Thousands of college campus communities across the country set aside the third week in October for National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, a time to educate themselves on the dangers of alcohol.

This year, many are focusing on binge drinking, defined as consuming five or more drinks in a single sitting. Binge drinking is a widespread problem on most college campuses and interferes with the mission of higher education and also carries with it serious risks of disease, injury and death.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:

• About four in five of all college students drink, including nearly 60% of students age 18 to 20.
• Approximately two of every five college students have admitted to binge drinking at least once during the past two weeks.

Many students do not realize that excessive drinking can have devastating consequences. Ever year:

• 1,700 college students die from alcohol-related injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.
• 599,000 students are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol.
• 696,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.
• 97,000 students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
• 400,000 students have unprotected sex as a result of their drinking and more than 100,000 were too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex.

As many as 25% of college students also report that their academics have suffered as a result of alcohol consumption, including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall.

What can you do?

• Increase awareness. Organize an awareness campaign about the dangers. Consider creating posters, public service announcements and newspaper advertisements.
• Host alcohol-free activities like poetry slams and movie screenings. The fact is that students who are enjoying watching the latest Oscar-winner with their friends aren’t heading out to the weekend’s big keg party.
• Start a mentoring program where you pair incoming students with undergrads that are dedicated to responsible drinking.
• Be honest and responsible. Let your friends know when they’ve had too much to drink. Don’t buy someone several shots on his birthday. Don’t get a keg for your party.