Events warn students of drinking dangers

Northwest Missouri State University is holding an alcohol awareness campaign this week in anticipation of its upcoming Homecoming celebration — traditionally one of the biggest party weekends of the year.

Various events taking place on campus are designed to encourage students to make good decisions when it comes to consuming alcoholic beverages.

On Wednesday, students drive golf carts over a marked course while wearing "fatal vision" eyewear, also known as "beer goggles."

The goggles simulate what a motorist sees while trying to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .25. The legal BAC limit for drivers in Missouri is .08.

Chris Triplett, a graduate assistant in the peer health education department, was in charge of the "drunk driving" experiment.

"We do this so people understand what it's like to be drunk and driving," Triplett said. "And when they see it while they're sober, they get an opportunity to slow down and think about it."

Other events planned for this week include a "monster mash" Halloween dance on Thursday and a seminar on safe sex.

"We're not going to sit out here and just tell people not to drink," Triplett said. "But we want to tell them how to be smart about it and make good choices."