'River Of Booze' Paints Troubling Picture Of College Life

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - In an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education titled A River of Booze, Karen Fischer and Eric Hoover describe the college drinking scene using The University of Georgia in Athens as an example of any college town.

Kids celebrate touchdowns, consume early morning cheeseburgers, flavored vodka and get hammered at night. All this is described through long interviews with the Police Chief who has to deal with under-age drinkers, descriptions of a crafty sophomore who made a big business of making fake ID cards, and a bar owner who disapproves of it, but makes money from students.

Liz Prince, who heads an Alcohol Awareness and Education Center employs counselors who specialize in drug and alcohol abuse, sexual assault and other violence, started a Collegiate Recovery Community for those with addictions. Students attend weekly support groups and sessions on time management and mediation.

Phi Slam organizes activities like "The most fun you can have sober." Mostly a troubling eye-opener.