2008 Woodie Awards
UND survey shows decrease in binging
UND officials and programs work to offer alternatives to drinking
Nikki Voigt
Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: News
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Although the drinking habits of UND students have been the topic of recent debate, statistics show that the percentage of students that binge drink has actually decreased over the past couple of years.
According to the 2006 North Dakota CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey, 54 percent of students reported binge drinking in the previous two weeks. Binge drinking is defined in the survey as consuming five or more drinks in one sitting.
In the 2004 study, 57 percent of students admitted to recent binge drinking.
"I think these figures show that we are doing something right on campus," said Sandi Luck, substance abuse awareness leader at Student Health Services.
The survey also reported that 33 percent of students at UND chose not to use alcohol in the last 30 days.
"National data indicates that drinking is a problem on all campuses," said Bob Boyd, vice president of student and outreach services. "I don't think that we are on the high or low end of the spectrum. We seem to have pretty average rates on the problem."
Student Body President Jay Fisher agreed that binge drinking wasn't specific to UND. "I think students are exposed to drinking in middle school and high school and bring the habits with them here," he said.
Programs to reduce drinking
Nightlife is the newest program created to reduce the drinking rates at UND.
Luck said that Nightlife has had a huge impact so far.
"We had a trial run last spring where we held Nightlife for four weekends, and it was very successful," she said. "It gives students on campus something to do on Friday and Saturday nights that doesn't involve alcohol, and that's a big issue. Everyone always complains about how there is nothing to do in Grand Forks, so we are working on that."
Luck said that the ADAPT program is another way to reach students and educate them about alcohol abuse.
ADAPT has students who are peer educators give presentations to various groups on campus about alcohol education.
According to the 2006 North Dakota CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey, 54 percent of students reported binge drinking in the previous two weeks. Binge drinking is defined in the survey as consuming five or more drinks in one sitting.
In the 2004 study, 57 percent of students admitted to recent binge drinking.
"I think these figures show that we are doing something right on campus," said Sandi Luck, substance abuse awareness leader at Student Health Services.
The survey also reported that 33 percent of students at UND chose not to use alcohol in the last 30 days.
"National data indicates that drinking is a problem on all campuses," said Bob Boyd, vice president of student and outreach services. "I don't think that we are on the high or low end of the spectrum. We seem to have pretty average rates on the problem."
Student Body President Jay Fisher agreed that binge drinking wasn't specific to UND. "I think students are exposed to drinking in middle school and high school and bring the habits with them here," he said.
Programs to reduce drinking
Nightlife is the newest program created to reduce the drinking rates at UND.
Luck said that Nightlife has had a huge impact so far.
"We had a trial run last spring where we held Nightlife for four weekends, and it was very successful," she said. "It gives students on campus something to do on Friday and Saturday nights that doesn't involve alcohol, and that's a big issue. Everyone always complains about how there is nothing to do in Grand Forks, so we are working on that."
Luck said that the ADAPT program is another way to reach students and educate them about alcohol abuse.
ADAPT has students who are peer educators give presentations to various groups on campus about alcohol education.
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