Washington University participated in National Alcohol Screening Day, an initiative that provides outreach, education and screening to raise awareness about harmful drinking behaviors, April 6.

At Washington University, National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) is facilitated by the Peer Health Educator program, run by trained students. During NASD, facilitators administer the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, which consists of 10 questions used to place hazardous drinking levels on a scale. Typically, those who score an eight or higher will be referred to further evaluation or treatment.

Prior to matriculating to Washington University, first-year students are required to complete an online alcohol education program called “Think About It.” This program discusses topics such as standard drink sizes for various alcoholic beverages, calculating blood alcohol content levels, warning signs of alcohol poisoning and seeking help in an emergency. Senior and Residential Advisor Vish Reddy believes that alcohol education should include discussions on social factors, such as peer pressure and Greek life, that may influence students’ drinking behavior.

“In terms of alcohol education, I think that a good amount of work is done by the institution, especially realizing that students often do choose to drink,” Reddy said. “Residents, and especially first-years could really benefit from knowing when to make the decision to drink, and what factors are at play.”

The drug and alcohol policy, outlined on the University’s website, directs students to comply with national law regarding drugs and alcohol but also sets out guidelines for campus-specific situations, such as open events where alcohol is being served. Despite clear outlines on alcohol use, some students perceive a gap between the University’s official alcohol policy and its actual enforcement efforts.

“If I had to improve something, it would focus on the difference between the written policy and the enforcement—and how RAs are told to enforce the policy—because there is a certain cultural gap that I think residents realize over time. That’s mostly around policy enforcement being more lax than the policy,” Reddy said.

The policy also protects students who call the University’s Emergency Support Team (EST) when a fellow student is in a dangerous situation involving alcohol, a guideline that many students appreciate.

“I think that the policies in place make sense,” freshman Jack Wallack said. “This encourages students to get the help they need rather than fearing punishment. Wash. U. doesn’t try to deny that many students will engage in some of these activities, but rather the [administration] sets rules that will allow us to grow through experience.”

Although the safe reporting policy exists, not all students are completely clear on how it works, and some still worry about the consequences of contacting EST.

“I don’t think [the policy] needs to be changed, but I do wish that the student population was better educated about the reporting policy. Several accidents could be avoided and lives saved if people felt safe reporting to emergency services if they suspect any possible medical incident,” junior Tanvi Puri said.

Washington University’s policy is similar to those of its peer institutions. In fact, in 2011, the University joined an initiative of 32 colleges to counteract irresponsible undergraduate drinking called the National College Health Improvement Project (NCHIP). The project was started at Dartmouth College, and since then it has conducted multiple strategies designed to minimize dangerous drinking.

At the time of the University’s entry into the program, the average number of students engaging in high-risk drinking was at 38.5 percent, slightly lower than the national college average of 40 percent. As of now, the average has dropped slightly to 36 percent, according to the Habif Health and Wellness Center.

“Our binge-drinking rates are more or less identical to peer schools,” Dr. Alan Glass, assistant vice chancellor and director of the Habif Health and Wellness Center at Washington University told The Source.

Comparatively, 32 percent of Northwestern University students were classified as high-risk drinkers.

One example of an initiative highlighted by the NCHIP was during 2014’s WILD, when new rules were implemented in order to decrease risky drinking at the event. Students were banned from bringing in alcohol of their own, and the sale of beer to of-age students was restricted to a maximum of three beers. According to NCHIP’s annual report, this resulted in the lowest number of medical transports at the event in several years.

Although Washington University has decreased its rate of high-risk drinking, there is still progress to be made. In 2011, Glass hoped to have reduced the binge-drinking rate by 25 percent in three years—which has still not been achieved. With continued work with NCHIP and student alcohol education, the University hopes to keep making progress on the issue.