Crime Around the ASU Campus Community: Alcohol Reinforcement - Admission/Application Essay Example

Security in Our Community Security and Theft around the ASU (Arizona Campus The Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics of theArizona State University (ASU) police show that there is a rise in liquor and drug arrests. In 2010, liquor and drug arrests in the Tempe campus rose; this is according to the report released by the ASU Police Department. In the year 2009/2010, Tempe campus had decreased incidents of burglary, aggravated assault, and motor vehicle robbery and theft. The report covers the following academic years from 2008 to 2010. However, during the academic year 2009/2010, Tempe experienced increased incidents of liquor law arrests, drug law arrests, larceny, arson, sex offenses, and theft. The ASU Police Department is focusing on alcohol reinforcement as a measure to reverse the trend. According to the report, the biggest crime that is raising security concerns in the campus is alcohol-associated offenses. The reason behind this trend is that almost all offenses on the campus both in the nation and at ASU are alcohol related. Sexual assaults and fighting are also alcohol-associated. In Tempe campus (this campus has the biggest number of crimes), drug law arrests increased by 32.1%, an increase from 162 arrests in 2009 to approximately 214 arrests in 2010. There was an increase by 20.5% in the liquor law arrests; in 2009, the arrests were 459 and in 2010, there were 553 arrests (Raymundo 1). However, there was a decrease in drug law and liquor law arrests in the Polytechnic, West, and Downtown campuses. The Polytechnic campus witnessed a decrease in the number of liquor law arrests (in 2009, there were 40 arrests and in 2010, there were 19 arrests). Drug law arrests also decreased, eight arrests were made in 2009 and in 2010, 4 arrests were made. The West campus saw a considerable decrease in the liquor law arrests, 17 arrests in 2008, 7 in 2009, and 3 arrests in 2010. The press release indicated, “violent crime rate at ASU was .38 per thousand students and the property crime rate was 17.78 per thousand students” (Raymundo 1). However, the 2010 data may not be statistically correct on the basis of the student population; this is because the report data is for student enrollment in 2009 (Raymundo 1). From these statistics, it is evident that crime rates around ASU campus is on the rise. This raises security concerns among the community living around ASU campus. A striking feature among all these crimes is that most of them are alcohol related. Alcohol abuse and drug abuse seems to be the major causing factors of crime in ASU. As stated before, the ASU Police Department is focusing on alcohol reinforcement as a measure to control crime around the ASU campus community. Among the ASU campuses, Tempe campus seems to be affected most by crime and insecurity. Crimes that are common in these campuses include sexual assaults, fighting, liquor law arrests, drug law arrests, larceny, arson, sex offenses, and theft; as stated before, all these crimes are alcohol-related. Proposed Solutions In order to reduce all these crimes, measures need to be taken to reduce alcohol and substance abuse. This is because, the report (Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics) indicate that most of these crimes are linked with alcohol and substance abuse. Arizona State University has a policy on substance abuse. The policy states that it is the aim of the university to offer a drug-free environment for all university employees and students. In order to achieve this aim, the university has banned all unlawful use, production, distribution, manufacture, and possession of alcohol, drugs, and controlled substances (Pickens 17). The university offers factual and honest information through structured programs in an attempt to help individuals to make right decisions in regard to the utilization of alcohol and other drugs. Information concerning the health risks linked alcohol and other drugs use, drug education, drug awareness programs, and drug education assessment programs “are available to employees and students through the Student Health and Wellness Center, the Employee Assistance Program, Counseling and Consultation, and the Arizona Prevention Resource Center” (Pickens 18). Let’s Talk About It is a program that the university has adopted in its attempt to reduce alcohol and other drugs abuse. It is an interactive game/simulation, which explores and discusses drinking associated behaviors and opinions among the college students. ASU 101 is an educational/diversion program that is offered in an online format to the students who have violated the student’s Code of Conduct; the ASU Student Rights and Responsibilities determines the students eligible for this program. In collaboration with the Residence Life Staff, the ASU Police presents yearly alcohol and drug awareness training for those students living on campus. Violation of the law concerning alcohol and other drug abuse is punishable by the civil and the criminal authorities and the individual may face administrative or disciplinary sanctions given by the university (Pickens 18). Despite the fact that these laws, policies, and programs exist within the university, their effect on the students in regard to alcohol and other drugs abuse is not effective. Incidents of alcohol and other drugs abuse is on the increase. The following are some of the proposed strategies that can help in the reduction of alcohol and other drugs abuse in Arizona State University. The first strategy is the combination of cognitive-behavioral skills with motivational promoting and norms clarification interventions. Cognitive-behavioral skills training attempts to change the person’s dysfunctional thinking and belief about alcohol use through activities such as documentation of daily alcohol consumption, learning to control stress, and alteration of the expectancies concerning alcohol effects. Values or norms clarification evaluates the student’s opinions about the suitability of abusive drinking behavior within the campus. It also utilizes data to disprove beliefs concerning the tolerance for this form of behavior and the beliefs regarding the amount of alcohol consumed and number of students who drink it excessively. Motivational enhancement as the name implies, is a form of program developed to stimulate the student’s motivation or intrinsic desire to change. The strategy is based on the notion that the individual is responsible for changing his or her drinking behavior and conforming to that decision (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 1). Other proposed strategies include: 1. Providing short motivational improvement interventions – this strategy can minimize negative consequences such as driving after drinking, excessive drinking, and citation for violation of traffic rules. 2. Challenging alcohol expectancies – the strategy alters the student’s expectations that alcohol improves sexual attractiveness and sociability. 3. Increased enforcement of laws for minimum drinking age. 4. Restrictions on the alcohol retail outlet capacity. 5. Increase in prices and excise taxes on the alcoholic beverages. 6. Adoption of campus-based practices and policies that seem to be capable of minimizing high-risk alcohol utilization – for instance, the reinstatement of Friday exams and classes to minimize Thursday night partying. Saturday morning classes can also be scheduled. 7. Regulation or control of happy hours and sales (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 1). The university and the community can minimize alcohol and substance use within and around the campus through the adoption of the above-mentioned strategies. Since most of the crimes are associated with alcohol and substance abuse, controlling alcohol abuse among the students can assist in the reduction of these crimes. An individual who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs usually has impaired thinking and he or she can engage in behaviors that are considered unethical within the community. Thus, there is importance of managing alcohol and drugs abuse in attempt to minimize crime rates within and around the ASU campus. Works Cited National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 4 Tiers. College Drinking – Changing the Culture, 7 Nov. 2007. Web. 10 Dec. 2011. Pickens, John, L. Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Report. Arizona State University Police Department, 7 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Dec. 2011. Raymundo, Shawn. “ASU Police Report Increase in Tempe Liquor, Drug Arrests.” statepress.com 3 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Dec. 2011. Read More