Tuesday, October 23, 2001

Alcohol awareness to be promoted
By Erin LaMourie
Staff Reporter

After being issued an alcohol violation citation, Daniel Herron, a senior political science major, was required to attend an alcohol awareness course. Herron said he now understands more about his alcohol limits, but he doubts other students are aware of the effects alcohol has on a body.

Angie Taylor, director of alcohol and drug education, is hoping this week will change that. Information about drinking responsibly will be distributed and students can pledge not to drink and drive during Red Ribbon Week and National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week from Wednesday until October 29.

“Students are aware of alcohol,” Taylor said. “They are not so knowledgeable, though. Most of what students know about alcohol is what they have heard from friends, or know from their own experiences, which revolves around myths.”

Average alcohol consumption has increased at TCU from 4.8 drinks a week in a 1992 survey to 5.4 drinks a week in a 2000 survey, Taylor said, which is nearing the national average of 5.5 drinks a week. The bi-annual Core Survey uses random sampling of TCU students.

Kate Jansen, HyperFrogs’ vice president of peer education, said she hopes the week’s events increase student awareness of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and drinking and driving. HyperFrogs will distribute information and ribbons and sponsor activities to show students how they can become impaired by alcohol. Students can also sign a pledge to not drink and drive, Jansen said. Those who sign pledges will be entered in a raffle for prizes including gift certificates to be given out at the end of the week. Students can also participate in an obstacle course Monday while wearing “beer goggles,” a pair of glasses that alter vision and balance, Jansen said.

Taylor said the Core Survey also revealed that about 20 percent of TCU students do not drink while another 20 percent drink heavily.

“A majority of students are drinking responsibly, but unfortunately a lot of what we hear about is that 20 percent who drink too much,” she said. “This leads to the perception there is more drinking than there actually is.”

Taylor said about 75 percent of women and about 51 percent of men at TCU consume three or fewer drinks a week.

About 68 percent of TCU students under 21 drink, Taylor said.

Erin LaMourie
e.m.lamourie@student.tcu.edu