cover The EDGE page 8 Wednesday, Nov 8, 1995 drug awareness week hits UNBC November 19-25th is Drug Awareness: Week (DAW). This annual national event the focuses attention on alcohol and other drug misuse issues. Events like DAW are especially important on post- secondary campuses, where the issue of drug and alcohol abuse is a major concern. The Women Studies in Alcohol Prevention Project concluded that up to 75% of youth enrolled in first year post- secondary students show signifi- cant increases in alcohol consump- tion compared with pre-entrance levels of drinking. This problem with alcohol con- sumption is only compounded by the increase in crimes involving alcohol. With the National Counter Attack programs, Canada has become aware of the problem of drunk drivers. However im- paired driving is not the only criminal offense related to the con- sumption of liquor. According to the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey (Southern Illinois University) 64% of college stu- dents who were physically as- saulted reported that they either drank alcohol or took drugs shortly before the attack. The statistics were even higher for cases of date rape, reaching 77%. Nation-wide studies have shown that youth between the ages of 12-18 drink more than adults (20-35). This fact is supported by a study by the ARF: Highlight University Students Drug Use and Lifestyle Behaviors. This study shows that First-year students drink more than second- ' year students, second-year stu- dents drink more than third-year students and fourth-year students drink the least. Studies like these prove that substance abuse especially alcohol abuse is definitely a problem. Unfortunately, they do not tell us how to solve them. The National Counter Attack program has made by dale bowyer an effort to deter people from driv- ing while under the influence, by using aparticularly graphic adver- tisement campaign. Other pro- grams like Drug Awareness Week serve the same purpose. We have all been made aware of the prob- lems. Now it is up to us to do some- thing about it. SS WEEK NOVEMBER 19-25 1995 DRUG AWARENE How well do you know your drinking habits? To find out, answer questions 1 to 10 of the Personal Drinking Checklist and total your score. For each question, check the box beside the choice which best describes your usual behavior. If an activity does not apply to you, check “never”. Refer to the panel at the right for more information about each question. 1. Number of drinks* ! usually have in a week: 2. 1 drive a car, truck, motorcycle, or snowmobile after drinking: 3. I have more than 4 drinks (men), or 3 drinks (women) in one day: 4. \ have more than one drink per hour: 5. I drink with the intention of getting drunk or intoxicated: 6. I drink before studying, while studying or when | should be studying: 7. I drink when | am taking non- prescription or prescription drugs: never 8. | drink before/during recreational or sports activities (e.g. swimmin skiing, boating, teamsports, hunting): 9. | drink when | feel depressed, lonely, or under stress: 10. | encourage other drinkers to adopt sensible drinking habits: Step 1: Total the checks in each column. Step 2: Multiply totals by the points indicated. Step 3: Add your score across the bottom. * A drink is one 12 oz. bottle of beer (5% alcohol); 5 oz. wine (12% alcohol); 3 oz. fortified wine (e.g. sherry); or 7 1/2 spirits (e.g. rye, gin, rum) YOUR GUIDE TO THE CHECKLIST This checklist provides you with information you need to make sensible choices about drinking. Sensible or moderate drinking means following practices that !imit your risk of alcohol problems. A score of 50 (5 points a question) is the best way to reach this goal. For each question scored 4 or less, you are at increased risk of problems. The lower you score, the higher your risk. The Personal Checklist is not intended for \ drinkers who have had severe alcohol = problems or received treatment: Drug Awareness Week November 19 - 25, 1995 If'you or someone you know needs help with an alcohol or other drug problem, please call the BC Alcohol and Drug Information Referral Service for 24 hour assistance or information. Lower Mainland: 660-9382 Outside Lower Mainland: 1-800-663-1441 B.C. MINISTRY OF HEALTH 1-6 7-12 13-18 19-24 C] more , drinks drinks drinks drinks than 24 drinks Cl almost cl about once Cl about once more than never never a month a week once a week F4 almost C about once about once more than never never a month a week once a week almost most times every time i never never [J occasionally L] 1 drink L] | drink [} almost | about once i | about once more than never never a month a week | once a week C] almost C] about once C] about once more than never never a month a week once a week almost almost never CJ occasionally C] often (Eines almost almost lia] never never C] occasionally [J often always Cc almost C about once about once more than never never a month a week once a week once in almost C] regularlyL_] often a while never - CL never x5pts x4pts x3pts x 2pts BEER & PRETZEL LOGIC Guidelines for Sensible Drinking Question 1: You're in the same group as almost 50% of all drinkers if you have 1 to 6 drinks a week -— levels unlikely to cause alcohol problems in most people. About 70% of all drinkers have 12 drinks or less a week. More than 12 drinks a week greatly increases your risk of alcohol problems. The less you drink, the lower your risk. Question 2: Any alcohol in your blood will impair reaction time, side vision, and other vital functions need- ed to drive. The only safe choice is to drive with no alcohol in your body. Questions 3,4,5: Some effects of alco- hol depend on how much and how fast you drink. Men who have more than 4 _ drinks a day, and women who have more than 3, are at greater risk of problems. More than 1 drink an hour increases your risk of becoming drunk. Also, if your intention is to get drunk, you are at greater risk of problems, including severe dependency. Question 6: Alcohol reduces your abil- ity to perform. This is one of the most common examples of how drinking can undermine your goals and potential. Question 7: Alcohol, combined with most drugs, causes high levels of impairment. If you are taking medica- tion, you should never drink unless you first check with your doctor or pharmacist. Question 8: Drinking affects your balance, reflexes, and hand-eye coor- dination. Any time that you drink and participate in recreational activities, you increase your risk of accidents. Question 9: Alcohol is a depressant drug, not a problem solver. If you drink to avoid stress, pain or loneliness, you are at increased risk of developing alcohol problems and dependence. Question 10: If you've watched friends or family drink recklessly and said nothing, your lack of criticism could be interpreted as support for their actions. An alternative is to take a stand by encouraging those around you to drink sensibly. Permission to reprint during Drug Awareness Week, 1995 granted by Homewood Health Services: 150 Delhi Street, Guelph Ontario Canada N1E 6K9 1-519-824-1010 STAFF CREDITS EDITOR “MANPREET SIDHU PAUL BERARD And that other person??? WRITERS VINCE YIM JAMES GORDON PAUL BERARD DOUG SMITH CHARLOTTE McLEAN STEPHANIE WILLETT THE LADY OF THE LAKE THE BRIGHT LADY "JASON" BRIAN DOUGHERTY IAN LORENZ SHEILA WANNER JES BURKITT. LENA HENNING JASON MORRIS DALE BOWYER LAYOUT PAUL BERARD LENA HENNING NAMDAM EHT SUIDEM HCRAIRTAM MADAM IM ADAM JES BURKITT GRAPHICS KELLY PHILLIPS MORTAL SUPPORT SIMON Very affectionate | kitty, FREE to good home. |} It’s a stray who hangs out at my house. I can’t keep him and I don’t want to bring him to the SPCA. Help! Call Audrey at 964-1360