Spring Break
Region tops in nation for underage drinking
Western Wisconsin has highest rates in nation, university 10 percent above national average, according to study
Nicole Strittmater
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
During the first day of classes this semester, a Hot Chocolate Challenge took place outside the bookstore.
Fighting the frigid temperatures outside may have been the reason for the drink selection but not the moral of the activity.
Sponsored by the Center for Alcohol Studies and Education (CASE), the group asked students to pour what they thought was a standard mixed drink.
CASE director Jennifer Lee said the event surprised a lot of students.
"People were thinking they had one drink but really had four … some as many as seven," she said.
Throughout the semester Lee said the university and community try to raise awareness and educate students about the dangers of drinking and how to drink responsibly.
Nationwide underage drinking data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows Western Wisconsin has the highest rates in the nation, said Jean Christenson, alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention coordinator for the Eau Claire area school district.
In 2005, costs related to underage drinking totaled $1.2 billion statewide and $26.4 million in Eau Claire county, said Francie Peardon, community health educator and supervisor for the Eau Claire county health department.
"I think the cost data is a little surprising," Peardon said. "But I think until we see it, we don't always know."
Christenson said the Consortium for Substance Abuse Prevention for Eau Claire County, which includes several agencies and organizations in the area, gathered data from the community about underage drinking, and 85 percent of Eau Claire county felt underage drinking was a serious problem.
It also found 56 percent of UW-Eau Claire students are under 21 years old, and 73 percent of those reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days. Eighty one percent of all Eau Claire students reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days, compared to 71 percent nationwide.
But Lee said most of the university's students are drinking responsibly.
Fighting the frigid temperatures outside may have been the reason for the drink selection but not the moral of the activity.
Sponsored by the Center for Alcohol Studies and Education (CASE), the group asked students to pour what they thought was a standard mixed drink.
CASE director Jennifer Lee said the event surprised a lot of students.
"People were thinking they had one drink but really had four … some as many as seven," she said.
Throughout the semester Lee said the university and community try to raise awareness and educate students about the dangers of drinking and how to drink responsibly.
Nationwide underage drinking data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows Western Wisconsin has the highest rates in the nation, said Jean Christenson, alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention coordinator for the Eau Claire area school district.
In 2005, costs related to underage drinking totaled $1.2 billion statewide and $26.4 million in Eau Claire county, said Francie Peardon, community health educator and supervisor for the Eau Claire county health department.
"I think the cost data is a little surprising," Peardon said. "But I think until we see it, we don't always know."
Christenson said the Consortium for Substance Abuse Prevention for Eau Claire County, which includes several agencies and organizations in the area, gathered data from the community about underage drinking, and 85 percent of Eau Claire county felt underage drinking was a serious problem.
It also found 56 percent of UW-Eau Claire students are under 21 years old, and 73 percent of those reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days. Eighty one percent of all Eau Claire students reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days, compared to 71 percent nationwide.
But Lee said most of the university's students are drinking responsibly.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Phankey
Patricia
posted 2/25/08 @ 2:01 PM CST
"Lee said the university's own surveys found 47 percent of students didn't binge drink within the last two weeks, and 23 percent didn't drink at all in the last 30 days. (Continued…)
FGF
posted 2/25/08 @ 6:03 PM CST
Actually, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone with CASE trying to put a positive spin on the campus drinking situation. If fact, they almost always emphasize the "problem. (Continued…)
Pamela
posted 2/26/08 @ 9:27 AM CST
Yes, underage and binge drinking are both a serious problem. I don't think Ms. Lee is trying to downplay the situation but put a face on the fact that not "everybody" drinks or drinks to intoxication, which is a common perception on most Wisconsin campuses. (Continued…)
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