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Colleges respond to student binge drinking: reducing student demand or limiting access
Henry Wechsler1, Mark Seibring, I-Chao Liu
1Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115-6096, USA. hwechsle@hsph.harvard.edu
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|March 17, 2004
Summary
Most colleges address heavy drinking with education and prevention, but funding sources influence program choices. Colleges should evaluate if demand- or supply-focused strategies, or funding, shape their alcohol initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Higher Education Administration
- Substance Abuse Prevention
Background:
- Heavy college student drinking poses significant public health and campus safety challenges.
- Colleges employ diverse strategies to mitigate alcohol-related harms, influenced by various factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey college administrators on their approaches to student heavy drinking.
- To examine the relationship between funding sources and prevention program implementation.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide survey of 4-year college administrators (N=747) was conducted.
- Data collected on types of alcohol programs, policies, and funding sources.
Main Results:
- 68% of colleges use targeted alcohol education and institutional prevention; 50% use social norms campaigns; some restrict alcohol.
- Colleges receiving governmental or alcohol industry funding were more likely to implement education and social norms programs, and less likely to restrict alcohol.
- Demand-reduction focused schools were less likely to ban alcohol.
Conclusions:
- College alcohol prevention strategies may be shaped by funding sources, potentially influencing program selection and intensity.
- Colleges should critically assess the impact of funding on their alcohol initiatives and consider balanced demand and supply reduction approaches.