Drinking by Degrees

August 08, 2007

It started out as a fun night on the town, but before the evening was over one person would have her drink spiked, another would wind up in hospital and a third would be charged by the police. Tomorrow's headlines? No, just the fictional subject of a forum on alcohol use – and abuse – to be staged at the University of New England next week.

The forum, titled "Drinking by Degrees", will be modelled on the Hypotheticals program hosted by Geoffrey Robertson on ABC TV in the late 1980s. It will bring together a panel of 15 experts – among them doctors, psychologists and police – to discuss the health, legal and safety issues surrounding alcohol use by young people, especially university students.

"We're going to be looking at things like students' understanding of standard drinks and the significance of alcohol to their social activities both within and outside the colleges," said Annette Stevenson, a counsellor in UNE's Student Assist office and the organiser of the forum.

"We'll be asking students what they see as the pros and cons of alcohol use at university and finding out what steps they have put in place to minimise the risks. We'll also be looking at some of the serious consequences of the excessive use of alcohol and other drugs.

"Ultimately we're trying to get students to look at ways of reducing the risks or taking a harm minimisation approach to their drinking."

Students often had no idea what constituted a standard drink or of the dangers of mixing alcohol with other drugs, Ms Stevenson said. By taking a more considered approach to their drinking they could achieve a better balance between their social life and their studies, she said.

The night promises to be both informative and fun, with prizes, giveaways and hands-on experiences such as "Fatal Vision" goggles, which give the wearer a taste of what it's like to perform simple tasks while under the influence of alcohol. Lecturer Peter McClenaghan will compère the forum, drawing on the oratorical skills that last month earned him the title of Mentor of the Year at the Students In Free Enterprise National Conference.

Drinking by Degrees will be held at Lazenby Hall at the University of New England on Monday, August 13. The forum will start at 7 pm; educational displays, mocktails, and giveaways will be in the foyer from 6 pm. The cost will be a gold coin donation at the door, with all proceeds going to TUNE FM, the university's community radio station. TUNE FM will broadcast live coverage of the forum, and students from the Armidale Film and Television School will film the event.

For more information contact Annette Stevenson on (02) 6773 2897 or Leon Braun (UNE Public Relations) on (02) 6773 3771. A photo is available to accompany this story.

Posted by Leon Braun at August 8, 2007 05:19 PM