Survey shows low-risk choices

Dear Editor:

I would like to respond to Tuesday’s editorial, “Denying the problem doesn’t erase it.” The editorial was written in response to an article in The Dallas Morning News from April 13. We would like to thank the editorial board for an opportunity to correct misinformation and misunderstanding.

First of all, the research mentioned in the editorial was conducted in fall of 2000 and reflected surveys were completed by 460 SMU students. The survey was conducted by the SMU Center for Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention when BACCHUS President Robin Barker was still in high school. We have a much more recent survey, the “SMU Survey of Alcohol Norms,” which was completed this semester. This survey more than doubled the sample size of the 2000 survey to 983 students. Interestingly, the survey results were very consistent with results obtained in the 2000 survey. No students were “approached by a university-sponsored researcher.” Surveys were anonymous, and were distributed by faculty members in their classrooms. Participation in the survey was optional.

In our most recent survey, 20.4 percent of SMU undergraduates reported that they do not drink alcohol, 1 percent reported they were problem drinkers in recovery, 36.5 percent reported they were “light drinkers,” 34 percent reported they were “moderate drinkers,” 6.7 percent reported they were “heavy drinkers,” and 0.4 percent reported they were “problem drinkers.” Although “the belief that one must drink in order to fit in at SMU seems well founded,” our surveys suggest that this belief is not accurate. Perhaps this myth is perpetuated because the heavy drinkers and problem drinkers are the students who are the most highly visible (DWI, Public Intoxication, Alcohol Poisoning, fights, assaults, vandalism, thefts, etc.). We don’t usually recognize those students who are making low-risk choices, even though they may be a majority. Remember, the stereotype of the heavy-drinking white male fraternity member is just that – a stereotype. I’ve met many fraternity members who consistently make low risk drinking choices.

We acknowledge that many students are making unhealthy, dangerous and self-destructive decisions regarding alcohol use. Our office provides counseling for many students who are experiencing negative consequences due to their high-risk drinking. There is no “denying that there is a problem,” but the research suggests that the problem is not as widespread as people think. The research shows that most students are making healthy choices. 56.7 percent of SMU students drink 0-4 drinks when they party, 65.7 percent of SMU students drink 0-5 drinks per week and 66.6 percent of SMU students did not ride with a drunk driver this month. These numbers come from research conducted by our office. We also believe that most SMU students are honest on surveys. Our most recent survey contained checks for random answering and inconsistent reporting. We excluded about 10 percent of the surveys because students did not follow the instructions, or were inconsistent with the information they reported.

We are glad that the editorial board agrees that we should teach students about responsible drinking. We must work together to find solutions to the tragic consequences experienced by so many 18-24 year old college students due to their misuse of alcohol.

John Sanger
Director, SMU Center for Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention