21, 2004 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

o Commitment Wall Speaker