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Critical Choices: Alcohol, Drugs and University Life. Annorah S. Moorman, Ph.D. Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Counseling & Consultation Services. A Time of Transition for Parents and Teens. New phase in parenting
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Critical Choices: Alcohol, Drugs and University Life Annorah S. Moorman, Ph.D. Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Counseling & Consultation Services
A Time of Transition for Parents and Teens New phase in parenting Helped your teen build a strong foundation for good decision making and self-sufficiency How do you handle this phase of letting go? Have you talked to your sons and daughters about alcohol use?
Advice from the Century Council--Parents, you're not done yet. Most college students make responsible decisions about the use or non-use of alcohol. However, we now know that: Availability of + Absence of + Desire to + Stress Alcohol Parents fit in = POTENTIALLY RISKY DRINKING Pay special attention to your son’s or daughter’s experiences and activities during the crucial first 6 weeks on campus. With a great deal of free time, many students initiate heavy drinking during these early days of college, and the potential exists for excessive alcohol consumption to interfere with successful adaptation to campus life.
What has changed: What they drink (potency of alcohol) How much they drink Frequency of drinking Age they begin drinking Overall availability of alcohol Parent or adult supervision Young People Experience a Different Drinking Environment
Five Guidelines • Continue the Conversation • Create Shared Expectations • Know and Respect the Law/IWU Policy • What are the “True Norms” • Take Advantage of Campus Resources
1. Continue the Conversation Conversation Starters • How will you decide whether or not to drink at college? • What will you do if you find yourself at a party with only alcohol to drink? • What will you do if your roommate only wants to drink and party? • How will you handle it if you are asked to baby-sit someone who is very drunk?
Once they're at IWU: Continuing the Conversation • How are you doing? • Do you like your classes? • What is the party scene like? • What kind of activities are available? • Are you enjoying residence hall life? Why? • Do you see others making friends or just drinking buddies? • How are you getting along with your roommate? What are your roommates behaviors like? • Be aware of signs of possible alcohol abuse (lower grades, reluctance to talk with you about their activities, mood changes).
2. Create Shared Expectations • Attending class • Financial responsibility • Choices regarding drinking • Study time vs. social time • Staying in touch • The penalties of underage drinking, using a fake ID, and public consumption
3. Know and Respect the Law IT’S ILLEGAL UNDER AGE 21!!! OffenseLoss of License Test Failure 1st Offense 3 months Test Refusal 1st Offense 6 months Test Failure 2nd Offense 1 year Test Refusal 2nd Offense 2 years Use it lose it penalties: $250 fine
3. Know and Respect the Law FAKE ID’S ARE ILLEGAL!!!! • Possession or Use of a Fake Drivers License or State ID: Automatic 1 year suspension of your driver’s license, a minimum fine of $500 and up to 1 year in jail. • Displaying Another Person’s Driver’s License or State ID as Your Own or Lending Yours to Another Person: Automatic 1 year driver’s license suspension for both parties plus a minimum $500 fine and up to 1 year in jail. • Altering or Manufacturing a Driver’s License or State ID: Automatic 1 year driver’s license suspension plus Class 4 Felony charges of 1-3 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
3. Know and Respect the Law • IWU Alcohol Policy and Adjudication Guidelines - Enforced consistently - http://www2.iwu.edu/judicial/Alcohol_Policy.shtml
Media College students are:
Underage drinking on many campuses is widespread, unsafe, and in all cases illegal. “Do you recognize any of these young men”?
4. WHAT ARE THE TRUE NORMS?Alcohol Use at Illinois Wesleyan University Measure Used: Core Alcohol and Drug Survey • Developed at Southern Illinois University • Measures alcohol and other drug use, attitudes and perceptions among college students • Used throughout the state as well as nationally • 2010 Aggregate National Data • 116 Institutions • N = 56,937
Alcohol Use at Illinois Wesleyan University 2013 Sample: ORL, Fraternities/Sororities, Off-Campus Total surveys distributed: The entire campus was invited to participate using and electronic survey distribution (N = 2,100) Surveys returned: 643 Return Rate: 31%
2013 – National and IWU Comparisons – Average Drinks per Week
2013 - IWU Class Comparisons- Drinks Consumed in an Average Week
2013 - IWU Age of First Alcohol Use *Approximately 10% of IWU first- year students are under age 18 * 11.2% started using alcohol at age 15 or younger
Grades and Alcohol Average Drinks Per Week Grades
5. Take Advantage of Campus Resources • Over 150 student organizations • Late night activities through the Student Activities Office – Hansen Student Center • Passive and active alcohol education efforts – on-line programs • Arnold Health Services Magill Hall (lower level) 556-3107 • Counseling and Consultation Services - http://www2.iwu.edu/ccs/ (309) 556-3052
Guidelines to help think about the use and non-use of alcohol • Know personal limits of moderation (BNCCC - Bloomington-Normal Community Campus Committee) 0-0-1-3 - 0 – Zero alcohol if you are under 21 - 0 – Zero alcohol if you are driving - 1 – One drink per hour sets the pace for moderate drinking • 3 – No more than 3 drinks per day and never daily if you choose to drink • To use or not to use is a personal choice. Help your son or daughter know the facts about this personal choice. CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!!