The Times West Virginian

Opinion

August 25, 2010

Alcohol education arming students with information that can save lives

For the Times West Virginian

FAIRMONT — Alcohol does not make you 10 feet tall and bulletproof. But it can make you feel that way.

It lowers inhibitions. It clouds judgement. It can distort reality.

And that’s how it affects adults. When adolescents consume alcohol, the effects are magnified.

Students, just a few weeks ago living under the watchful eyes of their parents, are thrust into a college environment where they have to make their own decisions and stand up under peer pressure with a support system several or several hundred miles down the road.

And that’s when accidents happen. Mistakes are made. Crimes are committed. Lives are ruined or lost.

That’s why we were so glad to hear that West Virginia University is joining hundreds of colleges nationwide requiring freshmen and transfer students to take an alcohol education program.

The course, AlcoholEdu, offers science-based information like identifying the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, how alcohol affects the brain and nervous system, how blood alcohol content is measured, serving sizes and how to avoid binge drinking.

Students aren’t just required to take the course — there are financial consequences for failing to do so or failing the course. The course is being conducted in two parts. The first part takes about two hours to complete, and the second part is a refresher course given about six weeks later.

Students must receive a 70 percent grade or higher to receive credit for the course and those who don’t complete the first part of the program by Sept. 3 will be charged $50.

Imagine having to call home to explain that one to Mom or Dad.

We know that drinking is a part of college environment and its hard to completely avoid situations where beer, wine and liquor are being consumed. However, this program has the potential to arm students with information that resonates throughout the college experience.

This year, the Princeton Review ranked WVU fourth in its annual party school rankings, down from its No. 1 rating in 2007. And that’s not anything anyone outside of The Pit is proud of. Steps like this taken by the administration are a good way to promote the health and safety of the student population.

  • Even if it reaches just a handful of students, it’s worth it.

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