“I see students alone, falling down drunk on the sidewalk outside my house. My heart goes out to them.”- Murray Hill Neighborhood Association President Kay Baldwin

When you are leaving the U.S. Cellular Arena after a Panthers victory for a few celebratory drinks, don’t forget to pick up a Breathalyzer on your way out.

The Student Association plans to bring alcohol consumption awareness to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee next semester. The plan includes handing out Breathalyzers at basketball games, bringing speakers to UWM for lectures and holding table events in the Union.

According to a study done by Carol Haetlein of the occupational therapy department and Carol Ott of the College of Nursing, UWM consumes more alcohol than the average college campus. In the survey, 8.6 percent of UWM students admitted to getting into trouble with police or other college authorities while intoxicated and 6.3 percent admitted to damaging property.

UWM students were also higher than the national average for students driving while under the influence, which was 35.8 percent, compared to 33 percent nationally.

Neighborhoods surrounding UWM have concerns about student safety. Murray Hill Neighborhood Association president Kay Baldwin has seen student behavior by her house.

“I see students alone falling down drunk on the sidewalk outside my house. My heart goes out to them,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin thinks Breathalyzers are a great way to help kids understand the chance of death from alcohol. She also believes the message about safety and health is important to get out to students.

The SA Senate approved the launch of the alcohol awareness program at its last meeting. The next step is to meet with deans of the UWM schools and colleges to help get more financial assistance, Lesky said.

SA Director of School Spirit and Activities Sarah Lesky brought up the legislation when SA Chief of Staff Alicia Bagley came up with the idea of Breathalyzers from the Army Reserves.

Bagley said her Army officer brought the Breathalyzers to her unit and she thought this action could be very beneficial to UWM students.

SA wants to purchase about 2,000 to 3,000 Breathalyzers that cost $1.50 each. Campus Police Chief Pamela Hodermann recommended the type of Breathalyzers SA has picked.

In addiction, SA members want to work with IMPACT 211, which is a helpline that has many programs. The drunk driving and alcohol abuse programs are what SA really wants to work with to bring in guest speakers, Lesky said. Lesky said her dad works for IMPACT 211.

“SA is realistic about the expectations,” Lesky said. “This is a college campus. We are not saying drinking is bad. We just want to make drinking safe.”

UWM police officers hope with this program, students will take responsibility for one another. With the program, trustworthy students can aid and accompany fellow students home.

SA members plan to meet with all of the deans at the beginning of next semester.

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