Risk environments are areas in which multiple factors interact to influence substance use and risky behaviors. A new qualitative study used risk environment theory to investigate the relationship among physical, social, and policy environments and use and regulation of alcohol on college campuses. The physical environment included residence halls and the surrounding spaces; the social environment included “party culture” and social norms about drinking. Data were collected through interviews with 56 security personnel or staff members at five Canadian universities, 246 hours of field observation, and examination of university documents (e.g., student codes of conduct). Themes that emerged from the interviews and observations indicate current university policies may not be the best approach to preventing harms. For example, university policies that prohibit drinking in residence halls may result in students engaging in heavy drinking off-campus, where they may be less likely to receive medical attention in the event of an alcohol-related emergency. Other insights included the identification of spaces within and near residence halls in which students congregated to engage in high-risk drinking, normalization of risky drinking practices, and negative academic or legal consequences for students who violate policies.
Take away: The authors argue current university approaches to regulating alcohol consumption may not be the best approach to preventing harms. Universities should consider adapting harm reduction policies that aim to make small changes in student alcohol consumption, rather than dramatic changes in heavy drinking patterns, and involve students in the formation of these policies.