AHFMR News

Calgary researcher launches new study to investigate binge drinking among university students

(Calgary, AB) Wednesday October 26, 2005... Binge drinking is the number one health hazard for North American college students. Rates of binge drinking among university students are higher than the general population. What's contributing to this problem and what is research showing about the risks to the health of students who binge drink? Heritage researcher, Dr. Shervin Vakili is embarking on a new study examining binge drinking among university students.

Binge drinking statistics at universities around North America show that around 45 per cent of students participate in this type of activity; however, some data suggest that over 60 per cent of post secondary students in Canadian institutions may engage in binge drinking. Intervention strategies aimed at reducing this type of behaviour have largely been ineffective. Heritage researcher Dr. Shervin Vakili has begun a project to investigate new techniques to curb this type of problem.

Heritage researcher Dr. Shervin Vakili is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, within the Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Calgary. Dr. Vakili's study receives funding from Alberta Health and Wellness' Health Research Fund which is administered by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR).

What:		Media opportunity to interview Dr. Shervin Vakili, Mr. Keith Uthe, Campus Security's Coordinator of the Alcohol & Drug Awareness Intervention Program, & Ms. Alyson Woloshyn, Coordinator of Student Life Programs
When:		Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Time:		10:00 AM to 12:00 noon *
Where:		The BACS Centre Health Sciences Centre - 3330 Hospital Dr. NW. Calgary

* Please call Dwayne Brunner, AHFMR Communications Coordinator, at (780) 966-1518 in order to arrange an interview.

Backgrounder

• Dr. Shervin Vakili's project is entitled utilizing social norming and personalized feedback strategies to reduce binge drinking and drinking related consequences on university campuses. Dr. Vakili's co- investigators in this study are: Dr. David Hodgins, Dr. Shawn Currie, Dr. Nady el-Guebaly, and Dr. Margaret Patterson all from the University of Calgary.

• Binge drinking can be loosely defined as consuming 5 or more drinks in a row for men and 4 or more in a row for women with the intent to become intoxicated. Binge drinkers may or may not have a chronic alcohol problem. People who binge drink cite the following as important reasons for drinking:

  • Drinking to get drunk (cited by 47% of students who consumed alcohol)
  • Status associated with drinking
  • Culture of alcohol consumption on campus
  • Peer pressure & academic stress

  Binge Drinking Statistics - Offences among 18-24 year olds by drinking status

  Percentages	Binge Other regular drinkers	Occasional drinker	Never drinks
  Any offence in the last 12 months	39	14	8
  Violent crime	17	4	2
  Taken part in a group fight in public place	15	3	2
  Theft	11	6	3
  Criminal damage	4	<1	1
  Base N	355	381	181

  Notes: Source; 1998/1999 Youth Lifestyles Survey

• Alberta Health and Wellness, provides funding for the research being conducted by Dr. Shervin Vakili. In 2005, the Health Research Fund awarded $2.2 million to 20 separate research projects ranging from cerebral palsy treatment options to chronic pain research at Universities throughout the Province.

• The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) currently provides funding for over 600 researchers and researchers in training at the Province's three main universities. The foundation supports a community of researchers who generate knowledge that improves the health and quality of life of Albertans and people throughout the world. AHFMR's commitment is to fund health research based on international standards of excellence and carried out by new and established investigators and researchers in training. Total AHFMR funding over 25 years is in excess of $800 million. For more information, visit www.ahfmr.ab.ca.