Armed By Facts and Peers, UVA Curbs Drinking

NPR has a great article out about University of Virginia and their efforts to curb under-aged drinking and alcohol abuse.  UVA is using two methods that seem so obvious, it is hard to believe that more colleges don’t implement these policies.

First, UVA does a great job of understanding their students.  They do this by polling their students to better grasp the true drinking habits of their students, but they don’t stop there.  They actually effectively communicate those habits to their students.  This is important because more often than not, the statistics tear down the stereotypes.  Less people drink heavily in college than you think.  And when you understand this fact, you don’t need to feel like you are a social outcast if you don’t drink your face off.

Secondly, UVA uses peer counseling to help people understand the risks of drinking and deal with drinking issues.  Many people in college have issues with alcohol and it is important to deal with those problems.  But help won’t come from “security” or “the administration”.  It is going to come from your friends, and it is nice to see a college levereging the power the community.