BRC sends sobering messages to students

1:36 p.m., April 7, 2005--In its ongoing campaign against underage and high-risk drinking, the Building Responsibility Coalition has sponsored a series of four print advertisements in The Review, UD’s student-run newspaper.

The blunt messages highlight the number of UD students who have received treatment for alcohol poisoning and emphasize the number of students in U.S. colleges who die from alcohol-related injuries.

“We know that some of our students are using alcohol to the point where they are endangering themselves and possibly others,” John Bishop, associate vice president for counseling and student development, said. “This is a significant public health issue, and it is important that we, as an educational institution, address it in a very straight-forward manner.”

Bishop said The Review was the best forum for the campaign because it is one of the campus media outlets read by students. “It makes sense to try to capture the attention of these readers by informing them of how many students have put themselves at risk by their excessive use of alcohol,” he said. “We expect to continue publishing the messages every Friday throughout the semester.”

The advertisements, which were created by Monroe Givens, associate director of creative services, and Molly Chappell, art director, in the Office of Public Relations in public relations, state the facts plainly:

“This fall, 38 UD students received medical attention for alcohol poisoning. Eighteen were freshmen. Don’t let your life be nipped in the bud.”
“Students who overdose on alcohol say they made a bad decision that they really regret. Some don’t live to regret. In 2003-2004, 80 UD students received treatment for alcohol poisoning.”
“About four U.S. college students die each day from alcohol-related injuries--don’t be one of them. Know your limits.” and
"1,400 U.S. college students die each year from alcohol-related injuries--don’t be one of them. Know your limits."

Three of the announcements include a warning note: “Underage drinking is illegal. Excessive drinking can be deadly, and those who provide alcohol to underage individuals are subject to fines and prison.”

The fourth advertisement includes a different note: “A special reminder to freshmen: Underage drinking is illegal and excessive drinking can kill you.”

Bishop said the number of students who have received emergency treatment due to alcohol overdoses surprises many persons who have seen the messages.

“The truth is that the published numbers are undoubtedly only a part of the picture because not all students who drink enough to put themselves in harm's way come to the attention of someone who recognizes the seriousness of such situations,” Bishop said. “It is of great concern to know that some students continue to act as if a tragedy cannot happen to them personally. That can be a fatal error in judgment.”

BRC is a campus/community partnership advocating policies for the responsible and legal use of alcohol in order to promote a healthy environment for students, residents and businesses by reducing the harm to people and property caused by high-risk drinking.

Article by Martin Mbugua

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