Educate about drinking dangers

From The Des Moines Register:


In his July 29 column, “Alcohol plays a big role in campus crime,” Marc Hansen discussed the role of alcohol in campus crime. It has been well established that alcohol lowers inhibitions, leading to unintended consequences. 90 percent of all campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by either the assailant or the victim.

Four in ten criminal offenders report alcohol as a factor in violence. Alcohol abuse also contributes to unplanned pregnancies, with 33 percent of 14- to 21- year-old mothers reporting they were drinking when they had sex and failed to properly use birth control. Finally, students spend $5.5 billion on alcohol each year — more than they spend on soft drinks, tea, milk, juice, coffee and books combined.

These statistics are alarming, and Employee & Family Resources applauds the Register for acknowledging the potential consequences of high-risk drinking on college campuses.

It is possible to learn to drink responsibly as an adult without having risked so much as a minor. As a community, we can help reduce the negative effects of alcohol by supporting environmental changes that reduce access to alcohol, offer alcohol education for young people and hold students accountable for harms they cause to themselves and others while under the influence.

With these changes, we can ensure safer campuses, better learning environments and successful futures for our youth.

— Davi Ellis, Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Supervisor,
Employee & Family Resources, Des Moines