A newspaper headline of “170 arrests, citations given over an event weekend” should be a cause of alarm to any community.

But what if it is a norm within the community? What if it is an expectation that alcohol is going to be abused, that young adults would be charged for breaking the law, and that students would have to be taken to the hospital for medical assistance due to acute alcohol poisoning? What if parents’ last words to young adults would be, “Don’t forget your riot gear,” or, “Just don’t get arrested?”

The message sent and felt in the community is that it is acceptable for young adults to drink to excess, that it is accepted that there will be over 150 combined arrests and citations directly related to alcohol use, and that community members accept a standardized perception of alcohol tied to our city.

I commend the Iowa State Daily Editorial Board for both the series on alcohol abuse within student life, and the editorial on April 13 exploring the “luck” associated with binge drinking without consequence during collegiate years.

It is time to have a dialogue about alcohol abuse within student life. This dialogue needs to include active representation from ISU administration, the Ames community, ISU students, Ames youth and local civic leaders. An open, inclusive dialogue is only the second step needed to change the current drinking environment. The first step is a commitment at all levels of the community that we want change.

Are we as a community ready to set standards and expectations, not only of ourselves but those that come and celebrate with us?

Erin Kennedy

Resident

Ames