Twenty students attended the first of the Six Pack Series event

“Money and Booze” Wednesday night. The Health Education Resource Center is hosting the six-week event to raise awareness about alcohol and its effects. “College students across the nation spent about 5.5 billion dollars on alcohol, mostly beer, in 2005.

“This is more than books, soda, coffee, juice, and milk combined,” said Jimmy Friesma, substance abuse coordinator at the HERC.

“Money is the biggest concern because of the debt students are graduating college with much is due to alcohol,” Friesma said.

Throughout the hour, Friesma explained the costs for college students to drink alcohol on a regular basis and how it affects them more than they realize, such as dreaded drinking tickets.

No matter if students are underage or 21, drinking tickets can take a toll on their wallets. Drinking underage can cost a person a $300-350 ticket if caught under the influence or at a party where alcohol is being served, and $125-150 for being at a bar.

Camille Williams, a freshmen elementary education major, who attended the event, was shocked. “I didn’t know if you weren’t drinking at a party you still get a ticket,” she said.

Students should not think they are safe it they are over 21, either. Selling to a minor is a $350 ticket, open possession is a $110, purchasing liquor without a license is a $350 ticket, and a keg violation is a $200 ticket. Not realizing the risks can cause a student to pay the price. On top of that, some people under the influence even receive public urination tickets costing $110 and will earn them a spot as a registered sex offender. Other than the risks that could possible affect one’s piggy bank, Friesma added up average total costs of a weekend night out of drinking. He estimated a total of $45 a night on purely alcohol and chasers.

The fact that alcohol is a diuretic doesn’t help either. Diuretics make people thirsty, which make them want to drink more and unnecessarily spend more money on booze.

Friesma warned the students about the dangers of opening a tab while at the bar.

“Students tend to spend 12-18 percent more when purchasing with a debit or credit card because of the emotional connection to cash,” Friesma said. He recommends always using cash at the bar and a budget.

On Sept. 1st, 2009 the state increased taxes on alcohol sales to lower the underage drinking rate. Since then, bars and liquor stores have been seeking deals to attract customers.

“You don’t realize how much money you actually spend because you don’t realize what your doing at the time,” said Nana Gyasi, a freshman family and consumer sciences major.

The goal of the Six Pack Series is to provide students with knowledge to make responsible decisions while they are out.

More than 50 percent of students who attended this event said they plan on returning for the next week’s Six Pack Series event.

The second in the series is called Sex and Booze. It will be held by Amanda Woolard on Wednesday, Sept. 8th at 7 p.m. in the Lumpkin Auditorium. By attending Sex and Booze, students will not only learn about this topic, but Jeremy also adds, “Students will be certified rubber lovers and we expect a big crowd for that reason.”

Lauren Lombardo can be reached at 581-7943 or at

lnlombardo@eiu.edu.