Newly released statistics on dangerous drinking in the State College area have raised concern for a local community organization.

The Campus and Community Partnership United Against Dangerous Drinking released its second annual assessment report, which outlines statistics involving alcohol-related issues at Penn State and the surrounding community.

"It's a report on what we see happening in the community," said Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon, a partnership co-chair.

According to the report, from 2001-2002, the percentage of arrests and citations for alcohol-related offenses increased from 58 to 65 percent. In 2003, the percentage dropped to 61 percent.

In 2003, there were 227 student citations for public drunkenness and 918 for liquor law violations.

"Alcohol sales have gone up, emergency room visits have gone up, arrests have gone up, the average blood-alcohol level for people who wind up in the emergency room has gone up and the average age of emergency [victims] has gone down," Mahon said.

He said the committee is not interested in stopping stores from selling alcohol.

"We're trying to do lots of publicity in terms of educating students," Mahon said. "Students shouldn't be falling out of high-rise apartment windows. Students shouldn't be drunk driving."

Mahon added that he wants students to be informed about the dangers of drinking excessively so they can be safe.

"It's having a negative impact on our community. Students shouldn't be dying," he said.

Other data show that there were 199 alcohol-related emergency room visits in 1999. That number grew to 259 visits in 2002 and slightly decreased to 248 in 2003.

Of students who were tested for blood-alcohol content (BAC) at the emergency room, the average has gone up from .22 in 1999 to almost .23 in 2003.

Late Night Penn State was created in 1996 to give students alcohol-free entertainment alternatives from 9 p.m. to midnight on Thursdays, and from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

"Students say they drink to reduce stress and to get drunk and have a good time with their friends," said Linda LaSalle, University Health Services community health educator. "It surprises me that students aren't more creative in their selection of alternative activities."

Some students said they feel the setting of Late Night Penn State at the HUB-Robeson Center is immature.

"I think it's kind of juvenile," Meg Kennedy (junior-biology) said. "When you go, it's like you can play board games or you can wrestle. I feel like it's for kindergartners."

According to the partnership's report, alcohol sales in State College at the three state liquor stores reached more than $15 million last year. Beer sale statistics were not available.

"It's a startling figure," said State College Mayor and partnership co-chair Bill Welch.

Partnership members are concerned about the effects of such high-volume sales in a town this size.

"Roughly two-thirds of the crime in the community involves alcohol," Welch said.

Peggy Lorah, Center for Women Students director, said the committee is looking for ways to keep the community safe.

"Alcohol is involved in most cases of sexual assault," she said.

Welch added the partnership's goal is not to keep students from having fun.

"I'm pro-fun, but I'm also anti-dangerous drinking," he said. "I just want [students] to know that this is really a safety and health effort."