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National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week October 21-27

NIRSA joins The Bacchus Network and the Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol in promoting the NCAAW

In October, college and university students will join with their peers on more than 1,000 campuses across the country to promote National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW), October 21-27. During NCAAW, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of events, all designed by the campus to reinforce personal responsibility and respect for current state laws and school policies when it comes to the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

NCAAW has grown to become the largest single event in all of academia because students take the ownership in designing and implementing this observance for their campus communities. This week gives campuses the opportunity to showcase healthy lifestyles free from the abuse or illegal use of alcohol and to combat negative stereotypes of college drinking behavior.

"NCAAW remains a cornerstone in campus alcohol abuse prevention efforts," said Dr. Edward Hammond, NCAAW's Chairman and President of Fort Hays State University in Kansas. "All college and university offices need to empower students to take responsibility for their own decisions and the campus environment when it comes to alcohol. We have to engage and empower students to take care of themselves and each other."

NCAAW is promoted by the Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Issues. This coalition of higher education associations is dedicated to promoting education, prevention, research, networking, and national initiatives to help eliminate substance abuse and the problems it causes on our college and university campuses. NIRSA is one of the member associations of the Task Force.

The 2007 NCAAW Campaign Theme developed by The BACCHUS Network contains a message of student empowerment to make and keep connections with friends and stay safe in social situations where alcohol may be present. The RU Connected? campaign messages support personal responsibility and contain practical safety tips about avoiding excessive drinking, not driving after drinking, and not riding with a driver who has been drinking. It reminds students to stay connected to friends for safety.

NCAAW activities vary from campus to campus, but typically include informative presentations and social events that promote responsibility and healthy, safe decisions about alcohol. For campaign educational materials for NCAAW and alcohol abuse prevention, visit www.bacchusnetwork.org.