Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Abby Harvey

Many students across the country assume that alcohol is part of the college experience and is a necessary ingredient for social success in the college environment.

However, Blugolds are making better choices regarding to alcohol use and making more responsible decisions. At least that is what a recent Center for Alcohol Studies and Education survey shows.

"Most of the students drink to try to fit in," said Jennifer Lee, director of CASE, about the survey's results. "They are more likely to drink because other people are doing. But still most of them who are drinking are doing it responsibly."

Data from the spring CORE survey shows a reduction in alcohol abuse among UW-Eau Claire students when compared to past years.

Underage students that used alcohol in the 30 days prior to the survey dropped 15 percent comparing to the results of 2008.

Also, students that report driving under the influence of alcohol went down 18 percent since 2002.

Lee said that the students are better informed now. She said she thinks students who don't drink at all, or just a little, don't feel like a minority anymore - they feel the freedom to be who they are.

Sophomore Hunter Roper agrees that students are better informed now about alcohol use.

"I think the results indicate that maybe the students of today are being educated better of the effects of drinking," Roper said.

Hunter also said he thinks students are taking their education more seriously and are aware that the effects of partying may hurt them academically.

Freshmen Meagan Wanzong said she thinks the results indicate that students are more concerned about their future.

"Students are more worried about the goals that they want achieve in life and that the use of alcohol can be harmful to their success," Wanzong said.

Educating students about drinking is what CASE tries to do. They support and implement strategies and programs to reduce high-risk drinking and its negative consequences among UWEC students.

For those students who drink, Jennifer Lee suggests that they plan a way back home without driving, take care of their friends who abuse alcohol and try to make smart decisions when it comes to drinking.

"We just want to help more students to reduce the high-risk behaviors that are related to alcohol use."

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