Alcohol Abuse & Drinking Issues on the UW-Madison Campus
The Scope of the Problem
The UW-Madison has experienced problems with underage and binge drinking. Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug on the UW Campus. The vast majority of disturbance calls (verbal and physical assaults and general disturbances) and property crimes are found to be alcohol related. Some costs associated with drinking can include poor academic performance as well as hospitalization or detoxification center stays, fines and court ordered payments to replace or repair damaged property. The long term costs of alcohol abuse may include chronic physical and/or mental health problems.
University Efforts to Address Alcohol Issues
The UW-Madison has received grants to help address alcohol issues and unsafe drinking behavior in the university community. The Dean of Students Office, Residence Life and University Health Service are among the groups in the community which have joined together in an effort to combat the negative effects of alcohol abuse and unsafe drinking. The UW strives to provide alternatives to drinking with sponsored activities.
Liquor Law Enforcement
During the past 3 years the UW Police have issued more than 2400 liquor law violation citations. These citations were for underage drinking or possession of alcohol, underage procuring or attempting to procure alcohol beverages, false ID violations and furnishing alcoholic beverages to underage persons. In addition, persons found to be incapacitated by alcohol (unable to care for themselves due to excessive consumption) are taken to the Dane County Detoxification Center by the UW Police. There they are placed in protective custody until the effects of alcohol have diminished.
We have also been active in enforcement of Wisconsin's Drunk Driving laws averaging over 100 drunk-driving arrests each year. Drunk driving is responsible for approximately 40% of traffic deaths in Wisconsin.
Explanations of Laws and Penalties
Underage Consumption or Possession:
It is illegal
for anyone under the age of 21 to possess or consume any alcoholic
beverage (liquor, fermented malt beverage, etc.).
Penalties:
Judges can
assess fines up to $1,000 and/or driver's license suspension or
assignment to a work program, dependent on the number of prior offenses and
age of the violator.
Procuring or Attempting to Procure Alcohol:
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to procure or attempt to procure any alcohol beverage. This can include ordering a drink at a bar or attempting to purchase beer at a liquor store or convenience store or any other location that sells alcoholic beverages.
Penalties:
Judges can
assess fines between $250 and $1,000 and/or driver's license
suspension or assignment to a work program.
Possession of False Identification
Possession of false identification or identification which represents the bearer to be of legal drinking age is illegal. Use of the ID is also illegal, but mere possession is a violation.
Penalties:
Judges can
assess fines between $100 and $1,250 and/or driver's license
suspension or assignment to a work program.
Procuring for Underage person
Supplying alcoholic beverages to an underage person.
Penalties:
Judges can assess fines between $100 and $10,000 or up to 9 months in jail.
Operating While Under the Influence (Drunk Driving)
This includes operating under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants or other drugs or narcotics.
Note: It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with any trace of alcohol in your system if you are under the age of 21 (otherwise known as the Absolute Sobriety or "Not a Drop" Law).
Penalties:
Drunk Driving, 1st Offense:
Fined up to $2000.00. As well as an administrative suspension may be assessed at the time of arrest and your license confiscated (even out-of-state licenses). Judges can assess a six to nine month license suspension. A refusal to submit to a chemical test will result in a license revocation.
Absolute Sobriety:
No person under the age of 21 may operate a motor vehicle with any trace of alcohol in their system.
Penalties:
Mandatory 90 day license suspension and a fine up to $150.00.
