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Leanne Gregg reporting It is estimated that half a million college students suffer alcohol-related injuries each year. Another 400,000 have unprotected sex while under the influence of alcohol.
Now thousands of college students across America have been asked to take a new online alcohol awareness course by mid-October. It's designed to curb problem drinking at colleges, and hopefully prevent alcohol related injuries and deaths.
Fort Collins, Colorado: A university town where back to school meant back to the streets for teams like this, helping neighborhoods get ready For the return of students, and the parties that come with them.
“They'll get a ticket for their littering or whatever they're doing."
Colorado State University freshmen are among thousands of students nationwide now asked to take an online course on alcohol awareness.
The three hour workshop, called "Alcohol e-d-u" helps gives students an idea of what to expect regarding alcohol and college life.
Brittany Rogers/ Student: "I wasn't really enthusiastic about doing it because I don't drink anyway."
Jamie Everman/ Student: "I think it was a good refresher course."
Joel Ewan/ Student: "I learned a lot from it."
At the University of Texas San Antonio and many other colleges, the online course is mandatory. Not wildly popular, but making a difference.
"I was excited, I was like, oh parties... but then I read it, and was like, Hey it has nasty effects on you."
University's hope to avoid this: Riots, destruction, and worse. Alcohol is blamed for the deaths of up to 1700 college students each year.
Samantha Spady was among the victims. The Colorado State freshman wasn't breathing when she was found at a frat house last year after a night of drinking.
Despite deaths across the country, for some students, partying is as much A part of college life as books and classes.
But school administrators at CSU and across the country are quick to point out that changing an entire culture of alcohol on campus will take more than just one program."
Ann Hudgens/ Colorado State University: "It takes a much more sophisticated approach on campus to handle the entire continuum of who is here."
From internet classes, to neighborhood campaigns. The goal is to take one step at a time to change culture, and make alcohol a less prominent part of college life.
An estimated 250,000 college students at over 450 universities have taken the alcohol e-d-u course.
