Despite reduced alcohol violations from a year ago, University officials worry students continue to drink over the limit.
“Each person has his/her own reasons for consuming alcohol,” said Wellness Education coordinator Kathy Saichuk. “Alcohol is not a needed nutrient for the human body so ‘their limit’ becomes a question of health. Sadly, there are people who consume alcohol with one intention: to become intoxicated.”Alcohol violations have decreased on campus since last fall. According to Director of Judicial Affairs Eric Norman, 96 violations have occurred during this semester as of Oct. 27. One hundred and thirty-three occurred in the same time period the fall 2007 semester. To receive an alcohol violation, an underage student must consume, possess or serve alcoholic beverages in a campus building or any public campus area. Even though disciplinary actions may vary, the typical sanction for an alcohol violation includes disciplinary probation for one year, a  counseling session, five hours of community service, and if under 21, sending a letter to the student’s parents.”There are many different reasons why people consume too much,” Norman said. “Each one is unique to that individual.”In the same way speed limits and age limits are often ignored, some University students tend to avoid drinking limits.”There is no reason to take as many shots as I do, but I do anyway,” said Ann Smith, communication studies senior.Corbin Vaughn, business freshman, said his limit is “seven or eight beers.” Sociology sophomore Alex Price’s limit is “10-12 drinks” or “until she feels the need to stop.”Legally, an adult is over the limit when their Blood Alcohol Level is more than 0.08 percent. A minor is over the limit when their BAL is more than 0.02 percent. Depending on variables, consuming one to four drinks can cause a 0.08 percent BAL.”There is no safe level of alcohol if you are going to drive a vehicle,” Saichuk said. “Alcohol is a sedative that depresses our sight, sound, reaction time and coordination. It is like driving with blinders on.” An individual’s limit is different for each person. Many conditions determine how quickly alcohol affects the body. Gender, weight, rate of consumption and type of alcohol all influence BAL. Some elements are not always considered.”Medications, illness, hydration, stress levels and sleep are often underestimated,” Saichuk said. Although eating food before drinking slows the absorption of alcohol, eating after a long night of partying does not reduce the amount of alcohol in the body.Taking a cold shower also does not aid sobriety.”Once alcohol is in the bloodstream, time is the only thing that will reduce the effects of alcohol,” said LSU Police Department Captain Russell Rogé. “If you give your friend a shower, all you have is a cold, shivering drunk.”Effects of drinking over the limit are more prevalent in some than others. Some will slur their speech, lose balance and react slowly. More subtle signs can be more dangerous. “Changes in reason, judgment, cognition and mood occur when limits are surpassed. Drinking can cause us to engage in high-risk behavior that we would not usually engage in,” Saichuk said.While at a bar, Smith had a shot of Bacardi 151 and set it on fire using a match. She then “got a good fireball going and blew fire into some girl’s hair” — an action she regrets. Vaughn often sees the things he did when he was drunk the next morning on Facebook. “I tend to pass out in the most odd places: bathtubs, bathroom floors, friends’ dorm rooms or stairwells,” Vaughn admitted. To avoid being over the limit, Saichuk suggests “one drink per night for females, and no more than two drinks for males.”—-Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]