Outside the Classroom is a Boston-based company that makes a software program called AlcoholEdu which is used to discourage dangerous drinking on college campuses. It recently bestowed its Prevention Excellence Award to seven colleges, including Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts.

"Bentley implemented a truly comprehensive program,' Erika Tower, director of Communications and Marketing for Outside the Classroom, said in an email. 'Not only did they implement AlcoholEdu as a required program for all first-year students, but they also created a new campus organization called SAFE: Students for Alcohol-Free Events; conducted educational training in residence halls, with member of Greek life, and with athletic teams; and changed their class schedule to reduce high-risk drinking on their campus (among other things)."

Other winners included the University of Alabama, University of Iowa, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Read more at DailyNewsTribune.com.

Labels: binge_drinking, college, high_risk_drinking

Of the more than 7 1/2 million people who attended college in 2005, 1.8 million met the medical criteria for substance abuse or dependence. The report was released by the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and says this number is about 2 1/2 times the national average.

"[The center's president, Joseph Califano Jr.] said nearly two-thirds of college student drinkers began drinking in high school, and 8% began in junior high."

Use of prescription drugs has skyrocketed among college students, as has marijuana use. Read more at Freep.com.

Labels: binge drinking, college, high school, students