Nov. 7, 1997 Contact John R. Crosiar (541) 346-3135 EUGENE--A public health educator familiar with a recent Harvard study of alcohol use by American college students is the keynote speaker in a two-day conference this month organized by the University of Oregon Substance Abuse Prevention Program. "Campus Binge Drinking and Drug Use" is set from 8 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15, in the Performance Hall at the Lane County Fairgrounds, 796 W. 13th Ave. "The timing of this conference, soon after the recent alcohol-fueled violent clash between police and young people partying in the West University neighborhood, is coincidental but certainly fortuitous," says Mike Mace, UO Substance Abuse Prevention Program administrator. "This is just one of the many educational programs we offer each term to help people on and off campus understand the realities and consequences of alcohol and other substance abuse." Dr. George Dowdall, associate dean at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia, Pa., will address the norms, perceptions and social issues surrounding college drinking choices. His presentations will provide students with current theory and research regarding high-risk binge drinking. A recent Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study of 17,000 college students on 140 campuses revealed that student perceptions of permissive drinking environments encourage students to drink more heavily. Moreover, these norms appear greatest for students whose own attitudes about drinking are already permissive. Of all students involved in the national study, 44 percent qualified as binge drinkers. Nearly one in five (19 percent) met the study's definition of "frequent binge drinkers." Alcohol contributes to nearly half of all motor vehicle fatalities--the leading cause of death among young Americans--and is associated with injuries, unsafe sex and the growing spread of AIDS among young adults. Two units of college credit are available to graduate and undergraduate students who attend all conference sessions and complete all assignments and final examinations or turn in final projects. Community professionals and others also are welcome. Certificates are available that serve as proof of attendance for application toward professional development hours or for re-certification purposes. Registration for the Nov. 14-15 conference is $80. Community members may enroll for $40 per day. Early registration is encouraged. To register and for information, call (541) 346-3397. -30- #P-2087/Local/eb