The Solution to High-risk Collegiate Drinking: Amethyst Goblets

While researching the mythical connection between the gemstone amethyst and the consumption of alcohol, I discovered the following:

Amethyst, the most valuable crystal of the quartz family, comes in

many colors ranging from pale delicate lilac to rich deep purple. It

derives its name from a Greek word meaning "not intoxicated" and has

been known historically for its supposed power to help one maintain

that condition!

According to ancient myth, Bacchus, the god of wine, was so enraged

over a slight by the goddess Artemis that he vowed that the first person

to enter his forest would be devoured by his tigers. This hapless

mortal turned out to be the beautiful virgin Amethyst, who was on her

way to worship at the shrine of Artemis. As the ferocious beasts sprang

on her, she called on Artemis for help and was turned into pure white

stone. In repentance for his cruelty, Bacchus poured the juice of

grapes over the stone and gave it its purplish-violet color.

In memory of the transformed nymph, the stone that bears her name was endowed with the ability to protect the wearer from the evils of

intoxicating drink. The custom of drinking wine from cups of amethyst

evolved in the belief that the gems would ensure one remained sober.

Based on, http://bit.ly/LKK62Z, last accessed 24 July 2012.

In light of this, it occurs to me that a solution to the high-risk collegiate drinking may be, as is often the case, recorded in history and available for our use if we would but open our eyes.  To be specific, what if we in higher education, dedicated to educating young minds and affecting student behavior, lobbied our institutions to issue individualized drinking cups, to each student as she or he begins school on the first day--goblets carved from genuine amethyst at elite private schools and amethyst colored crystal on public campuses? 

            These mugs can be personalized with a particular institution’s logo or Greek organization’s letters, perhaps even both if done as a joint (more about joints and gemstones appropriate for preventing intoxication via marijuana later) venture.  This will ensure school/organization spirit while at the same time documenting the concerted effort to control the abuse of alcohol by the sponsoring institution/group.  To increase the likelihood that these cups, and these cups alone, will be used in the pursuit of that apparently universal collegiate rite of passage, drinking, institutions of higher education should strongly encourage its Greek organizations and other campus student groups which sponsor "mixers" to offer "free refills" to any student presenting an GENUINE amethyst drinking mug.

            It occurs to me that this could be a rather expensive proposition initially.  However, when considering the sources suggesting that chief administrators in higher education estimate that 21% of all attrition is directly attributable to alcohol related problems/issues (see http://1.usa.gov/PEtsaj, last visited 24 July 2012), amethyst drinking cups may not be financially prohibitive.

            Now, some may argue that this is a ridiculous suggestion and that money spent on such a venture would accomplish only one result, biting comments by some pundit on a cable news channel railing about “how your money is being spent.”   But I beg that you not throw this idea out like the proverbial baby with the bath water.  Consider first the literature on expectations and drinking behavior and our efforts to date to modify collegiate drinking: amethyst mugs may not be such a bizarre idea (provided we do an adequate job relating the story of Bacchus, Artemis, and the Amethyst to each student as s/he receives her/his goblet).

            I trust this brings the hint of a smile to your face; clearly its writing reflects the satirical muse that resides in my office this morning.   To pursue more serious discussion on this most important topic of alcohol and collegiate life, I suggest that you subscribe to DRUGHIED, an Google Groups discussion group dedicated to issues of alcohol, other drugs, and higher education.

To subscribe to DRUGHIED, email me at chapman.phd@gmail.com or leave a comment here.

What do you think 

Dr. Robert