This week marks the second year the psychology department’s College Alcohol Research Team (CART) will host Alcohol Awareness Week, a series of activities organized to raise awareness about responsible and safe alcohol consumption on campus
and elsewhere.

The research team and students will engage in several discussions regarding safe drinking practices along with LuckyDay Scholars and Greek Life. Drunk goggle experiments will be held for students Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Thad Cochran Center in front of the Fresh Food Company.  There will be a screening and feedback activity from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday at the
same location. 

 “Our hope is that students will become more aware of the harmful effects of drinking alcohol as well as more aware in general of how alcohol affects their bodies,” said Michael Madson, an associate professor of psychology.

 “Our goal is not to hammer home a message that you can’t drink or drinking is bad, but really to help students think about how to make decisions when drinking to minimize the risks, keep themselves safe and enjoy themselves if and when they choose to drink while reducing the negative consequences they may experience like physical, personal, academic and legal consequences,” he said. 

Members of CART hope students will come to the Alcohol Awareness Week events eager to learn and understand more about alcohol consumption. 

“While the activities are fun I hope students are open to the idea that perhaps they can make some alternate choices when drinking, and if they are willing to learn some strategies we have the knowledge and expertise to help them choose what they want to do differently.” Madson said.

The discussions and activities happening during this event are based on scientific findings and no scare tactics will be used to prevent alcohol consumption.  

“I will reiterate Dr. Madson’s comments that these activities are not about an attempt to stamp out drinking, but instead are an attempt to collaborate with students on how they can be safe if and when they decide to drink,” said CART Coordinator and graduate student in the Counseling Psychology Program, MaryAnne Messer. 

“I am hopeful that students will come willing to participate, enjoy and perhaps learn a little something about their drinking,” Messer said.

CART members realize that it is the students’ choice whether they want to drink or not, so the team simply offers information for students to become more aware of  the effects of alcohol on the human body.