2008 Woodie Awards
UW System alcohol and drug survey not so 'useless'
Letter to the editor
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Opinion
I am always glad to see an article in the Royal Purple that addresses issues related to alcohol and other drug use on campus, even when I disagree with the content. I'd like to respond to your staff opinion in the Dec. 12, 2007 issue of the Royal Purple entitled, "Another useless UW System binge-drinking survey."
Since I'm a counselor, I can't resist noting false assumptions so I'll offer some alternative viewpoints.
The article focuses on the survey's report of binge drinking rates. The survey is about the attitudes and behaviors that students claim as their own. There are 26 subcategorized questions giving us information about many aspects of students' alcohol and other drug use and the impact it has on our community.
Not only does the UW System make a concerted effort to address or "curb" the problem, but it provides a variety of opportunities for our campuses to do so. Some examples that impact UW-Whitewater include review and revision of policies and sanctioning guidelines, establishment of an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition and increased enforcement of rules/laws.
Next, I can't fault the writer for having formed opinions from the limited information available through the UW System Web site, but I am glad to report that we have additional data that shows a different picture at UW-Whitewater. I think some of it must be because of our efforts to make changes on campus.
Based on the 2005 UW System Alcohol and Other Drug Use Survey results for UW-Whitewater, we set some goals for our campus and put forth some serious efforts.
We set a goal of increasing the number of students who keep track of how much they drink, in order to decrease the likelihood of negative consequences from high risk drinking. In 2005, 31 percent stated that they always keep track of how many drinks they're having, compared to 36 percent in 2007.
We also want students to know where to come for help with a drinking or drug problem. This year, 60 percent say they know that their campus provides help for students with alcohol problems. Only 46 percent are aware that we also provide help for students with other drug problems.
It is not an easy task to change a culture and reduce the harms that come from high-risk alcohol and drug use. If it makes life better for some of our students now, it will impact even more in the long run.
Amy Margulies
Coordinator, Student Assistance Programs
Since I'm a counselor, I can't resist noting false assumptions so I'll offer some alternative viewpoints.
The article focuses on the survey's report of binge drinking rates. The survey is about the attitudes and behaviors that students claim as their own. There are 26 subcategorized questions giving us information about many aspects of students' alcohol and other drug use and the impact it has on our community.
Not only does the UW System make a concerted effort to address or "curb" the problem, but it provides a variety of opportunities for our campuses to do so. Some examples that impact UW-Whitewater include review and revision of policies and sanctioning guidelines, establishment of an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition and increased enforcement of rules/laws.
Next, I can't fault the writer for having formed opinions from the limited information available through the UW System Web site, but I am glad to report that we have additional data that shows a different picture at UW-Whitewater. I think some of it must be because of our efforts to make changes on campus.
Based on the 2005 UW System Alcohol and Other Drug Use Survey results for UW-Whitewater, we set some goals for our campus and put forth some serious efforts.
We set a goal of increasing the number of students who keep track of how much they drink, in order to decrease the likelihood of negative consequences from high risk drinking. In 2005, 31 percent stated that they always keep track of how many drinks they're having, compared to 36 percent in 2007.
We also want students to know where to come for help with a drinking or drug problem. This year, 60 percent say they know that their campus provides help for students with alcohol problems. Only 46 percent are aware that we also provide help for students with other drug problems.
It is not an easy task to change a culture and reduce the harms that come from high-risk alcohol and drug use. If it makes life better for some of our students now, it will impact even more in the long run.
Amy Margulies
Coordinator, Student Assistance Programs
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