Resources

Alcohol Information

Campus Culture
Link to campus policies www.olemiss.edu/policies DSA.DS.300.007, DSA.SH.400.003, CHA.AM.100.101College students have the misperception that their fellow students drink much more than they actually do. CORE data from surveys of University of Mississippi students shows that students perceived that other students used alcohol 3 times per week, while actual use is only reported as once per week. University of Mississippi students also report themselves as having 3.8 drinks per occasion. However, the perception is that friends consume 4.96 drinks and the campus student population consumes 5.37 drinks per occasion.

Statistics
From www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov:

1700 college students between the ages of 18-24 die each year from alcohol related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.

About 25% 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.

2.1 million students between the ages of 18-24 drove under the influence of alcohol in 2007.

From AlcoholEdu, sample of 2009 incoming freshmen:

If they consume alcohol, University of Mississippi first year students are most commonly drinking at a bar or nightclub.

Reasons why first year students report drinking:

To celebrate (42%)

To have a good time with friends (40%)

Be outgoing in social situations (26%)

Because you like the taste (25%)

Feel happy (24%)

Reasons why first year students don’t drink:

I’m going to drive (63%)

I don’t want to spend the money (49%)

I don’t have to drink to have a good time (49%)

I have other things to do (48%)

I don’t want to lose control (46%)

eCHUG
The Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO is a brief self-assessment that will provide you with accurate and detailed information about your personal risk patterns, individual level of alcohol tolerance, unique family risk factors, harm reduction strategies, and helpful resources at the University of Mississippi and in our community.

Go to: http://interwork.sdsu.edu/echug2/MISSISSIPPI (The link IS case sensitive)

Click the “Begin” button under the appropriate heading. If you do not already have a user ID number, then you have not completed the program before.

After writing down your user ID number, click the “Begin” button.

Fill in the appropriate demographic information and click “Next” after each screen to continue through the questionnaire.

Stay Dry!
www.under21staydry.com

Protective Behaviors
Many students choose not to drink, or do not drink without taking additional risks. A few protective behaviors you might want to try include:

Set limits (know how much you want to consume before the drinking begins and stick to the limit), plan ahead, set goals

Avoid drinking games

Monitor BAC (or keep track of how much is actually being consumed versus time)

Pace drinks, keep track, count, and measure

Alternate alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks (the key here is water and remaining hydrated, while allowing time between drinks and therefore reducing the total amount consumed)

Reduce frequency of drinking

Reduce number of drinks

Include food

Have a friend let you know when you have had enough

Stay with the same group of friends the entire time drinking

Use a designated driver

Know your “no”. In the event you are offered a drink when you do not want one, have a polite and convincing “no, thanks” ready.

Campus Resources
Office of Health Promotion, 662-915-6543, prevent@olemiss.edu
Peer Health Educators, 662-915-5055, elmurphy@olemiss.edu
University Police Department, 662-915-7234, upd@olemiss.edu
University Counseling Center, 662-915-3784, counslg@olemiss.edu
Young People’s AA, Contact Amy Fisher, 662-915-3784
Al-Anon Meeting, Contact Amy Fisher, 662-915-3784
UM Recovery Community, 662-915-3784, recovery@olemiss.edu

Additional Resources
Oxford Police Department, 662-232-2400
Communicare, 662-234-7521
CHEERS to the Designated Driver, 228-617-2326, um.cheers@gmail.com
Rebel Ride, 662-801-7890, rebelride@olemiss.edu
University DD, 662-607-6387