The recent problems some ISU men’s basketball players and former head coach Larry Eustachy have encountered involving alcohol and drugs is nothing new to college athletics. Nor is it unique among the overall student population, administrators said.

ISU Athletics Director Bruce Van De Velde said June 25 he would seek to bring in a substance abuse counselor to deal with these issues among the athletes, particularly after four members of the basketball team were cited in the past five months for drug and alcohol-related violations.

An official at a national center that works with colleges to prevent substance abuse among students said in an email message the prevailing attitude on campus needs to be addressed as part of a broader solution, along with substance abuse counseling.

“The campus environment is shaped by many things that relate to alcohol and other drug consumption,” said Helen Stubbs, communications director for the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention in Newton, Mass.

The center is funded mostly by the Department of Education.

“Once administrators and others … start to examine these issues, they can then identify problem areas and look to address them through research-based strategies and activities,” she said.

Sara Kellogg, program director for Iowa State’s substance abuse and violence prevention program, said her department sponsors “Iowa State After Dark,” a series of nine alcohol-free social events. She said the program also provides funds for student organizations that want to hold similar activities.

“It’s a program in which we provide up to $500 in mini-grants for alcohol-free activities,” she said.

Kellogg said her office is involved in educating athletic teams and has spoken to members of the athletics department regarding recent efforts to address their substance abuse problems.

“The athletic department has contacted our office and discussed some of the things that need to be done,” she said. “They are looking for both short and long-term solutions to provide a safer environment.”

The promotion and advertisement of alcohol on campus is another issue, Stubbs said. She said it can support the perception that drinking is a normal part of college life.

“Student newspapers, campus bulletin boards and kiosks are often plastered with ads offering low-priced drink specials at nearby establishments,” Stubbs said. “Some ads in college newspapers promote heavy drinking, offering deeply discounted drinks, using women to attract male drinkers, announcing price increases as the evening progresses or offering students all-they-can-drink for a single, low price.”

In March, the Ames City Council approved a ban on all-you-can-drink promotions.

Kim Smith, professor of journalism and communication, said he does not see a problem with student-oriented media, such as the Iowa State Daily, accepting advertisements from bars.

“I have no trouble with any kind of business advertising a product that’s legal,” he said. “The real issue is educating students to understand that alcohol in and of itself isn’t the problem. It’s how they use the product that is the issue.”

Smith said liquor advertising in general is contributing to students abusing alcohol.

“Alcohol advertising tends to associate alcohol with having a good time,” he said. “In fact, in many instances, too much alcohol contributes to a very bad time.”

In addition to Iowa State’s restrictions on alcohol sales and consumption on campus, liquor is not sold at university athletic events. Stubbs said such a ban can be effective, especially when combined with other efforts to limit alcohol consumption at sports venues.

“Reducing the availability of alcohol through a ban on alcohol sales is often supported by other measures, such as banning tailgating at events, instituting a no-readmittance policy to fans and stringently checking bags and containers that fans bring into games,” she said.

Stubbs added that faculty and staff members can unwittingly contribute to an environment that accepts alcohol abuse.

“Faculty who accept or make light of Friday class absences due to … students partying on Thursday nights and [faculty] who do not schedule tests or papers on Fridays or Mondays are tacitly supporting the overconsumption of alcohol by students,” she said.

“It is important that faculty and staff realize that what they say and do can send a message, either a healthy and responsible message, or one that promotes consumption and high-risk use by students.”

Stubbs said many colleges have worked to reduce alcohol abuse on campus by promotion of alcohol-free recreational opportunities. She said schools have extended the hours at student unions, gyms and cafes. Stubbs also said the off-campus availability of alcohol is another aspect of the issue that needs to be addressed.

“How many bars and liquor stores are in the area?” she said. “Are they stringently following the minimum legal drinking age?”

Smith said he thinks issues with athletes and the law reflect campuswide issues, not necessarily just internal problems with the program.

“I think it’s important to know that it’s not just athletes on campus who have trouble with substance abuse problems,” Smith said. “I think everyone needs to be more sensitive to their consumption of alcohol and their promotion of alcohol in their own lives and other people’s lives.”