UBCO to study excessive drinking in college

KELOWNA – UBC Okanagan is getting a share of $400,000 from the government to better understand why some students drink too much alcohol.

The money goes to 11 post-secondary institutions in B.C. and comes from a project led by the Centre for Addictions Research and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

A media release from the Provincial government says a 2013 National College Health survey reported 39 per cent of students who drank alcohol said they later regretted something they did when drinking.

“Excessive use of alcohol can negatively affect a student’s post-secondary experience and lead to future challenges with addiction,” Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission says in the release. “Projects like this one at UBC Okanagan will help encourage moderation and other healthy choices that can last a lifetime.”

Project researchers will work with student leaders, students in residence and those in their first year to create a wider range of resources and strategies.

The Province also offers Alcohol Sense, a comprehensive suite of online resources to help parents educate and guide their children to make healthy decisions about alcohol through critical thinking and conversation.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.