National Student Writing Competition
on Alcohol Abuse Issues

Megan E. Piernicky, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, is the first-ever winner of the National Student Writing Competition on Alcohol Abuse Issues, sponsored by The Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Issues. We hope this competition will become an annual event

Megan's entry was one of 165 submissions we received from 85 institutions, representing 34 states, for this first-ever competition - held this past October as part of activities associated with National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. Students submitting essays were asked to address the topic: "How would you define high risk drinking in your campus community and what approaches would you recommend to best address this issue?" The preliminary judging was coordinated by faculty at the College of Journalism at the University of Maryland-College Park. The top ten essays were then judged by a committee within the Inter-Association Task Force. With funding from the Anheuser-Busch Companies, the Task Force was able to award $2,000 for the winning entry, and four, $1,000, awards as second-tier prizes.

In addition to Ms. Piernacky, second prize winners were Titus M. DosRemedios from the University of Rhode Island, Peter D. Leman from the University of Idaho, Mary K. Cinadr from Hobart and William Smith College, and Thomas K. Krebs from Pomona College.

ONE VOICE: MY VOICE

It's probably safe to say that there are numerous definitions of what high-risk drinking is. According to the specific guidelines that I adhere to, high-risk drinking is defined as four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men per day.

As far as I'm concerned, that is a pretty sterile way of describing high-risk drinking. There are specific reasons as to why students pick up that extra bottle of beer or chug that mixed drink. Students drink to fit in; to be accepted. They drink because they think their peers are drinking. High-risk drinking is so much more than downing a specified number of drinks. It's about drinking dangerously large amounts of alcohol and causing detrimental damage to yourself and others. The damage that high-risk drinking incurs is more than physical. A student's self-confidence and self-esteem are slowly stripped away with each attempt to fit-in by using alcohol as the vehicle to popularity.

The largest problem we face is the misperception that exists concerning alcohol use and college students. I remember going on those infamous 'college visits' as a senior in high school and being paired up with a current student. At three out of the four schools I visited, my 'partner' (each a self-proclaimed social-light in their opinion) had planned a social activity for me to attend with her. I was exposed to a variety of experiences ranging from a fraternity party, a kegger and a house party. All three events had one thing in common: they each involved obsessive amounts of alcohol and herds of underage drinkers.

I was nervous to go to college. I thought that everyone drank and that I wouldn't be part of the 'in-crowd' if l didn't drink too. Little did I know at the time, there would be many people who felt the same way that I did. However, we had no idea how to portray our thoughts to the student body at large.

I would like to believe that students are good at heart but we just seem to have this innate tendency to make irrational, irresponsible and flat-out stupid decisions. But we're learning from our mistakes. Slowly. Our poor choices are allowing us the opportunity to learn about each other and warn the generation behind us of the side effects that excessive drinking can cause.

I have learned that the strongest aid that I can give to my fellow students is my voice. It is a tiring and thankless job but one whose rewards will come years down the road. I know that by saying time and time again, "the majority of students have four or fewer drinks when they party if they drink at all," will eventually register in their minds. By continually telling students that most of their peers are not getting trashed or partaking in high-risk drinking activities will someday sink in and they will start behaving in a manner that is more reflective of the actions of the majority.

The work that I am putting in now may not be evident in the next year .I realize that. After I graduate, my name may never be spoken on this campus again. But my voice will be heard. Even if only one person hears my message, I will have triumphed. I am a success because I have the courage to continue to educate others. It is because I am part of a larger group who is willing to forge a second road, alongside the stereotypical drunken collegiate path, that I know my message will last long after I have left the University. We are not numbers here, we are people and we have infinite potential and worth.

I may be only one person, but WE are the majority and I can make a difference.

Megan E. Piernicky
University of Nebraska - Lincoln