Proponents of the college alcohol policy initiative commented in focus

group discussion on what they saw as an attempt by the drinks industry to

counter this initiative, and it was suggested by student groups that this

could lead to even riskier drinking situations off campus.  While it cannot be

concluded definitively that this is a valid suggestion, it has a plausibility  that

at least warrants some thought and scrutiny.  If, as common sense and the

research literature tell us, student life is characterised by regular drinking

and frequent drinking to get drunk, then a harm reduction approach to this

phenomenon must consider whether safer drinking situations can be

created on campus, where student union, student society and college

security personnel are likely to be on hand, than would be the norm either

in commercial or in private settings.   

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