Awareness Week focuses on perils of alcohol abuse

Throughout the week of April 3, events were planned in part by Student Athlete Mentors (SAM) and the Wellness Center to raise awareness about alcohol.
“Students think they are invincible and they are not.  People and students need to realize how serious alcohol is,” said Jen Casale of the Wellness Center. 
Hugh Chisholm, a senior soccer player, helped to coordinate the week’s events. 
On Monday, Karaoke Revolution along with raffles took place and on Tuesday, Tony D’Angelo spoke during the program “Maximize Your Buzz.”  On Wednesday, alcohol screenings were done, which was sponsored by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and Thursday “Navigate Your Fate” was held.
This was a simulation in which “beer goggles” were placed on a student, which impaired vision. Then they were to navigate their way through a cone course while driving a golf cart.  Deputy Dan Lyons of the Rochester Police Department was on hand at this event. 
The intentions of this week were to “make students aware of the dangers of alcohol and show the misconceptions of college students,” said Chisholm. 
Maureen Niche said the week is necessary to raise consciousness especially of drunk driving. 
“Navigate Your Fate shows people how incapable they are of driving under the influence and it is important that students know who they are riding with,” she said.
At the national level, 300,000 college students will die due to alcohol related incidents. 
Spending an average of $900 a year for alcohol, nearly 160,000 students will drop out of college after their first year. 

While many drop out of college due to alcohol abuse, one third of students miss one or more classes due to the effects of alcohol.

By Kate List
kel00577@sjfc.edu