Students suffer from others' drinking

A survey of Otago University students found that 84 per cent have suffered the nasty second-hand effects of other people's drinking, from rape to cleaning up vomit.

The survey of 1566 students by the university's Injury Prevention Research Unit, found that a tenth of the women and a fifth of the men had been assaulted by a drunk at least once in the previous month.

Other severe second-hand effects included sexual assault, date rape and serious arguments. A fifth of the respondents had had their property damaged.

The survey found that second-hand effects of alcohol were more common than expected, with 84 per cent of respondents reporting one or more effects.

The most common were disrupted sleep or study, having to take care of a drunk, being insulted or humiliated and unwanted sexual advances. Others reported finding vomit in the halls or bathroom .

Women were slightly more likely to report an effect (85 per cent) then men (81 per cent).

The survey was part of an ongoing study into hazardous drinking by the unit, and is partly funded by the Alcohol Advisory Council (Alac). It invited 1910 students aged 16 to 24 to complete an internet-based questionnaire, and 82 per cent replied.

The results come as students again prepare to party during orientation week on campuses throughout the country.

Alac chief executive Mike MacAvoy said that although the survey was conducted at Otago, the results would probably be similar at any other campus.

"Universities often have a drinking culture of excessive consumption . It seems to be accepted that it's just what you do when you are a student."

He warned that the "unhealthy drinking culture" risked health and wellbeing through drink-driving, unprotected sex, loss of money, family problems, physical injury, violence and academic difficulties.

A national taskforce is meeting in Dunedin to look at ways to reduce alcohol-related harm among students.

Set up by Alac, the taskforce includes the Student Association, universities, halls of residences, student health centres, health groups and researchers.

- NZPA

Drinking hazards

How student drunkenness routinely affects others:

* Disrupted sleep or study.

* Having to take care of a drunk.

* Being insulted or humiliated.

* Unwanted sexual advances.

* Finding vomit in the bathroom.