As a sixth-grader experimenting in his family's liquor cabinet, John Coles never saw the threats that alcohol posed to his life. Ten years later, the Ohio University sophomore sees the world from a different perspective: through the eyes of a struggling alcoholic.
Coles' case is not exceptional. In 2003, the US Department of Health and Human Services reported that 17.6 percent of college students admitted heavy use of alcohol (five or more drinks on one occasion on at least five different days in the month previous to responding).
For 2005, The Princeton Review ranked OU fifth on its list of top party schools. Terry Hogan, OU's dean of students, said that his research into local and national statistics places OU at the high end of alcohol statistics, noting that the school's higher level of alcohol consumption is not an untrue thing. It's not a perception. It's a reality. In 1996, the university assembled the Coalition Advocating Responsible Drinking Decisions (CARDD), which aims to reduce high-risk drinking among students. The group hopes to shift the university's party school image by dedicating more resources and attention to research and education about alcohol use, a plan that included the mandatory completion of the online Alcohol EDU course by incoming freshmen, which started with this year's freshman class.
Other recent initiatives included the creation of the Treatment Committee within CARDD to examine addiction management, and the initiation of joint planning between the city and the university regarding problematic weekends.
OU students participating in high-risk drinking can seek support through Hudson Health Center. Dr. Jeanne Heaton, who directs Counseling and Psychological Services, said that her department sees 7 percent of the student population each year. Hudson departments also sponsor activities throughout campus that serve as alternatives to drinking, such as risk prevention programs like the BUZZ Campaign. Off-campus, Alcoholics Anonymous hosts local meetings throughout Athens several times per week.
If students fail to get help before alcohol-related behavior leads to legal offenses, violators are often required to attend a diversion program sponsored by Health Recovery Services, the Department of Health Education and Wellness or University Judiciaries. During the 2003-2004 school year, a total of 1,188 students attended one of these seven programs, said Terry Koons, Assistant Director of Health Education and Wellness.
Despite these interventions, students who need help often do not receive it, especially if they engage in high-risk drinking but avoid legal action, Heaton said.
With limited staff
it's difficult for us to reach all the people that need to be reached she said.
Heaton estimates that one-fifth of high-risk drinkers on campus are severely affected by their alcohol consumption but are not reached by health services.
Coles was one of those students until his habits led to academic probation and several quarters at home. After a journey through buzzed nights and diversion programs, Coles sees his problem and the solutions more clearly. He admitted that he still struggles with wanting to go and drink [being] in the house a lot
not doing anything
but also said, I don't regret it
honestly. It has taught me a lot.
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