The Responsible Drinking Campaign, entitled, “Sink your Drink, Sink your Studies” highlights the negative effects that alcohol can have on students’ health and studies.

“Students don’t tend to think of the longer-term effects that alcohol can have on their lives,” said John Roger, Students’ Union President.

“A night out ending in anti-social behaviour can lead to a student facing University disciplinary action or worse, with the potential to ruin their career. This isn’t normally something that’s thought about when heading out for a quiet drink with your friends. We’ve also seen a sharp rise in alcohol-related illness over the last decade or so, and the effects that alcohol can have on students’ health is of great concern to us.”

Steffan Rafferty, Vice-President, Clubs and Services, said: “We’re trying to get across the message that your degree is worth more than a good night out. Students do a lot of good work in the community through Clubs and Societies and this can often be eroded through the behaviour of a minority of students.”

Sarah McCaffrey, Deputy President of the Students’ Union, added: “We’re particularly concerned with the rise of binge drinking among female students. It’s surprising that it only takes 14 units of alcohol in one week for a girl to technically be binge drinking.”

The poster campaign will highlight how heavy drinking can affect students’ health and studies. Bottle-openers and beer mats will also promote the Responsible Drinking message. Student Officers in the Students’ Union will be speaking directly to student groups to encourage responsible drinking.

Source: By Queen's University Belfast