NCAA Alcohol Policy Review Viewed Skeptically

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has launched a major review of its alcohol policies, but a leading prevention expert is skeptical that the exercise will lead to substantive changes, Agape Press reported Feb. 3.

The NCAA's main rule-making panel is reportedly looking at everything from advertising guidelines to beer sales at school stadiums. Recent alcohol-related tragedies on campus and cases like the recent liability award handed down against beer-sellers at Giants Stadium in a drunk-driving case have provided motivation for change.

"At least some good can come of this if the NCAA really does reconsider its policies and its close ties to the alcohol industry," said Dr. Henry Wechsler, director of the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Studies Program.

But Wechsler doubts that the NCAA will order schools to cut their ties with the alcohol industry or ban alcohol ads. "Schools tend to have an alcohol problem, especially if they depend on money from the industry," he said. "It's going to be a large source of revenue to give up, and that may drive many schools not to want to make a complete cut from the industry