As many Ohio State students make plans for spring break, indulging in alcohol is often included in them.

OSU releases the CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey report on student drinking activities each year, and it shows many OSU students understand how to drink responsibly. The results are based upon student survey responses and show that while 68 percent of OSU students believe the average student on campus consumes alcohol three times a week or more, just 28 percent of students actually use alcohol this frequently.

“There is a negative idea that all college students are crazy drunks, and it’s really not true,” said Shannon Schafer, a sophomore in marketing. “Most students drink without being ridiculous and some do not even drink at all.”

An article posted by the Christian Science Monitor seems to paint a bleaker picture about student drinking. It claims though it is illegal for students 18 to 20 years old to drink in any state, underage college students are among the nation’s heaviest drinkers.

College vacation hot spots, such as Panama Beach and Miami Beach, report this age group dominates the alcohol-related disturbances through the spring break period. Some students point to the lucrative advertisements — which focus more on drink specials and parties than sunny beaches — used to lure students to spring break destinations.

“We see everyone drinking in the advertisements, and that promotes the mentality that spring break is a drunken walk on a beach,” said Lindsey Johns, a sophomore in psychology.

Richard Yoast, director of the office of alcohol and other drug abuse at the American Medical Association, confirms the tendency of advertisements to promote student drinking.

“Drinking on spring break is not new, but now the beverages themselves and the drinking are the focus,” Yoast said.

Alcohol advertisements targeting college students are not just found in spring break advertisements. As students drive up High Street, they cannot help but notice a large “Liquid Fun” Miller advertisement, and promotions for various beer brands.

Although the university does not permit advertising promoting alcohol on its public spaces, property surrounding the university is commonly decorated with beer advertisements.

Some suggest it is this atmosphere that contributes to the increase in OSU students’ high-risk drinking statistics. High-risk drinking is defined as having had five or more drinks in a sitting in the past two weeks.

“High-risk, binge drinking rates have increased slightly over the past two years,” said Karen Donnelly, coordinator of alcohol and other drug abuse prevention at OSU.

OSU released several proclamations concerning the drug in its policy on alcohol. The university recognizes alcohol dependence as a disease and offers persons at risk of alcohol problems to assessment and treatment. Counseling and treatment centers are provided as well.

Students who feel they have a drinking problem are encouraged to contact the Student Wellness Center whch aids people in getting the help they need.

Several organizations on campus address drug and alcohol issues, including Campus and Community Alcohol Abuse Prevention Coalition, Off-Campus Safety Committee, OSU Wellness Collaborative, among various others.

“Students who think they may have a problem with alcohol or other drugs may seek help at either the Student Wellness Center or Counseling and Consultation services,” Donelly said. “The Student Wellness Center provides an initial assessment, personalized feedback, and referrals. Counseling and also provides assessment services, as well as short- and long-term individual and group counseling.”