College campuses see a decrease in alcohol consumption rates

By Lauren Diaz

Athens, GA Alcohol consumption among college students continue to decline, according to

The National Institute on Drug Abuse.

From 1991 to 2016, a Monitoring the Future study found that the annual consumption of alcohol
among college students decreased 11 percentage points. Monthly rates also decreased by 15
percent.

As rates continue to fall nationwide, students at the University of Georgia are beginning to see
changes regarding drinking on- and off-campus.

In 2010, UGA was ranked the nations number one party school by the Princeton Review.
However, in years since, it has not held a position on the list at all.

Raven Rice, a senior, said this could largely be a result UGA becoming known as the Harvard
of the South.

Each year, students come in with higher GPAs and test scores, Rice said. With that comes a
higher rigor of classes, so students are spending more time studying than going out and
drinking.

Though consumption rates are lower than previous years, according to the National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 58 percent of full-time college students between ages of 18 and
22 reported drinking alcohol within the past month.

Brandi Dudley, a senior, said that while many may not be drinking as often or heavily, it is still
common to go downtown or to nearby house parties.

Were in an SEC college town surrounded by a bar scene, so alcohol is always available,
Dudley said. It doesnt have to be a Saturday in Athens for us to drink.

For students under the legal drinking age, however, enjoying a night out comes with the risk of
encountering UGA or Athens-Clarke County police.

Between 2009 to 2011, AACPD arrested approximately 1,000 UGA students for possession of
alcohol, WSBTV reported. This is twice the arrests made in Fulton County for the same incident.

Students also have to worry about the consequences that can come from having a fake I.D. Those
caught using one can face up to 12 months of probation, 40 hours of community service, and an
$800 fine.

Emma Korstanje, a junior, said incoming students and current freshman should be especially
careful since many are being exposed to drinking for the first time.
A lot of drinking happens in the freshman dorms, Korstanje said. I remember my freshman
year, a lot of kids were going crazy because it was their first opportunity to be on their own.

While the arrest rates appear higher than other universities in Georgia, crime statistic reports by
UGAPD show a significant decrease in the arrests concerning the underage possession of
alcohol.

In 2012, out of 241 reported incidents, 98 percent resulted in arrest. However, in 2016, arrests for
the same incident decreased to 53 percent.

This could be a result of Senate Bill 160, enacted on July 2015 by Georgia legislators. Now,
there must be an accompanying charge before police officers can make an arrest. Otherwise, they
can only give a citation.

Anything from disorderly conduct to jay-walking can result in an arrest, junior Steve Jacon
learned after being downtown one night. He was stopped by ACCPD after crossing Broad St.
illegally and soon after found himself in a police car.

While students at UGA and other universities are consuming less alcohol annually and monthly,
drinking continues to be an important part of the college experience. Regardless of their drinking
approach, they should consider the consequences it can have on themselves and others.

Should students face problems with addiction and alcoholism, Jason Callis, the program manager
of the Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) at UGA, encourages them to take advantage of
the resources offered by the Fontaine Center and CRC.

A strong majority of students arent concerned as to whether of not they have a drinking
problem, Callis said. For those that want to get help, the best advice I can give is to come talk
to us. Have a conversation with people you arent drinking with every night.
 References

National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Facts and Statistics, 2017.

NIDA. Monitoring the Future National Survey Results on Drug Use. 1975-2016, Volume II.

Underage Drinkers Arrested More Often in Athens. WSBTV, Cox Media Group, 29 Oct. 2016,
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/underage-drinkers-face-harsher-punishment-athens/241930976.

University of Georgia Police Department. Crime Statistics. University of Georgia, 2016.