A Nova Scotia university that saw one of its students die last year after a night of drinking has vowed to make
changes to its alcohol policy following a report from the province’s top doctor.

Acadia University in Wolfville says it will work with public health and emergency health services to learn how to respond to issues related to high-risk drinking behaviour.

Health Minister Dave Wilson says the problem is not unique to Acadia, that universities everywhere struggle with student binge drinking.

“I know, I think, in any jurisdiction, you go to any university campus that there’s issues sometimes around binge drinking,” he says.  “That’s why I think we need to continue to educate young people on the ramifications of over-excessive drinking and the results of that.”

The university has also vowed to create a group of students specifically trained to reach out to their high-risk peers, and to
train staff and students to change their attitudes about binge drinking.  The school’s commitments are in response to a report released today by Robert Strang, the province’s chief public health officer, on alcohol risks among university students.

A 19-year-old Alberta man died in hospital almost a year ago, days after he was found unresponsive following a night of drinking in his residence at Acadia.