Conference discusses drinking statistics

By Cindy Gonzales

Project director of Social Norms Marketing Sam Gitchel said campus drinking is below the national average. Gitschel said students have about 2.8 drinks at parties, compared to the national average of five.

"Our students are making wise choices and taking care of themselves," Gitchel said. Gitchel gives credit to the students for the positive statistic, because, he said, they are making the right choices.

This issue, and other alcohol-related issues, was on the minds of about 50 students Monday, as they listened to a student-led news conference held in The Pit at the University Student Union.

Speakers, including Associated Students president Molly Fagundes, co-chair of the Student Alcohol Advisory Committee Roberto Vaca, football player Jamal Jones and Delta Gamma sorority member Krista Marcelli, recognized the first day of Alcohol Awareness Week by discussing the latest survey information about college drinking.

"It's a collegiate program to the commitment and importance of alcohol awareness," said Fagundes, who said Fresno State started the weeklong program in 2001, joining 3,000 other colleges in a nationwide effort to raise alcohol awareness on college campuses. Fagundes said the program has allowed students to make better choices about alcohol.

Vaca, co-chair of the committee, agrees.

In a campus survey of 606 Fresno State students conducted by University Health and Psychological Services, Vaca said , most students abstain from alcohol or have one to three drinks when partying.

"Irresponsible drinking continues in a small amount of students," Vaca said.

He said it is important for students to always have a designated driver or go out with a group of friends that will take care of those who drink and understand the effects of alcohol.

Juan Pablo Moncayo, a junior physics major, participated in the activities by handing out pamphlets and discussing with students the facts and information about Fresno State students’ drinking habits.

"Our goal is to get everyone to drink responsibly," Moncayo said.

Moncayo said the program was not intended as a scare tactic to get students to stop drinking, but to show them they can drink in moderation and still be safe when partying with friends.