FREE Statewide Conference on Reducing College Drinking

The Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking is holding a statewide conference on "College Drinking in Maryland: What's Happening and What Works." This event will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, University Center Ballroom. The topics to be covered will include: the nature and extent of the college drinking problem nationally and in Maryland; the best practices for campuses and community partners to reduce college drinking; implementation successes and challenges; how to create environments that support student and community health, safety, and success.

Date: May 8, 2013
Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Place: University of Maryland Baltimore County, University Center Ballroom
           1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250

If participants are not already registered in the TRAMS system, you will be directed to register in the system first. After registering in the TRAMS system, you may then register for the conference. For all of the details and to register, click here.

Know the Facts and Stay Safe

College - a rite of passage.

To all of the high school seniors who are anxiously awaiting word from the colleges you applied to, this is an exciting time for you. In six months from now you will be college-bound and experiencing a slew of new-found freedoms. No more daily parental supervision, making your own schedule, being friends with whomever you want, going and doing whatever you want, and partying.

To all of the current college students, you have experienced freedom and are getting psyched up for the arrival of Spring Break. Another rite of passage. Off to someplace with your friends to party with tons of other like-minded college students. What could possibly be cooler than meeting thousands of new people and partying the entire week?

Please know that the statistics listed in this video are on the rise. Not to be a 'kill-joy' or a 'buzz-kill' ... we just want you to know the facts and to stay safe.

It's the Weekend - Proceed with Caution

It's the WEEKEND - finally! Texts between you and your friends are being sent and received at the speed of light and decisions are being made for a great Friday night. A big part of the plan involves scoring booze and drugs, being part of, and chilling out after a long week. The party plans are set and you're ready to roll!

But before you head out the door, please consider the following information carefully. Maybe this information won't prevent you from drinking, but maybe you will drink less. Perhaps you will still go to that big party, but you will leave when you get that bad feeling about being there. Maybe you will drive to the party, but you will find transportation back from someone who has not been drinking. Perhaps you will stick close with your friends and decide to not take a walk alone with someone who seems cool at the moment. Maybe you will talk with someone you trust rather than think you are alone in the world. Please be careful out there.   

A Snapshot of Annual

High-Risk College Drinking Consequences

 

The consequences of excessive and underage drinking affect virtually all college campuses, college communities, and college students, whether they choose to drink or not.

Death: 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.

 

Injury: 599,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol.

 

Assault: 696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.

 

Sexual Abuse: 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.

 

Unsafe Sex: 400,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 had unprotected sex and more than 100,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex.

 

Academic Problems: About 25 percent of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall.

Health Problems/Suicide Attempts: More than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem, and between 1.2 and 1.5 percent of students indicate that they tried to commit suicide within the past year due to drinking or drug use.

 

Drunk Driving: 3,360,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 drive under the influence of alcohol.

 

Vandalism: About 11 percent of college student drinkers report that they have damaged property while under the influence of alcohol.

 

Property Damage: More than 25 percent of administrators from schools with relatively low drinking levels and over 50 percent from schools with high drinking levels say their campuses have a "moderate" or "major" problem with alcohol-related property damage.

 

Police Involvement: About 5 percent of 4-year college students are involved with the police or campus security as a result of their drinking, and 110,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are arrested for an alcohol-related violation such as public drunkenness or driving under the influence.

 

Alcohol Abuse and Dependence: 31 percent of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months, according to questionnaire-based self-reports about their drinking.