Harvard Study Confirms that Most College Students Drink Moderately

Findings from the 4 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study Surveys (1993, 1997, 1999, and 2001) confirm that most students drink moderately, if at all. The studies, conducted by Henry Weschler, PhD, consistently reveal that about 3 out of 5 students are moderate drinkers or abstainers, and that serious consequences as a result of alcohol consumption are uncommon.

Harvard School of Public Health Data 1993-2001: A Social Norms Perspective
Moderation is Common* 1993
n = 15,282		 1997
n = 14,428		 1999
n = 13,954		 2001
n = 10,904
Drinkers
(Percentage of students who drank alcohol in the last year.)		 83.6 80.3 79.8 80.7
Students who drank moderately, if at all
(In the last two weeks, 0-3 for women, 0-4 for men.)		 56.1 56.8 55.5 55.6
Serious Consequences as a Result
of Alcohol use are Rare**
Were not hurt or injured 92.3 90.4 90.4 90.0
Did not damage property 92.3 90.2 91.6 91.4
Did not get into trouble with campus or local police 96.2 94.9 95.5 94.8
Did not require medical treatment for an overdose 99.6 99.6 99.4 99.4
Did not drive after drinking 77.9 76.5 71.2 71.1
Source: "Trends in College Binge Drinking During a Period of Increased Prevention Efforts: Findings from 4 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study Surveys: 1993-2001," by Henry Weschler, PhD, et. al. Journal of American College Health, Vol. 50, No. 5, pp 203-217.
*Figures derived from Table 2 ("College Student Patterns of Alcohol Use: 1993, 1997, 1999, and 2001") in the above-referenced article.
**Figures derived from Table 6 ("Alcohol-Related Problems Among Students Who Drank Alcohol") in the above-referenced article. Note: Whereas the Harvard analysis in Table 6 is "limited to only those students who drank alcohol in the past year," the figures here represent all college students in the study.


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