Returning Veterans
October 6, 2008
Partners in Prevention schools have recognized the need to better understand the needs of returning veterans on campus. In a recent monthly meeting, PIP campuses discussed the need for more outreach to returning veterans as well as greater assessment of the needs of this special population. Partners in Prevention recognizes that returning veterans may be at greater risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug abuse and dependency, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and other addictions.
For our discussion, our facilitator, Bill Smith, BSW, MS, US Army ‘89-’92, USAR ‘92-’97, current Health Educator and PIP member at the University of Missouri Kansas City, provided the following powerpoint presentation as well as the documents below.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is making the reintegration needs of returning veterans a top priority in agency efforts to promote mental health and to prevent and treat substance abuse by offering a Web site dedicated to providing resources for returning veterans and their families. http://www.samhsa.gov/vets/
Highlighted Resources
NASPA Journal Article which features recent interviews with student veterans
Article regarding post-deployment and mental health effects
Recent Articles Published
Many Combat Vets Turn To Alcohol, Study Says
After the Battle, Fighting the Bottle At Home
Iraq Stress Hits Veterans of Past Wars
Resources for After Deployment - provided by the Military Health System
Veterans Facilities and Directory for Missouri
Partners in Prevention’s Response to the Amethyst Initiative
August 26, 2008
The professional staff of Missouri Partners in Prevention believes there is sound science behind the age 21 drinking law. The Amethyst Initiative claims that “the 21 year-old drinking age is not working, and, specifically, that it has created a culture of dangerous binge drinking on their campuses.” Missouri PIP communities have reduced binge drinking across the state 15% since 2001 without a change in the drinking age. College administrators at public universities in Missouri value comprehensive, evidence-based prevention strategies by serving as members of Partners in Prevention. It is clear that the strategies of campuses in PIP are working and making progress to reduce the binge drinking rate and associated negative consequences. Because of their efforts, the work of Partners in Prevention campuses will receive a 2008 National Exemplary Award for Innovative Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Practices and Policies at the National Prevention Network Conference in August 2008.
Responses to the questions raised by the Amethyst Initiative
Is the 21 year old drinking age working?
Although there are a number of students who consume alcohol under the age of 21, that is not a sufficient reason for lowering the drinking age. If the drinking age were lowered to 18, alcohol use would increase among high school students and perhaps even middle school students. We would likely witness 16 and 17 year olds with fake IDs.
We do not change laws just because people break those laws. The speed limit laws are a great example. A significant number of drivers drive 79 miles an hour when the speed limit is 70. Does that mean we increase the speed limit to 80? If we did, we would suggest that people might start driving 89 miles an hour making the situation even worse.
The law is not the problem. The problem is a lack of enforcement of these laws and the easy access and availability of alcohol to underage students. The results of the Missouri College Student Health Behavior Survey 2008 indicate that of the underage drinkers who consumed alcohol, most got their alcohol by going to a place where IDs were not checked, they knew someone at a bar or restaurant who would serve them, they used a fake I.D. or used someone else’s I.D.
In spite of the fact that a majority of college students under the age of 21 do drink alcohol, there is a greater number of over 21 year old students who consume alcohol. It is a myth that once students turn 21 they stop drinking or decrease their drinking. The drinking rate for Missouri college students under 21 is lower than the drinking rate for those of drinking age (Missouri College Health Behavior Survey,2008)
Does the 21 year old drinking age create a culture of binge drinking?
The binge drinking culture exists due to a long list of influences least of which are; the popular media (TV, movies and music) glamorizing alcohol, the alcohol industry spending billions of dollars every year on advertising, much of which targets youth, and traditions on college campuses where alcohol is significantly involved. There is no scientific evidence that the 21 year old drinking age caused this binge drinking culture.
Would lowering the drinking age allow us to educate students about responsible use?
The drinking age law does not need to change in order to educate students about responsible use. When educating underage students about alcohol, the college prevention programs affiliated with PIP throughout Missouri help students understand the consequences (legal, financial) of underage drinking. Knowing that some students are going to choose to drink in spite of the law, preventionists challenge students to make informed, responsible decisions regarding their consumption of alcohol through teaching students about drink sizes, blood alcohol contents, and the use of protective behaviors such as alternating non-alcoholic drinks with alcoholic drinks, counting their drinks, etc.
Evidence Based Justifications for the 21 Year Old Drinking Age
Studies indicate that delaying the onset of drinking substantially reduces the risk of alcohol problems and dependence later on in life.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that through 2002, the increase in the minimum legal drinking age has saved 21,887 lives in the 50 states. NHTSA estimates that the current 21 year old drinking age will continue to save 1,000 lives each year. While alcohol was involved in 60 percent of U.S. vehicular fatalities in 1982, the rate in 2005 stood at 39 percent.
The 21 year old drinking age was established because of the science behind brain development. The frontal lobe of the brain, responsible for executive function or decision making capacity is still developing in an adolescent. It continues to develop into one's 20's and develops more slowly and often with complication when alcohol is introduced to the brain during this developmental process.
The drinking age in Missouri has always been 21.
If Missouri decreased the drinking age it would result in a 10% reduction in its annual federal highway appropriation from the federal government.
Liability Perspective
Beth DeRicco, PhD, the Associate Center Director of The Center for College Health and Safety and the Associate Center Director for The U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention wrote on an August 21, 2008 email to a national alcohol prevention listserve that;
“The NIAAA (National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) Report, the Institute of Medicine Report, ,the Surgeon General's Report, and research on brain development increase the likelihood that campuses will be held legally accountable for providing a safe and healthy environment for students. Additionally, the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Campus Regulations requires campuses to have a prevention program.
Regardless of the minimum legal drinking age, which happens to be one of the most well researched and effectively documented public policy initiatives, campuses have a legal and ethical responsibility to create a safe and healthy campus environment for students, since we know that dangerous drinking is more likely to occur in the campus environment than others, and campuses have a legal responsibility to prevent foreseeable harm”
Helpful Resources
Hot Topic- Higher Education Center on the MDLA
Response from MADD and Presidents who have chosen not to support the initiative
Report Finds Older Drinking Age Saves Lives
Higher Education Center Resources
Study Regarding MDLA to 1990 (NIAAA)
Research Findings on Underage Drinking and the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (NIAAA)
