MEDIA CONTACT: José A. Alvarez (619) 594-2585 jose.alvarez@sdsu.edu

 

SDSU students encourage peers to "party without regrets"

 

Spring break is traditionally a time for increased alcohol consumption by college students. Knowing this, some San Diego State University students are encouraging their peers to limit their alcohol intake and have a safe spring break.

"We are not telling them not to drink because that is totally unrealistic," said Josh Aull, president of Student to Student, a comprehensive drug and alcohol prevention program at SDSU. "We are not preaching to them. What we are trying to do is educate them about the dangers of consuming excess alcohol," added Aull, explaining that often times it,s better if the message comes from other students because "they are more receptive to us."

Aull and members of his organization will try to get their message across by distributing pamphlets on how to "party without regrets" at a "Toss Your Cookies" booth during SDSU,s Spring Fiesta, a three-day event filled with fun and entertainment for the students. This year,s Fiesta will take place March 16-18 on the SDSU campus.

The booth will be shaped like a toilet to remind the students about what can happen when alcohol is abused. It is part of the Bottoms Up! campaign a sick student with his head in the toilet"taking place at SDSU and other California universities.

The students, involvement also includes visiting establishments that serve alcohol in San Diego and Tijuana"and asking them to eliminate all advertising that promotes binge drinking and getting them to agree to certain price and availability standards.

"It,s not an abstinence campaign," said Dr. Louise Stanger, director of the program and a lecturer at SDSU,s School of Social Work. Dr. Stanger added that what they are trying to do is get students to avoid becoming binge drinkers and getting those that consume more than four drinks in one sitting to reduce their alcohol intake.

"We know that students are drinking and that asking them to say No, does not work," added Dr. Stanger. "It,s about getting them to say yes, so that they can have a safe and healthy spring break."

For more information on the Student to Student program, call (619) 594-5803.

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