| OBJECTIVES: We assessed the
relationship between college student and adult
binge drinking rates by state and state alcohol
control policies.
METHODS: We analyzed binge drinking rates from
two national surveys, the Harvard School of Public
Health College Alcohol Study and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk
Factor Surveillance System. Binge drinking data
were linked to a summary measure of seven salient
alcohol control policies and a rating of resources
devoted to law enforcement.
RESULTS: State-level college and adult binge
drinking rates were strongly correlated (r = 0.43;
p < 0.01). Attending college in states with
the lowest binge drinking rates (Adjusted Odds
Ratio [AOR] = 0.63; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]
= 0.41 - 0.97) and more stringent alcohol control
policies (AOR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.33 - 0.97) were
independent predictors of student binge drinking,
after adjusting for state law enforcement, and
individual, college- and state-level covariates.
CONCLUSIONS: State of residence is a predictor
of binge drinking by college students. State-level
alcohol control policies may help reduce binge
drinking among college students and in the general
population.
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