NU Alcohol Awareness Program helps curb campus alcohol violations, teach students

By Candace Bushey
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Violation of the Alcohol Policy (VAP) is a problem which continues to plague Norwich's dry campus.

For this reason the Norwich Alcohol Awareness Program (NAAP) has been implemented.

Established in order to educate students about alcohol and its consequences if abused, the eight-hour class is broken into four two-hour meetings during a month and is required for those students who receive a VAP.

"NAAP is not designed to be punitive," said Chip Keinath, Coordinator of the Alcohol Program. "It is designed to educate people about alcohol, what it does and what it's about."

According to Martha Mathis, Dean of Students, approximately 60 violations have occurred on campus so far this year.

"We have to show you the consequences of not outgrowing certain behavior," Mathis said.

Beth, a student who requested anonymity and was involved in the program, said that the program was informative and served a worthwhile purpose.

"It was a hassle to go every week, but I'm definitely more careful about where, when and how I drink," Beth said.

The program is designed to educate students about where they're going to see the effects of drinking in their lives. A light, interesting, informative, and enjoyable class is what Keinath would like to see.

"A place where people can participate and vent or whatever," Keinath said, "rather than 'sit down, shut up, pay attention and learn this stuff'."

"You can't stop people from drinking," said Andrew Marineau, 19, a freshman history major from Montpelier, Vt. and NAAP volunteer, emphasizing that control is the issue. "People are going to drink if they want to drink."

"This is not a 'Just Say NO' program," Keinath said. "We're not preaching abstinence. I just hope they walk away with an understanding."

Thirty-five to 40 students have taken the class so far. Those who have taken it learned about the effects of alcohol.

"You basically learn about what your blood alcohol content is and how high it can get before certain things go, like motor functions," Beth said. "It was a lot of statistics."

"It's a good program," said Marineau, "but to sit here and get lectured about alcohol, it's just something I wouldn't want to do."

If some students do have a serious problem with alcohol, then the class "opened their eyes to what could happen and obviously what did happen," Beth said.

"It's a worthwhile program for people that might have a problem," Marineau said, "They need to learn what it does to you and how it effects other people that are close to you."

Everyone is invited to attend NAAP.

"Students can come here for any reason," Keinath said, "several students have come and wanted to pick up some information on their own, and a number of them volunteer."

Although Keinath is the head coordinator for the program, students primarily run NAAP.

"This is all student-driven, student-organized," Keinath said. "NAAP is the noise maker right now."

"Those kids that have a major issue with alcohol need to get out of denial and use this very calm place to work on that," Mathis said, "where the consequences are not as severe."

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