AlcoholEdu shows positive results on student drinking: Students, faculty react differently

9/19/2008

The Daily Eastern News

By Brittni Garcia

Amanda Haeger believes AlcoholEdu has not only refreshed her on alcohol knowledge before class started, but encouraged her to keep in mind the consequences of drinking.

"I like it, some videos were unnecessary, but overall it was good," said Haeger, a freshman elementary education major.

A student survey by the university revealed students consume fewer than two drinks when going out. It revealed a reduction in students who drink five or more drinks and a reduction in students who drink more than three times a week. In Fall 2005, 38 percent of students consumed five or more drinks when going out and in Fall 2007 that percentage dropped to 33 percent.

"Those results have been very encouraging in terms of student attitude about alcohol and its consequences," Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, said.

AlcoholEdu has been an alcohol educational and prevention program at Eastern for the past three years.

It is an online course that enables students to learn about alcohol outside of a classroom setting.

During the online course, several questions are asked to encourage students to pay attention and follow videos.

Nadler said AlcoholEdu helps educate students about the facts involving alcohol and excessive drinking.

It also proves students at Eastern are learning from the program, he added.

Erica Roa, the Alcohol and Tobacco Educational Coordinator at the Health Education Resource Center, said Eastern has seen a dramatic decrease in alcohol-related incidents on campus.

She added AlcoholEdu is a great tool for institutions because it can help students create their own drink plan as well as connect with others who chose not to drink.

Nadler said AlcoholEdu has helped establish an environment where students understand Eastern's value on personal wellness and its strong educational approach in regard to alcohol and the consequences of severe drinking.

Nick Cokosik, a freshman history major, said the program was informational because he received a 45 percent on his pretest and then an 85 percent after the course was complete.

However, he thought parts of the course was a waste of time.

"I think is should be optional because I think people who already party have a good idea of what you will learn," Cokosik said.

Nadler said Eastern has found that there have been healthier attitudes about alcohol, greater awareness and knowledge.

"I think often the attitude sets the mind set, which then translates into behavior," Nadler said.

Ryan Messinger, the chair for the Alcohol and Other Drug Coalition on campus, said there is no factual variable that is responsible for the decrease in alcohol usage. He believes it is more of a combination.

"Some of the variables that have aided in that change here at EIU include excellent alcohol educational programming and a very supportive university that believes in bettering the health and safety of students," Messinger said.

Nadler said providing health and safety for student is one of the more important goals for Eastern.

A separate survey of 600 students was conducted last fall where students were asked about their behavior with alcohol.

During a two-year period, Eastern saw a significant reduction in the frequency of students going out to drink, according to the survey.

"When students did go out, they were drinking significantly less than they have a couple of years go," Nadler said.

He added it is one thing to go out, but it's another thing to go out and drink excessively and have all the negative consequences. Nadler said the data shows an increase level of knowledge, but that should translate into behavior.

"Behaviorally, what we have seen is a significant reduction of discipline cases in the resident halls in which excessive drinking is involved, which is one of our major goals," Nadler said.

Lauren Stapinski, a freshman dietician major, said she knew a distant friend that died in an alcoholic related accident, and AlcoholEdu has helped her recall the dangers.

"It helped me know more about it," Stapinski said. "I was OK with the program once I got into it; it wasn't bad."