I am writing to shed light on the harm-reduction programming of Stop @ Buzzed. I believe that campaigns for health awareness around alcohol abuse are often stigmatized as “anti-drinking campaigns.” Stop @ Buzzed is not anti-alcohol, but pro-education. Alcohol is a drug, and it is dangerous to use any drug without an understanding of how that drug works. Sometimes the culture around drinking on college campuses can be unsafe and lead to dangerous situations for students.

Alcohol can also be viewed as a positive substance. It can be a social lubricant, helping someone come out of their shell. It can be a fun way to spend a Saturday night.

Many of us, including myself, choose to drink on the weekends, going to house parties, bars, Kagin, etc. But when participating in this behavior it is rare to reflect on the harm you could be causing yourself or the community. That is why Stop @ Buzzed is helping spread information, and urging students to try to think of the impact they have on themselves, their peers and the community if they do choose to use alcohol.

If you have any questions, comments or problems with what I’ve written, feel free to contact me. I hope this is just the beginning of the conversation!