75 out of 85 participants in a MatieMedia study at Stellenbosch University (SU) agree that the university’s name is strongly affiliated with a culture of binge drinking. With “Ocsober” almost in our rear-view mirror, MatieMedia has undertaken to explore the use of alcohol among students, as well as some of the accompanying risks.
An independent survey conducted by MatieMedia shows that SU students do not generally participate in “Ocsober”, a campaign that encourages people to abstain from alcohol for one month in order to raise awareness about its abuse. PHOTO: SurveyMonkey/ Kyra Tarr
Nestled in the heart of the winelands, SU boasts idyllic scenery second to none. Its reputation for beauty is only rivalled by its reputation for being a party town, where many students indulge in relatively frequent binge drinking episodes.
65 out of 85 students that partook in an independent survey revealed that they drink weekly. Of those 65, 50 said they often drank until “thoroughly inebriated”, resulting in symptoms of memory-loss and nausea.
Most students that participated in the survey drink weekly, some monthly, even less daily, but not one student claimed full abstainance from alcohol. PHOTO: SurveyMonkey/ Kyra Tarr
Director of the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD), Doctor Munita Dunn-Coetzee, says that many who enter the university’s treatment programme for alcohol addiction began as binge drinkers.
“Most of the time the relationship between binge drinking and alcohol addiction is not understood well. The majority of binge drinkers are not physically dependent on alcohol, but binge drinking is considered a risk factor in developing an alcohol addiction,” she said.
The above extract stems from the university’s official policy towards alcohol use on campus. PHOTO: Screenshot
A nursing sister working at a rehabilitation facility in the Western Cape, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes that the legal drinking age of 18 is too young.
“There is still significant neurological development at that age. Alcohol stunts that,” she said.
“Binge drinking is rampant among students. We get some students that cannot control their alcohol use, and it’s sad to witness. Inevitably, you make decisions with serious repercussions. Your behaviour is not something you can fully control when you’re inebriated.”
Most students believe that SU has a “drinking culture” and that students participate in excessive alcohol consumption. PHOTO: SurveyMonkey/ Kyra Tarr
In 2001 Jan-Hendrik Meyer completed his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with a thesis titled Alcohol Use of Students at the University of Stellenbosch. In it he concludes that there are certain profiles of students more likely to abuse alcohol than others. The profiling categories include gender, residence, language, other substance abuse, sport participation, religion, moral values and sexual activity.
In simplified terms, his results were as follows:
- Males drink more frequently and heavily than their female counterparts
- SU students drink similar quantities to students at other universities
- Undergraduate students are much more likely to consume high levels of alcohol
- Students that reside off-campus generally drink less
- English-speaking female students drink more, on average, than Afrikaans-speaking female students
- Heavier drinkers are more likely to be sexually active
- Sports(wo)men tend to drink less
WATCH: A short clip detailing alcohol use at SU
Interestingly, these results are loosely mirrored by those of the independent survey.
Law student and survey participant Sean Clarke (24) believes drinking culture is spurred on by Stellenbosch’s relatively low alcohol prices.
“Binge drinking is a reality in Stellenbosch. It may be considered the culture or norm, but it is a problem. Bars have realised that they must cater for student needs and have lessened prices to such an extent that drinking is encouraged and viewed as completely acceptable. It’s a vicious cycle, really.”
