Abstract

While there is considerable evidence about the prevalence of student alcohol use little empirical work has examined the range and level of exposure to alcohol-related risks facing student populations and the views of key stakeholders about these. This study was conducted at a large multi-campus university in order to gauge the scale and severity of students’ alcohol-related problems and ways in which these may be mitigated. Student perspectives on campus based policy making with respect to alcohol were also canvassed. This study utilised a range of evaluative instruments including standardised questionnaire protocols structured interviews and focus groups. Data gained from students showed a large level of exposure to alcohol-related harm and staff informants reported student harms such as drink-driving interpersonal aggression social nuisance inadequate security sexually risky behaviour and physical malaise. As a group students seem receptive to campus-based policies that have a harm reduction focus but are less supportive of institutionalised measures aimed at the student body. Given the divergence of views about the harms arising from student drinking and a general repudiation of institutional policy measures which may lessen these the development of harm-reducing policy on alcohol remains challenging.