National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week Focuses Campus Attention On Alcohol Abuse Prevention With 'RU Connected?' Theme

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 20 Oct 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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In October, college and university students will join with their peers on more than 1,000 campuses across the country to promote National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, October 21-27. During NCAAW, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of events, all designed by the campus to reinforce personal responsibility and respect for current state laws and school policies when it comes to the consumption of alcohol beverages.

NCAAW has grown to become the largest single event in all of academia, because students take the ownership in designing and implementing this observance for their campus communities. This week gives campuses the opportunity to highlight healthy lifestyles free from the abuse or illegal use of alcohol and to combat negative stereotypes of college drinking behavior.

"NCAAW remains a cornerstone in campus alcohol abuse prevention efforts," said Dr. Edward Hammond, NCAAW's chairman. "Ultimately, campuses need to educate students about excessive drinking and consequences that can occur on both a personal and academic level. All college and university offices need to empower students to take responsibility for their own decisions and the campus environment when it comes to alcohol. Participation in NCAAW helps students and college administrators work together to increase awareness and strengthen year-round prevention efforts. We have to engage and empower students to take care of themselves and each other."

NCAAW is promoted by the Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Issues. This coalition of higher education associations, including the National athletic Trainers' Association, is dedicated to promoting education, prevention, research, networking, and national initiatives to help eliminate substance abuse and the problems it causes on our college and university campuses.

College administrators play a vital role in working with students to educate them about alcohol abuse. "We need to do a better job of showing college students - particularly new students - that most of their peers are not abusing alcohol and making bad decisions," said NATA President Chuck Kimmel, ATC. "Students want to fit in and follow campus norms. If we incorrectly lead them to believe that everyone is getting drunk on a regular basis, then that's what they will do. We have a responsibility to inform students that making healthy choices and responsible behavior is the behavior of the majority of students. Then, we can begin changing attitudes and behavior."

The 2007 NCAAW Campaign theme contains a message of student empowerment to make and keep connections with friends and stay safe in social situations where alcohol may be present. The "RU Connected?" campaign messages support personal responsibility and practical safety tips about avoiding excessive drinking, driving after drinking and not riding with a driver who has been drinking. It reminds students to stay connected to friends for safety.

NCAAW activities vary from campus to campus, but typically include informative presentations and social events that promote responsibility and healthy, safe decisions about alcohol. For campaign educational materials for NCAAW and alcohol abuse prevention, visit http://www.bacchusnetwork.org.

About the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA):

Athletic trainers are unique health care providers who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 30,000 members of the athletic training profession through education and research. NATA advocates for equal access to athletic trainers for athletes and patients of all ages, and supports H.R. 1846.

http://www.nata.org