While University students still enjoy wearing costumes and eating candy on Halloween, they usually find themselves drinking something a little stronger than witches’ brew fruit punch. The Registered Student Organization Special Populations will partner up with McKinley Health Center’s Alcohol and Other Drug Office to host an Alcohol Awareness seminar to teach students how to be safe during the holiday.

The Alcohol Awareness seminar, “Think Before You Drink,” will take place on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Temple Hoyne Buell Hall. While the seminar occurs close to Halloween, it also takes place during the National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week Campaign. Alcohol Awareness has been put on annually since 2006, according to Maureen Schoen, treasurer of Special Populations and senior in Media. 

University Police Officer Ryan Snow will be participating in the panel during the seminar to educate students on safe alcohol consumption as well as discuss what he and his department witnesses when they see intoxicated students.

“I wanted to participate in the panel to help educate people on the topic of alcohol abuse,” Snow wrote in an email. “A lot of issues that police handle have alcohol as the root problem. The students are at a higher risk because of the environment that surrounds them and the peer pressure that exists in the university setting.”

Mary Russell, a clinical psychologist at McKinley’s Alcohol and Other Drug Office, also believes student education is key. Russell explained that students typically come to the Alcohol and Other Drug Office based upon a doctor’s referral after a concerning hospital visit involving alcohol- or drug-related incidents.

“Students can think about how to have the good effects of alcohol without risking negative consequences,” Russell said. 

Schoen explained that “Think Before You Drink” seminar has an interactive obstacle course that includes having students put on “drunk goggles” while using their cellphones or walking straight lines. Students also get to see how much alcohol a shot contains by estimating how much a shot is while pouring liquid into a red Solo cup. Students will see if their estimate is under or above what a shot glass actually holds. There will also be myth and fact posters as well as a panel with police officers, such as Snow, and coroners.

“I think students get a better understanding of drinking … it’s telling them to be responsible when you drink,” Schoen said. 

Russell thinks it is beneficial for students to get local and community information. 

“The police on the panel are important because students get to see the people who are in charge of their safety,” Russell said.

Snow wrote that the department’s biggest concern around holidays is student safety. 

“The number of students that we transport to the hospital because of intoxication on holiday or event weekends can be shocking,” Snow wrote. “However, we would like to get those calls from other students rather than have them never get the help that they need. … After they get transported, we try to follow up with them and make sure they talk to someone about the concerns we have about alcohol abuse.”

Snow also gave some advice for University students. 

“Students need to stay in groups; leave and come home with the same number of people,” he wrote. “A lot of bad decisions are made when people are drinking, but sometimes if friends are together they can influence good decisions instead of the bad ones. Also, drink slowly. … If people drink slowly, they are more likely to feel the alcohol influencing their bodies and will be able to switch to water before they become overly intoxicated.”

Schoen said that the turnout for “Think Before You Drink” is usually around 200 to 300 participants. Attending students are usually in the community health or pre-health fields. 

On the panel, Snow will have information for students about city fines and education within the community, and he will inform students about ways to find help for themselves when they feel they are having problems. 

Snow explained that if students are responsible with their alcohol and are informed, then students will have a safer time out at night. 

“The biggest issues we face are alcohol-related issues such as fights, medical transports due to intoxication and damage to property,” Snow wrote. “Once again, most of the issues we respond to will often have alcohol as the root problem. If people drink responsibly, everyone can have a good night.”

Mara can be reached at [email protected].