Our Purpose

A 2002 report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that 1,400 college students die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries each year.

In addition, alcohol is involved in 500,000 unintentional injuries, 600,000 assaults, and 70,000 cases of sexual assault and acquaintance rape.

According to a report by the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, marijuana use has increased in the 1990s in college campuses across the country. Sustained marijuana use may directly affect academic achievement as students may experience difficulty with problem solving and poor long-term memory.

Where does PLU fit in all of this?

According to the crime statistics put out by Campus Safety, in 2001, there were 56 liquor law violations reported to student conduct. Only one liquor law violation resulted in an arrest.

Five drug violations were reported to student conduct. There were no reported arrests.
As the class discussed possible topics for the project, some students observed they knew of more incidents related to drugs and alcohol than ever reached the conduct board or The Mast’s Campus Safety Beat.

Alcohol and drug abuse affects not only to the abuser, but also those around them. Project coordinator, senior Megan Freiling said, “If you live on-campus or near campus, you know how often your peers are affected by alcohol. In the long-run it affects the entire PLU community.”

But the problem cannot be addressed until it is acknowledged. For that reason, the Communication 480: In-depth and Investigative Reporting Class chose to spend spring semester investigating the prevalence and implications of drug and alcohol abuse on the PLU campus.

Among the questions and issues we will address:

· How prevalent is drug and alcohol use on-campus? Off-campus?
· What is the student conduct process for drug/alcohol violations? When does the Pierce County Sheriffs Department get involved?
· How can students spot and confront alcoholism?
· What are some of the services offered at PLU to help with alcoholism?
· Are there possible health benefits of alcohol and marijuana?
· How is alcohol marketed to minors?
· How prevalent is drug and alcohol use among athletes?
· What are some options and alternatives for students who choose not to drink?

Drug and alcohol abuse affects the entire community. Friends and family are pained by the experiences of someone struggling with alcohol. Neighbors are disrupted by loud parties.

We cannot begin to solve the problems drug and alcohol abuse creates until we acknowledge and confront the issue. Equipped with the knowledge of the problem, we can work together for a solution.

Back to Top

Other Links

Pierce County Alcohol Anonymous | Washington Narcotics Anonymous
Pierce County Crisis Line | Facts on Tap | PLU Student Handbook
D.A.R.E. of America