Bad reaction

Plan to combat binge drinking lacks proper focus

Representatives from Michigan's 15 public universities met Tuesday to discuss the implications of college-age binge drinking. James Haverman, director of Michigan's Department of Community Health, presented Gov. John Engler's plan to attack college binge drinking, which suggests ways state government, universities and local law enforcement can help change binge drinking behaviors. The plan includes an unclear "mentorship program" and a media blitz to inform college students about the dangers of alcohol. The most misguided and severe idea presented was Haverman's urging of universities to take a strong stance against college binge drinkers by either informing parents or guardians of infractions, expelling those who have excessive drinking behaviors or "drying them out" by helping students remain sober.

In the wake of alcohol-related deaths across the country and the resulting obsessive media coverage, politicians and university administrators alike have been desperately searching for a way to control students' alcohol consumption. Despite endless studies, task forces and conferences - all in the best interest of students - the key point is still eluding higher-ups such as Haverman. College students' personal habits should not be controlled or influenced by their university. While classes and professors may shape the minds of students, universities simply cannot take a moral stance on the actions of students. Expelling excessive drinkers would be a huge step out of bounds for university administrations. Furthermore, all the expelling, dog-sniffing, wrist-slapping and chastising in the world does not solve the underlying problem - drinking habits are culturally ingrained.

As a form of rebellion and independence, young adults have always wanted what they cannot have - often in excessive amounts. In the United States, often the desired object for young adults is alcohol, simply because it is forbidden. Many countries do not treat alcohol as puritanically as the United States, and subsequently alcohol does not have a forbidden mystique. As a result, people learn to drink responsibly from an early age and avoid the drinking problems common in the U.S.

Developing a certain degree of acceptance seems to be a better approach than current methods of alcohol education. Students know perfectly well that alcohol can make them throw up, pass out and get into a fair amount of trouble with the law - that has already been made abundantly clear. Beating a redundant message into students' heads simply confirms to many that if authority frowns so harshly upon drinking, there must be something desirable about it. If lawmakers truly want to stop the reckless consumption of alcohol on college campuses, they need to change their approach.

Rather than play parent to thousands of college students - searching their rooms for alcohol and expelling them for a nightcap - education aimed at changing the culture of drinking should be implemented, in addition to lowering the drinking age. Eighteen-year-olds will drink regardless of whether it is legal for them to do so or not. But if drinking is made legal for most college students, the thrill of getting a fake ID, sneaking a keg into the residence halls or partying until the AAPD raids a fraternity house will be greatly reduced. Thus, the amount of alcohol consumed will probably drop as well. Lawmakers should take note: it is not necessarily beer that college students are enamored with. It is the social significance that goes with it.

02-04-99