Freshmen learn about alcohol dangers

Friday, September 2, 2011

Required online course is part of OSU alcohol awareness program
By Aubrey Raupe

Students are absorbing tons of knowledge, but none is more important than learning about the dangers of alcohol and the importance of alcohol safety.  Oklahoma State University offers a number of tools to help, including various counseling options.

As part of OSU’s alcohol awareness efforts, incoming freshmen living in residential housing are required to complete an online alcohol education program, and new members of the Greek community learn about the risks of alcohol use and the importance of responsibility and safety.

“Generally, our students know that the drinking age is 21,” Lee Bird, Vice President for Student Affairs, said. “What our students may not know enough about are the consequences of alcohol use and the impact on their futures should they be cited for drunk driving or even put in jail. We try to teach our students about alcohol use so they can demonstrate mature judgement in regard to alcohol and protect themselves and potentially others.”

Additional alcohol programs and speakers are available throughout the year.

OSU is one of the few universities that has an alcohol and substance abuse center. The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center (ASAC) at OSU offers individual, as well as group counseling options. The ASAC also is responsible for treatment resulting from any campus drug- or alcohol-related offenses.

“Our goal is to help students make changes they want to make so they don’t get in trouble or endanger their lives, health or academic career,” said Kim Poslick, coordinator of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center.

“We try to prepare our students and arm them with the information they need about alcohol, but they still have to make their own decisions every minute of every day,” Bird said.