UW System surveys students on alcohol, drug use

The University of Wisconsin System will conduct a survey of undergraduates this month to better understand the impacts of alcohol and other drug use by students at UW campuses across the state.

The UW System Alcohol and Other Drug Use Survey will gather information via a web-based survey. Randomly selected students will be sent an email the last week of February asking them to complete an online survey. The survey is voluntary and answers will remain anonymous.

The survey is designed to examine trends in alcohol and drug use, student perceptions of use, and consequences of use. The results will help university leaders work with student representatives to determine what kinds of campus health programming and services are most beneficial.

At UW-Green Bay, Chancellor David Ward commented, “We encourage all students asked to participate in this survey to share their experiences, thoughts and observations about alcohol and drug use. This is an opportunity for students in Green Bay and across the state to help improve their local policies and programs.”

Students who elect to participate in the online survey will receive an instant analysis of the impacts of their own alcohol use, including an estimate of their average peak blood-alcohol concentration, and how their level of use compares to students nationally.

The survey is part of a systemwide Board of Regents directive to assess the levels of student alcohol and drug abuse, and the effectiveness of AODA programs.