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Media Credit: Victor Rollins

Splashed across television screens every year are shows that glorify college drinking and partying. What is not known is that alcohol consumption for students is at an all-time high.

The Veteran's Organization at Daytona State is looking to tackle this problem with an Alcohol Awareness Day on April 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by the clock tower on the Daytona Beach campus.

"Although we aren't a big school we thought that it would be informative," said Counselor and Director of the Veteran's Organization, Miguel Rivera. "A lot of schools throughout the country have started programs to help students with drinking. We want to help raise awareness."

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA), 1,700 college students die due to alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including car crashes. Another 599,000 are injured unintentionally while under the influence.

Many students participate in binge drinking, which is defined as drinking more than four alcoholic beverages in one sitting. In a survey conducted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 54 percent of binge drinking college students admit to blacking out and forgetting what they did during a night drinking. A quarter of students admit they have faced academic consequences such as missing class, getting a bad grade or getting into a confrontation as a result of drinking.

"Most people won't admit that they have a drinking problem, just like with drug abuse they are in denial," said Rivera. "They will say things like I just like to have fun or drinking makes me feel better."

Alcohol is a depressant, contrary to what some may have heard. It slows down the responses of the nervous system. It impairs depth perception, speech, reflexes and it can even cause individuals to become belligerent and angry.

Alcohol is also a drug and combining it with any other drug can be dangerous. Alcohol and acetaminophen - a common ingredient in over the counter medication and fever reducers -- can damage your liver. Alcohol mixed with other drugs can cause nausea, vomiting, fainting, heart problems and difficulty breathing. Mixing alcohol and drugs also can lead to coma and death.

Ashley Copeland, a Daytona State student, has seen the consequences of drinking at parties. "Sometimes it's hard to see your friends drunk. They are falling all over the place. You either have two types of drunks, the ones that love everybody or the ones who want to fight," she said. "I try to be the sober one to control what happens at parties or the club."

There are many ways to tell if a friend has a drinking problem: if they are getting drunk on a regular basis, lying about the amount of alcohol they are using, having frequent hangovers or are feeling run-down, depressed or suicidal.

"Alcohol use is sometimes a direct risk factor for suicide and alcohol can make them feel even worse," Rivera said. "Depression causes people to self medicate."

During Alcohol Awareness Day students will complete an obstacle course with drunken goggles on. Drunken goggles are designed to make the person wearing them feel inebriated, to show them how it feels to be drunk. This course is meant to be fun yet informative. More information on activities will be available at a later time.

There will be a pre-screening and if help is needed everything is confidential. Although the school doesn't have an outreach facility, the staff will help in any way possible. Counselors can be found in Bldg. 100, Rm. 205. Appointments can be set over the phone or by walk-ins.

"Everyone is invited to come out, it will be fun and they will get a lot of information," said Rivera. "We want to be a support system for the students. We are here if they need help with anything."

For more information or if you want to help in any way contact Miguel Rivera at 386-506-3814 or by e-mail at riveram@daytonastate.edu

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