Although the latest data shows binge drinking and drinking-related consequences are decreasing at UW-Madison, the university's Policy Alternatives and Community Education project is continuing its campaign to eliminate late-night drink specials at downtown bars.
\It seems like the general approaches are working because the trends are going in the right direction,"" PACE member Erin Brower said.
Yet, according to PACE Director Susan Crowley, although the recent data presented at the organization's Tuesday meeting show improvements in alcohol use at UW-Madison, there are still improvements to be made.
""I think while we're seeing some downward indications in the trends ... it's too early to say that it's a success and that we shouldn't continue to try to reduce the numbers further,"" she said. ""PACE has no intention of dropping our interest in elimination of late-night drink specials.""
The council has lifted all the drink special bans, but Crowley said PACE still considers them a ""viable option"" in curbing campus alcohol abuses.
PACE members also listened to testimony from the Madison Police Department and reviewed the events of this year's Halloween celebration which ended with pepper spray. Many project members are also on Madison's Halloween Planning Committee, and Crowley said she expects they will help the city prevent unruly crowds from creating disturbances next year.
PACE's grant expires in 2006, and members also discussed problem areas to pursue during its final two years.
""This might be a great opportunity to establish a master plan, a long-term plan, about alcohol policy issues that may not have been met,"" she said.
