MRU to use social marketing to discourage binge drinking
CBC News
Posted: Aug 31, 2012 5:02 PM MT
Last Updated: Aug 31, 2012 5:32 PM MT
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Mount Royal University officials say they have no plans to follow the lead of a Nova Scotia university in banning alcohol from dorm rooms during welcome week.
Kandi McElary, manager of wellness services at Mount Royal University, said they are instead using what they call "social norm marketing" to inform students about safe-drinking levels and lessen peer pressure.
"Helping educate and inform students that not everyone is partying because that's the talk that they hear,” McElary said. “Students never talk about the other behaviours that they're doing."
Acadia University in Nova Scotia announced Thursday that drinking will not be tolerated in dorm rooms during its welcome week.
The school implemented the policy after a 19-year-old Acadia University student, originally from Calgary, died last year after consuming a large amount of alcohol.
The chief public health officer for Nova Scotia, Dr. Robert Strang, released a report on alcohol harm following a request from the school.
Strang said in his report there's a culture in campus where alcohol is a necessity for having fun.
Some Mount Royal students told CBC News said that drinking is part of the university nightlife, and sometimes, students have too much.
“There's always some kids that get too drunk, but we just send them home or give a blanket and a pillow and we just keep drinking,” said one student.
Binge drinking is classified as five or more drinks on a single occasion. On average, about 30 per cent of Canadian university students are binge drinkers.
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