Students Seek Safety and Support Amid Alcohol Concerns
As alcohol use remains a common part of campus social life, Fresno State students are turning to university resources to stay safe and informed about substance use.
Students studying for finals as the semester closes
Chloe, a third-year student living in the dorms, said drinking is present “everywhere you go,” making it important for students to understand their limits.
“You kind of have to be mindful of how much you can drink and how much you can’t… and what you need to be doing to be safe about it,” she said.
Chloe said some students facing deeper struggles may need professional support, and she believes the Student Health and Counseling Center is an important resource.
“There are definitely people who… should get the help needed,” she said. “The Student Health Center is a really good place to do that because they have free services… whether it’s mentally… or physical health.”
Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention and Recovery Specialist Miranda Rogers emphasized the risks students face. Rogers said national data shows alcohol misuse remains deadly.
“According to the NCAA, 1,500 college students between 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related injuries with motor vehicles,” she said.
Students interviewed said part of staying safe involves knowing when to leave situations that no longer feel right.
“Knowing when to leave is a big deal,” Chloe said. “My fun was done. I did what I said I was going to do, and now I can go home.”
She encouraged her peers to set boundaries and choose supportive friends.
“It’s okay to say no and find new people… Don’t trust the ones who don’t know your limits,” she said. “There’s like 20,000 people here. You can just find different people.”
