EAST LANSING, Mich. - A new survey conducted by Michigan State University and B.R.A.D. (Be Responsible About Drinking) shows that an initiative to educate students about the risks of alcohol poisoning is helping them celebrate their 21st birthdays safely and responsibly.
B.R.A.D. is a non-profit corporation based in Clarkston that was established by the family and friends of MSU student Bradley McCue, who died of acute alcohol poisoning following the celebration of his 21st birthday in 1998.
B.R.A.D. sends a birthday card to all MSU students approximately one week before their 21st birthdays. The card reminds them to celebrate safely and includes educational material (a wallet-sized card) on the symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Each birthday card is personally signed by John and Cindy McCue, Bradley's parents.
Since the project began in March 1999, cards have been sent to nearly 4,000 MSU students.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the card and accompanying educational material, an on-line survey was conducted by MSU's Olin Health Center and the MSU Department of Communication, with input from B.R.A.D. and technical assistance from the MSU Office of the Registrar and the MSU Computer Center. In February 2000, students who had received the mailing were asked to log on to the survey Web site and share their opinions about the card. More than 900 students responded.
Key findings of the survey:
- Most students (95 percent) appreciated receiving the card and almost all (93 percent) recommended that the project be continued.
- Half of those who received the card (50 percent) said they learned something new about alcohol poisoning from the mailing and more than half (57 percent) saved the wallet-sized card on alcohol poisoning.
- The vast majority of recipients (89 percent) discussed the card with friends and family and most heard other students mention receiving the card (75 percent).
- Nearly three-fourths of the recipients (73 percent) said they thought about the card's message while they were celebrating their birthdays.
- Nearly two-thirds of the recipients (65 percent) said they consumed alcohol in a more responsible manner at their birthday celebration as a result of receiving the card. Nearly one third (31 percent) reported drinking less alcohol than they would have otherwise.
- Slightly more than half of the recipients (54 percent) reported that they drank shots of liquor on their birthday, although many of those who drank shots reported consuming a smaller total amount of alcohol (55 percent) or indicated that they drank more responsibly (58 percent).
- Students who reported that they learned something new about alcohol poisoning and who said they thought about the card's message during their birthday celebrations were much more likely to have consumed less alcohol.
"This survey confirms our belief that the cards are an effective way to increase students' awareness and understanding of the dangers of alcohol poisoning," said John McCue. "We have received numerous thank-you notes from students and parents, and the positive survey results reinforce our impression that the cards work," said Cindy McCue. "If they prevent just one family from experiencing the pain that we have felt since Bradley's death, our efforts will have been worthwhile."
NOTE TO MEDIA:
- To obtain complete survey results, call Kristan Tetens at (517) 432-0921. For information on how the survey was conducted or interpreted, call Charles Atkin, professor and chairperson, MSU Department of Communication, at (517) 353-3259.
- Copies of the birthday card and alcohol poisoning wallet card are attached. For originals, call Kristan Tetens at (517) 432-0921.
- To contact MSU students who have received the birthday mailing, call Dennis Martell, Olin Health Center,