Parents have enough to think about as they prepare for their son or daughter’s college education without having to worry about drinking or how to prepare him/her for what some think is a "collegiate rite of passage." This guide provides basic information about alcohol, drinking, and college. It includes simple suggestions intended to help prepare parents for the realities of alcohol and collegiate life.

1. Remember: Alcohol is a drug. Do not discount the dangers of drinking compared to the use of other drugs.

2. Explore your own attitudes, values, and beliefs about alcohol and drinking. We all learn what we are taught. Chances are your son or daughter first spoke in the language you speak at home. He or she probably practices "your" religion, has "your" political affiliation, and subscribes to and practices "your" cultural beliefs, rituals, etc.

Suggestion: Keep a log of your alcohol use. Note in the log when you drink, what is happening when you drink, how do you feel? What are your thoughts as you get ready to drink? Pick up the drink? after you have had the drink? Listen to and record how alcohol is discussed/referenced in the family. Note the number of alcohol products in the home, the "depth" of the liquor cabinet. Do you "stockpile" beer in the garage/basement? What messages do your actions send to your children? Has drinking become ritualized in any way -- "happy hour," with meals, to relax, to celebrate? How is alcohol used at these times and what is the implicit message contained in the ritual and way it is actualized? This is not to suggest any problem. Rather, to recognize the influence we have as parents on our children’s alcohol and other drugs attitudes, values, and beliefs.

3. Talk with other family members and adult friends about how they view alcohol and drinking. How do you/they model alcohol use and drinking? Remember, this is not about "do I have a problem," but rather about how do others see you modeling alcohol use.

Suggestion: When drinking is the topic of a TV program, movie, or news article ask those watching with you, "What do you think about that?"

4. "That was then; this is now." Realize that the drinking you did in college and your reasons for it are not the same as what is done in college today. Twenty years ago, 20% of males and 15% of females drank to get drunk. Today, 40% of males and 30% of females drink to become intoxicated. Drinking is not just a rite of passage that is harmless and tantamount to sowing one's wild oats.

Suggestion: List several reasons why you did or did not use alcohol in college. Share these with your family.

Suggestions: Call/email/visit the professional on campus who is responsible for AOD programming.

6. Do a quick search of recent information on alcohol, and collegiate life. Access the Internet or your local library (CD-ROM searches).

Suggestion: Ask the AOD Program Coordinator at the schools you and your child are interested in to provide a current reading list of alcohol and collegiate life articles/chapters/books.

7. Familiarize yourself with underage laws. Be sure you are aware of the laws governing underage alcohol use/drinking in BOTH your home state and the state in which your son or daughter will attend school. These laws can vary from one place to another. Once you are familiar with them, share this information with your son or daughter.

Suggestion: Contact your local state representative's office or the District Attorney's office in your county to find out about your home state. Contact the Dean of Student's office at those schools your son/daughter is thinking of attending.

1. Familiarize yourself with campus resources: Print materials are helpful, but talk with actual representatives who will be available to you, your son, or your daughter, e.g., the AOD Program Coordinator.

2. Explore school policy RE a parent's right to know. A student’s right to privacy is protected by the Buckley Amendment. This restricts a college or university’s right to inform parents about such things as academic performance and disciplinary proceedings. Colleges and universities can no longer act as surrogate parents to its students. With the student’s written consent, information can be provided to the parents.

3. If your child is involved in an alcohol violation, avoid the temptation to react to the violation. Instead, explore ways to act on the opportunity the violation presents to communicate. What has the student learned? What is being done as a result of the experience? What will be different in the future?

This information is presented to you by the Alcohol and Other Drug Program of La Salle University. For more information call Dr. Chapman at 215-951-1355 (email chapman@lasalle.edu or visit www.lasalle.edu/~chapman/homepage.htm on the World Wide Web).