Community Member

It takes more than just the involvement of college students to prevent the dangerous drinking that takes in college communities.  Local citizens and community groups must help activate the campus in their efforts to find solutions.  By working in partnership with students, campus faculty-staff and administration as well as law enforcement, you have the opportunity to create a safer, healthier community for all.  Consider the following suggestions:

Be An Active Partner

College and university students are an integral part of the community in which they live, work, and study.  It is unrealistic for residents, town officials, or other community leaders to expect campus administrators to solve this problem alone. A community problem requires a community solution. Because campus administrators are under intense pressure to reduce student alcohol problems, community leaders will find this an opportune time to reach out and offer to work in partnership.

Let Your Concerns Be Known

College administrators routinely react and change campus policies when confronted with concerns from the campus community. 

Enact Effective Community Policies

There are numerous policies that can be effective in creating positive change with regards to illegal and dangerous alcohol consumption.  Joining or establishing a campus-community partnership is one of the best avenues for implementing policy changes.  Research clearly shows the need to adopt effective policies and strategies that make it undesirable for people to continue engaging in illegal or dangerous behavior.

Support Law Enforcement

Their job is difficult enough without facing opposition from the community for their life-saving efforts.  Events that show appreciation and championing of enforcement efforts can only help emboldened officers in their daily work.  Strong, consistent enforcement of laws does help to reduce alcohol-related violations and officers routinely mention community support, or lack thereof, for ineffective enforcement outcomes.