Doctors find alcohol program lacking

As the scientists who participated in the "So You Wanna Get Buzzed" drug and alcohol orientation, we would like to respond to the recent editorial expressing great relief that freshmen would not have to listen to this talk.

We find it regrettable that the most important thought you could express to incoming freshmen and their parents was your relief that you could do less alcohol orientation, but you might be surprised that we agree with you about some things.

We have always maintained that the best drug and alcohol education occurs in small groups facilitated by an informed person, preferably including a peer. We have been advocating to the Duke administration since 1998, before Raheem Bath died of an alcohol-related illness, that freshman orientation include such a program.

We felt so strongly about it that we voluntarily conducted presentations in freshman dorms that requested such a program, and conducted training for dorm RAs (which might have something to do with their greater ability to handle alcohol-related infractions as reported in the same Chronicle).

The administration responded with the proposal that we conduct an orientation for the entire freshman class that was mandatory (a requirement winked at by the administration last year, as is evidenced by the fact that at best half the students attended).

We also agree with you about the timing -- before things really get rolling on campus. We actually advocate sending information out to incoming freshmen before they arrive on campus. However, we part company with your enthusiasm for voluntary, web-based education. Conveying this information to incoming freshmen is just too important to leave to chance.

During the first semester, college freshmen are going through the period of their lives when they are most likely to severely injure themselves or die from alcohol-related injuries. We have found that the vast majority of adults don't even know how one dies from alcohol.

Therefore, we urge you to consider an effective, small group based program involving educated peers or other trainers. We also renew our offer to help in any way possible.