Alcohol charity Drinkaware has announced a partnership with the National Union of Students (NUS) to tackle alcohol misuse within universities and the student population. The tie-up is launched alongside new research* that indicates many 18-24 year olds think that it is socially unacceptable not to drink alcohol on a night out; and that one in five young adults (21%) believe pressure from their peers influences them to drink more.

Of the 5.8 million 18-24 year olds in the UK**, more than 1.3 million are students*** and the Drinkaware/NUS partnership is set to launch in time for the new wave of Freshers starting university in the Autumn.  By working together, the two organisations will develop training programmes for bar staff and students’ union officers and codes of conduct for Fresher’s week activities.  The multi-year partnership will also target and help universities struggling to combat excessive alcohol consumption.  A Development and Policy Officer for Students and Alcohol has been appointed to co-ordinate activity between the two organisations. NUS will also be partners in delivering the Drinkaware ‘Why Let Good Times Go Bad?’ campaign from September 2010 onwards. 

The research which surveyed 2000 young adults shows that 16% feel that asking for a glass of water in a pub or club is socially unacceptable. At the same time, almost a quarter (23%) of 18-24 year olds believe their friends will ridicule them for drinking a non-alcoholic drink on a night out.  

Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says: “When students are enjoying their time at University it can be easy to forget that what you’re doing today can affect the rest of your life.  Rightly or wrongly, students have a reputation for drinking to excess, but this is also part of our wider culture - we need to change people’s relationship with alcohol, not just among students, but in society as a whole.   

“Choosing to drink water on a night out shouldn’t be seen as unacceptable, but getting so drunk that you put yourself in harms way should be. By working with NUS we can help provide students and young adults with the facts about alcohol as well as tips and advice for how to stay safe if they’re drinking.”  

Ben Whittaker, NUS Vice-President (Welfare), adds:” The majority of students drink in a responsible manner but sadly some may feel pressure to drink excessive amounts of alcohol on a night out. It's important that we make clear to all young people that excessive alcohol consumption can damage their health and place them in a vulnerable position.   Students’ Unions have worked hard over the last ten years to ensure that bars on campus are operated responsibly.  This partnership with Drinkaware will help us to strengthen this work and try to eradicate the harmful culture that has developed which encourages a minority to drink to excess.”

*All figures unless otherwise stated are from from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2036 18-24 year olds in Great Britain. Fieldwork was undertaken between 31st July – 3rd August 2009.  The survey was carried out online.

**Figure taken from the Office of National Statistics, Population Estimates for UK: England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland 2008.  Exact figure: 5,848,700

*** Figure taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record 2008/09.  Exact figure: 1,351,805.