Campus Observes National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week

As part of National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW), October 21–25, SUNY Buffalo State is spreading the word about the dangers of binge drinking, drunken driving, and overconsumption with a number of on-campus events. The United Students Government, Weigel Health Center Promotions, and Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority are coordinating the initiative.

The week kicks off Tuesday, October 22, with a “chalking contest,” from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in which any student can work alone or with a team to draw pictures reflecting the theme “Do Your Part,” to prevent drinking and driving. Participants can obtain chalk and instructions inside the Campbell Student Union where students will be manning information tables.

This marks the third year for Buffalo State to participate in NCAAW. All events are free.

“Last year, we received a lot of positive feedback from students, whether they were just soaking up the information or participating in the activities,” said Paula Madrigal, the college’s coordinator of health education programs “The victim stories always have a huge influence on them.”

This year, students have the opportunity to hear from Elizabeth Obad, president of the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Obad lost her son, a 26-year-old Marine, to a drunken driver in 1994. Obad will share her story on Thursday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center South.

Other events include a panel discussion with a local lawyer, a representative from Prevention Focus, and a University Police officer who will talk about what happens when a student consumes too much alcohol, Wednesday, October 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall 2. And students can experience how dangerous impaired or distracted driving is by trying a drunken driving simulator, Thursday, October 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Student Union Quad.

“Whether students are participating in Alcohol Awareness Week for the first or third time, I hope that they not only walk away with the general message we are trying to impart, but also with something they can share with others, something they heard or saw that affected them personally,” Madrigal said.