Survey underscores how easy it is for underage to drink

MARYVILLE, MO — For the local Substance Abuse Taskforce (SATF), made up of various campus and community healthcare leaders and facilitated by Northwest University Wellness Services Health Educator Jennifer Kennymore, the recent discussion of changing the bar admittance age is another step of many in solving the community’s alcohol-related issues. SATF’s priorities are varied: broaden coalition membership, bystander intervention, safer sexual health, impaired driving, students engaging in high-risk drinking, improve services for students at high-risk and students engaging in tobacco and other drug use. According to a study conducted by SATF, over half of Northwest students who took the survey said that it is easy for underage individuals to obtain alcohol at off-campus parties and clubs with little risk of getting caught. Another concern for Kennymore is that students, of age to drink or not, are uneducated in what is considered high-risk drinking, which is four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men.