Sonoma State University students will be part of a campus-wide campaign this month called "Decide Before You Drink" that features panel discussions, exhibits and fun-filled events to show the results of alcohol abuse, legal implications and alternatives to abusive social drinking.
"We need to do a better job of showing college students, particularly
new students, that their peers are not all abusing alcohol and making bad
decisions," says Tammy Cotter, Alcohol/Drug Education and Prevention
Specialist at Sonoma State University.
Representatives from University and community organizations will be
on campus in the Zinfandel Quad on Monday and Wednesday (Oct. 23 and 25)
from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and in the Main Quad Tuesday (Oct. 24) from 11:30
a.m. to 1 p.m.
Special events will also be held in the evening, including a health
lecture on what alcohol does to the human body, a panel discussion with
victims and perpetrators of drunk driving and representatives of the Sonoma
County District Attorneyis office.
According to the results of SSUis 1999 alcohol and drug survey, most
students at SSU donit drink to get drunk. Female students drink an average
of 3.5 drinks per week while males averaged 7.4 drinks per week. The survey,
says Cotter, supports research that shows there is a direct correlation
between low levels of alcohol consumption and higher grade point averages.
"This weekis events are not an advocacy for prohibition, says Nate
Johnson, SSUis Chief of Police. "But as laws concerning the illegal
consumption of alcoholic beverage become more strict and tougher on
violators, we believe that education is the best cure to the prevention of
alcohol-related tragedies."
The campaign is sponsored by the Alcohol and Other Drug Education
Program, Student Advocates for Education, the Office of Residential Life,
the Student Health Center, and the Athletics Department in observance of
National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, October 23-27.
Highlights of this weekis schedule include:
• All week - "Wall of Experience," Zinfandel Marketplace. Students write
about their experiences losing a friend or relative to an alcohol tragedy,
being injured or being the cause of drunk driving accidents.
Monday Night (Oct. 23) - 9 p.m., "Trivia with a Twist," Zinfandel Grill.
The popular every-other Monday night trivia contest deals with
alcohol-related questions.
• Tuesday (Oct. 24) - Noon, Main Quad. Dr. Bernie Goldstein, Provost,
unveils the "Decide Before You Drink" campaign poster featuring candid
quotes from six male and six female students about the health choices they
make regarding the use of alcohol.
• Tuesday Night (Oct. 24) - 6-8 p.m., "Getting Buzzed, What It Does," The
Vineyard. Dr. Scott Cutler from the Student Health Center discusses what use
of alcohol does to the human body.
• Wednesday Evening (Oct. 25) - 7-9 p.m., "Four Beers, Two Deaths, One
Night," The Vineyard. Panel discussion includes victims and perpetrators of
drunk driving accidents, and attorneys who prosecute offenders.
• Wednesday Night (Oct. 25) - 9 p.m., "Fun, SSU Style," Zinfandel Grill.
Alternative entertainment that does not include drinking is featured.
