In an attempt to tackle alcohol-related tragedies among college students, Kansas University is exploring changes.
But the problem is a communitywide one, said Marlesa Roney, KU vice provost for student success.
Roney was one of five panelists at a forum Thursday night that discussed how to prevent alcohol fatalities. Sponsored by the Drug Policy Forum of Kansas, the event was in response to the death of Jason Wren. The 19-year-old KU freshman died last month after a night of binge drinking.
Also on the panel were Kim Richter, KU Medical Center associate professor of preventive medicine; Phil Bradley, Kansas Licensed Beverage Association director; KU Public Safety Sgt. James Anguiano; and Mason Tvert, executive director of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, a Colorado-based organization that believes marijuana is a safer alternative to alcohol and has pushed to reduce the penalties for its use.
Roney told the crowd of about 50 people at the Kansas Union Hawk’s Nest that the university was reconsidering its privacy policy between students and parents. A 1998 amendment to a federal law gives universities the option of informing parents about drug use and alcohol consumption for students under 21.
In about half of the instances, notifying parents makes a positive difference, Roney said.
“Is one out of two worthwhile? Definitely, which is why we are looking at this,” she said.
The university is also working with students on how to change a policy dating back to the 1970s that requires a search warrant if staff wanted to enter a residence hall room where students were suspected of drinking or doing drugs.
And the school is exploring having a mandatory alcohol education class for students.
And the issue isn’t just a campus one, Roney said. The Lawrence community — where alcohol is “incredibly easy” to get, she said — has a role to play. She pointed to the proliferation of drinking specials and fake IDs at area establishments and too few alcohol-free alternatives in downtown Lawrence.
“It is going to take everyone working together on this. The university can do a lot, but we can’t do everything without the support of the community,” she said.
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
thanksforcoming (anonymous) says…
Don't Drink!! Simple.
viewfromahill (anonymous) says…
http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc...
redmoonrising (anonymous) says…
Here's how I solved my alcohol problem, I divorced it. In all serousness though, drinking is glamorized. It's a legal drug that too many use to escape reality for a while, even if it's just one to "relax." It's sad but younger people seem to have less self control when they are in groups, having fun, partying, oh yeah. This is a serious issue but has been for decades. Honestly, I don't see an answer in sight. Prohibition didn't work, raising the drinking age didn't work. What will? I drank some when I was young, never developed a taste for alcohol. After I quit, I often wished I had a vid cam with me in a bar or club to show those with me later how they looked during their night of "fun."
HermioneElliott (anonymous) says…
No matter what your personal opinion is about a subject it is not possible for you to force anyone to abide by it.
Alcohol is not a problem to everyone. There are those who do drink responsibly.
I'll bet that the father of the young man what died from alcohol poisoning could not have cared less about the subject until it happened to someone close to him.
Are parents notified by Ku of drinking, really shocked and surprised by that? Like they didn't do it in high school, or at home, before then?
deskiedennis (anonymous) says…
Here is how to reduce problems with alcohol. Lower the drinking age and be more open about drinking. If people are exposed to it earlier in life and it's not some forbidden temptation. When kids are in high school, drinking is something they see as rebellious and cool. How do you get rid of that notion. Allow them to drink with their parents. Then it's not rebellious, it's normal, not a big deal. Then when they go off to college and are on their own, they will have experience with it.
Jaylee (anonymous) says…
concerning those who started drinking and partying at an earlier age, i have noticed a sizable difference between those who go off the deep end and continue spiraling into the drinking world and those who used alcohol early in life then it lost it's novelty and they lightened up to a moderated level of drinking.
WAY more people in the drinking lost it's novelty category.
concerning marijuana being a safer choice than alcohol, i could not agree more. (earlier starters for this seemed to have lightened up more than not as well)
sinverguenza (anonymous) says…
I believe forums like this one are helpful, but I would like to note that all greek freshmen (that would include Mr. Wren) were required to attend a huge forum on alcohol use at the beginning of the school year.
So, as it goes, it takes everybody (kids, adults, drinkers, non-drinkers) to affect change. Changing the drinking culture is probably the first step.
gontek (anonymous) says…
Drinking lost it's novelty for me when it became legal. It was way more exciting when it involved breaking the law.
Are you familiar with the terms - Kegstand, beer bong, puke and rally? Have you ever seen someone chug the remains of a whiskey bottle or do an everclear shot and black out? I bet if you went to college you did.
What's my point? I don't know, I forgot. While you guys are saving the world I'll be at the bar having a cold one. Let me know how it turns out.
shotgun (anonymous) says…
Wow! Some really boneheaded comments on this one!
thanksforcoming (Anonymous) says…
Don't Drink!! Simple.
Next time you have diareah. Don't poop! Simple.
Some people are alcoholics. Oh, maybe alcoholism is a myth like global warming! LOL
Jaylee (Anonymous) says…
concerning marijuana being a safer choice than alcohol, i could not agree more. (earlier starters for this seemed to have lightened up more than not as well)
How many people who smoke marijuana cease to drink?
Can you say cottonmouth.
I was at the forum and the "pot spokesman" was laughable. A highly intelligent man and great debater with a silly argument. If smoking pot will stop one from overindulging in alcohol, I guess rational talk therapy will cure Schizophrenia!
tonymontana (anonymous) says…
actually, smoking pot did make me stop drinking.
xbusguy (chris Ogle) says…
here is my theory... If you need a drink, don't...... If you want one....do..... Forget the divorce, it will come natural. .
Gootsie (anonymous) says…
said divorce resulted in said ex stopping drinking...connection? I think so.