UW program aims to curb alcohol abuse

University of Wyoming students who receive city or campus citations for offenses related to alcohol must participate in an alcohol education program.

Administrators say the program, called Alcohol Wellness Alternatives, Research and Education (AWARE), has cut risky behavior.

"We have to change the culture," said David Cozzens, associate vice president for student affairs at UW. "If the culture doesn't shift, the behavior doesn't shift."

Cozzens briefed university trustees Thursday about UW's efforts to reduce alcohol abuse.

In a 2005 random sample, just more than 20 percent of students at UW said they do not drink alcohol. That compares with a national average of 15 percent, UW officials said.

Among the UW students who do drink, more than 13 percent said that alcohol has hurt their studies - double the national average.

Almost half of the UW students surveyed said they had engaged in binge drinking in the preceding two weeks. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks in one sitting for a man, and four or more for a woman.

"The idea is to take a harm reduction approach," said Lena Edmunds, AWARE coordinator. She said the program's focus is on safe, responsible use of alcohol - not on eliminating use.

In the 2005-06 school year, 344 UW students were referred to the program, up from 253 in 2003-04.

Edmunds said the increase doesn't mean the UW drinking problem is worsening. Rather, she said, more agencies are becoming aware of the problem and making referrals. Students directed to the program because of drinking problems are referred for treatment.

Cozzens said that when students receive second citations for alcohol offenses, their parents are notified.

Associated Press