By Signe K. Skinion

This year’s National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week will be celebrated this week at SIUC by Thompson Point and the Wellness Center, offering students information on the dangers of drinking and activities across campus, coordinators of the week say.

Barb Fijolek, Wellness coordinator of alcohol and drug education, said the week’s activities inform students why they should learn to drink in moderation by being responsible as they drink.

Advertisement

The biggest sign that distinguishes problem drinking from non-problem drinking is drinking to get drunk, Fijolek said. Four drinks for women and five for men is considered binge drinking. The majority of students on campus are non-drinkers or occasional drinkers. There are a lot of healthy, closet students on campus and the ones tipping over cars are in the minority.

An SIUC survey in 1993 found 86 percent of students wanted a drug-free environment, while 33 percent wanted an alcohol-free environment. Thirty percent of the students admitted to missing class because of alcohol, and 34 percent said they did something they later regretted while being drunk.

One out of seven people between the ages of 15 and 24 have a sexually transmitted disease, Fijolek said. Sixty percent of the women say they were drunk at the time they got the disease. It’s sad because it’s preventable. Alcohol will keep your body resistance down and causes problems fighting germs STDs are a part of it.

Fijolek said alcohol abuse can also lead to problems like rape, sexual assault, and death or injury due to driving under the influence.

Thirty-one percent of the SIUC students said they have driven while under the influence, Fijolek said. One out of four drivers on a Saturday night are drunk, and even if it’s not you, it could be the other guy.

Fijolek said because drinking and driving is such a big concern, there will be special guest speakers during the week to discuss the consequences of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

We have a guest speaker Wednesday night from the state police that will be discussing use it or lose it,’ Fijolek said. The main topic will be the new zero-tolerance law that affects under-21 drivers.

Advertisement*

Ginny Innecken, chairperson of Thompson Point’s activities, said there is a lot to offer the diverse residents of Thompson Point.

Throughout the rest of the week, residents can write a story for the Wall of Stories’ that tells how peoples’ lives have been effected by alcohol, Innecken said. Also, a resident will be made to go through a DUI test by Saluki Patrol and then a DUI trial with members of the State’s Attorney’s office and residents.

Kathleen Gallagher, student resident advisor for Warren Hall on Thompson Point, said this week will be great for everyone who participates.

I think it’s a great community building experience that will bring people together. It will be an educational experience and fun, Gallagher said.

The main thing students should focus on, aside from the fun activities of the week, is being responsible while drinking, Fijolek said.

There is a formula for low-risk drinking in moderation called 0-1-3, Fijolek said. Zero is for when you shouldn’t drink for example when you’re driving, pregnant or on medication. One is to pace your drinks about one per hour by sipping it for the effect, not chugging it down. It’s also a cheaper way. Three is the maximum per occasion. People have said they are social, responsible drinkers, but they never had a set guideline, and that’s what the 0-1-3 is for.

For more information about the week’s activities, contact Fijolek at the Wellness Center at 536-4441 or Innecken at Thompson Point at 453-2471.