A new survey of drinking habits among university students has found that they drink much less than anyone had believed.
“Most students grossly overestimate the quantity that other students drink,” said Dr. Wesley Perkins, the American professor who led the study.

“The survey found that 63 percent of students drink twice per month or less, but students believe that their peers drink typically drink once a week or more.

“It also found that 64 percent of students drink between one and four drinks at parties and bars, but they think that most people are drinking between five and seven.

“This misperception is a virus, and it’s contagious.”

The survey was conducted among 5000 students at 11 colleges and universities in 7 Canadian provinces. 429 Victoria College students were among the sample.

“We’re looking forward to getting this information out to students,” said Victoria’s Dean of Students Jason Hunter. “The beauty of this research is that it mirrors their own experience back to them. So when that research comes to fruition and we bring out a promotional message on campus, it’s a benefit to students.”

Perkins said in a press conference that when students believe that their peers are drinking heavily, they tend to drink more; if they have the real numbers, he believes, they will drink less, and drink less often.

“When students misperceive that their peers are drinking more than is the case,” said Perkins, “they are raising their risk of drinking excessively to keep up with perceived norms of how much their peers are drinking.”
Victoria College students were slightly below average in the quantity and frequency of their drinking, compared to the other schools surveyed. The college is running a promotional campaign this fall to play up these figures in the hopes of curbing Vic students’ drinking further.

“We’ve produced posters, postcards, pens, and fortune cookies,” said Hunter. The college has also produced plastic holders for student cards that feature drinking statistics on the outside.

“Ultimately,” said Perkins, “our goal is to eliminate unsafe drinking behaviour. If this promotion is successful, risky and unsafe drinking behaviour by the students outside these norms will decrease.”
The survey took place in October 2003 and was funded by a $1 million grant from the Brewers of Canada, a beer-industry lobby group.