Alcohol abuse alarming

JMU students consume more drinks than the national average

Students and faculty at JMU agree that there is an abundance of alcohol consumption on campus and are concerned by the consequences of excessive drinking.

The Journal of the American Medical Association defines binge drinking as consuming five or more drinks in a row on a single occasion for males and four or more drinks in a row on a single occasion for females.

David Onestak, the student counseling director at JMU, is concerned by research that shows JMU students tend to drink more than the national average.

"The JMU population consumes more drinks per week than the national reference group, 8.5 versus 6.1," Onestak said. "This suggests to me that misuse of alcohol is indeed a very serious problem at JMU."

Michael Way, the director of the Office of Judicial Affairs, agrees that drinking is a problem.

"Rarely do we hear of violence, sexual assault or property destruction where alcohol wasn’t the root cause," Way said.

Way also noted that drinking prevents students from getting the full college experience.

"Alcohol and drug abuse detract from the kind of clean, safe, quiet environment that promotes the growth and development of students," Way said.

Like Way, senior Grant Schafer, the president of the men’s group 1 in 4, says drinking is a problem that detracts from students’ ability to enjoy college. Schafer says that he is "deeply concerned" by binge drinking on campus.

"The fact that some of my peers would solely choose binge drinking as a way to feel connected to others, bypassing the many clubs, organizations and athletic opportunities to make friends and socialize saddens me," Schafer said.

Junior Class President Britt Timmerman questions the motives of students who routinely drink to excess.

"It may be that the students are rebelling against their parents and trying to ‘live it up’ while they are here," she said. "Whatever the reason, the party scene is now considered part of the college experience."
But senior psychology and kinesiology double major Audrey Koehler said some students view classes as a hurdle to overcome before a weekend of partying. She said even responsible drinking can be a problem if it’s done for the wrong reasons.

"I think it’s a common perception because of the way students get through class during the week in order to party on the weekends," Koehler said. "I think it becomes a problem when students don’t have their priorities straight and are dependent on alcohol to make them happy, popular or confident."