October 5, 2001 UNT Inhouse publication: Helping students make wise alcohol choices

homepage

Irma Jones Helping students make wise alcohol choices

Many parents do their best to prepare their teen-agers for college life before they leave home. They discuss finances, classes, academic responsibility and housing. Students often arrive at college with a strong sense of family beliefs and values regarding alcohol consumption. However, we know that the availability of alcohol — combined with the absence of parents and the desire to fit in — can lead to potentially risky decisions about drinking. It is essential for parents, faculty and staff members to check in with students frequently and to be supportive.

National studies show that most students make responsible decisions about the use or non-use of alcohol before they leave home. What can we do now that they are away from home? Parents, faculty and staff can help by providing a safe and nurturing environment. Here are a few suggestions:

Keep lines of communication open and provide opportunities for students to talk.
Provide clear and consistent guidelines and expectations regarding academics, class attendance and employment.
Become knowledgeable about local laws and university policy regarding alcohol use.
Share the facts and focus on "true norms" regarding collegiate alcohol consumption, such as the fact reported by the Core Institute at Southern Illinois University that nearly two-thirds of college students drink on average less than one alcoholic beverage per day.
Know some of the signs that might point to alcohol abuse or other drug-related behaviors: frequent tardiness or absence in morning classes; sudden grade decline; extreme mood swings and personality change; irresponsibility; reduced extracurricular activities; poor hygiene; and noticeably inappropriate behavior.

The Substance Abuse Resource Center, formerly NT Challenge, provides up to eight free and confidential appointments for students to discuss alcohol or other drug-related concerns. Trained professionals and peer educators provide alcohol and drug training workshops, campus and community resources, and presentations to classrooms, residence halls and student organizations upon request. On-campus 12-step support groups are also available. Faculty and staff members might be interested in viewing Without Warning: The Dangers of Alcohol Poisoning and Binge Drinking, a 16-minute video that comes with a discussion guide. Call the SARC office at 565-2418 or 565-2421 to receive free alcohol- and drug-related information.

Be sure to visit our Alcohol-Free Zone during tailgating and in the Mean Green Village during Homecoming events.

Irma Jones (jones@unt.edu) is the director of the Substance Abuse Resource Center.