What September Means for Wisconsin

September is upon us, and every Wisconsinite knows what that means!

Football season

The season of fall

Falling, wasted college kids

Wait, what? Which one of these things doesn’t quite belong?

Whether it’s on your radar or not, September is the start of a new school year for everyone—from five year-olds who are fairy princesses on their down-time to college super-seniors, who after several beers, think they can fly. Unfortunately, some fantasies are more dangerous than others. And unfortunately, some dangers of risky drinking behavior are not taken as seriously as they should be.

But why not? Aren’t those college-aged kids at a point in their life where they understand the negative effects of alcohol? Well, yes…and no. People learn by example, and what can college kids learn from the examples given to them about what they should be doing? When they watch movies, they see people their age partying, having fun, hooking up with attractive people, and rarely do any negative consequences occur, or if they do, they can all be resolved within the last 15 minutes of the film. What’s more, Wisconsin’s alcohol culture breeds an environment for college kids that says drinking is not only acceptable, it’s expected. If you know anything about social norms, you’ll know that if you break one, you’re an outcast, you’re different—not normal.

So college kids—especially underage drinkers who have recently left the comforts of their family and high school friends, desperately in need of social acceptance—raise their glasses and say three cheers for inebriated interaction. And what do they find? An “enhanced” version of themselves with fewer inhibitions, more social courageousness, and a new world full of adventure…if they are lucky. The problem is that young people see themselves as being invincible. They tend to think that, “It can’t happen to me, or people like me.”

But it can. If you’re lucky, you’re first real drinking experience will only leave you slightly nauseated with a headache that can be managed with pretzels and water for half a day. But what about those people that aren’t so lucky? Those that kill someone while driving intoxicated, get arrested, suffer academically because of alcohol problems, or get violated sexually. What about those college-age kids who drink so much that they die?

We have a problem here, Wisconsin. September is a month of colors changing on leaves, jeans and t-shirt weather, a time for end of summer bonfires, and watching football with family. But as college students make the trek back to school, it may mean something entirely different and a lot less safe for them. This is because of our state’s perception of alcohol. Only when we look at alcohol as something that can be safely and responsibly enjoyed can we say that our alcohol culture has changed for the better.

Maybe you’re thinking this goal is too unattainable, and let’s be honest, it is a lofty goal, but it can be done. But the wheels need to be set in motion by you. How can you do this? Well let’s start by looking at college-aged drinking:

-If you’re a parent of someone who is college-aged or even younger and you have not yet discussed responsible drinking with your child, now is the time. Make sure they know the consequences of underage drinking, drinking and driving, and excessive drinking. Let them know the physical damage abusive drinking can do. Keep lines of communication open, and keep your eyes open for signs that your child has been abusing alcohol (mood swings, poor grades, a secretive attitude about their social life).

-If you are someone who is concerned with Wisconsin’s overconsumption of alcohol, get involved! Write letters to your representatives. Let them know we need to make curbing alcohol abuse a priority in our state by creating environments that encourage healthy choices. Send letters to your local or state newspaper editors that discuss how alcohol abuse is affecting your town, city, or the state as a whole. Join and connect with organizations and coalitions that focus on changing and creating alcohol policy that will lead to positive effects like healthier communities. Check out the Dane County Coalition to Reduce Alcohol Abuse for more info.

-If you’re a student, realize and understand the effects of your potential drinking. Students who have three or less drinks per week end up having the highest grades statistically. Drinking also affects your figure and can give you a “beer belly” whether you drink beer or not. This “beer belly” is actually known as visceral fat, and people who have this fat are known to have poor health outcomes later in life, such as chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). According to Hingson, et al., data from 2009 showed 1,825 college students had alcohol related deaths. If you are unimpressed by that number, why not think about the 599,000 college students who were unintentionally injured while intoxicated, the 696,000 students assaulted by another students who had been drinking, or the 97,000 students who were victims of sexual assault or rape.

If the numbers aren’t sinking in here’s a true story that might. A friend of a friend of mine who will be known anonymously as Wendy went to a party where she knew everyone. She got drunk, and was having a good time until a male friend who will be named Tom took her to a room. Everyone was outside, so no one saw Tom lay Wendy down on a bed. Wendy, too intoxicated to say stop or restrain Tom, laid there as Tom sexually violated her, but fortunately stopped before things escalated further.

Wendy was one of those people who said, “It won’t happen to me.” Here’s the truth: The only reason you claim invincibility when you are drunk is because that is how you feel. But no feeling will stop negative consequences when they come knocking at your door.

Wisconsin’s alcohol culture needs a makeover, but it won’t spread statewide overnight. Our state’s perceptions of alcohol start with you, in your homes, with your children. Change can start with you as you set an example by drinking responsibly after work at a social event or at a community festival. You can become involved in policy and let your representatives know that you don’t think the way Wisconsinites abuse alcohol is acceptable. The more you do these things, and encourage others to do the same, the faster we can create a ripple effect that will eventually bring waves of change. Wisconsin’s got a long way to go, but we can make stories of overconsumption, multiple OWIs and stories like Wendy’s a thing of the past. We can make September a time for family, a time to (literally) turn over a new leaf. We can make September a time for college kids, and all others, to learn and grow.

Hingson R, McGovern T, Howland J, Hereen T, Winter M, Zakocs R. Reducing alcohol-impaired driving in Massachusetts: The Saving Lives program. American Journal of Public Health 86:791-797, 1996b.