October alcohol awareness month
PLATTEVILLE - With alcohol consumption a major concern on college campuses across the nation, during the month of October, University of Wisconsin-Platteville educators will strive to alert students of the dangers of alcoholism.
As many as 1,400 college students die each year from unintentional alcohol-related injuries, and another 500,000 are injured, according to reports from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). At UW-Platteville, Chancellor David Markee has designated October "Alcohol Awareness Month," and several events held in conjunction with National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week Oct. 17-23 are geared toward making sure students are aware of the risks of alcohol abuse.
During the latter parts of September and early October, UWP counseling services staff members are encouraging UWP students, faculty and staff to share how alcohol has affected their lives. Staff members will distribute mock bricks, upon which alcohol-related life experiences can be shared. These bricks will be collected by Oct. 13 and assembled into a wall on display in Karrmann Library.
Co-sponsored by Student Health Service's Esteem peer education group, several booths with information and educational games related to alcohol awareness will be on display outside the Pioneer Student Center Tuesday, Oct. 19 and Wednesday, Oct. 20. On Friday, Oct. 22, carnations in recognition of alcohol awareness will be passed out at locations on campus and near the student center.
"The idea is for you to pass it along to someone else," said Debra Crabtree, UWP Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness prevention educator.
According to the NIAAA, alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in: failure to fulfill major work, school or home responsibilities; drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery; having recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting someone while drunk; and continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the drinking.
Volunteers are needed to staff booths and help out with the alcohol awareness effort. Interested individuals may contact Crabtree at 608-342-1382.
Contact: Debra Crabtree, prevention educator, Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness (AODA), 608-342-1382, crabtred@uwplatt.edu
Prepared by: Dan Lehnherr, UWP Public Relations, 608-342-1194, lehnherd@uwplatt.edu
<< Home