Underage drinking and substance abuse are found on many college campuses, Susan Foster said, but most students are unaware of the differing and harmful effects for men and women.

Foster, vice president of policy research and analysis at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, delivered an informative presentation about substance abuse by women to community leaders and Penn State campus representatives yesterday afternoon.

CASA's recent book, "Women Under the Influence," is a culmination of 10 years of research on substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol, and illicit or prescription drugs, and their effects on women.

Foster said that her book shows critical findings about the difference between addiction for women and men. "One drink for women is equal to two drinks for men," Foster said. "Just as one cigarette for women has the same carcinogenic impact as about two cigarettes for men."

The reason for the inequality in alcohol consumption is the way male and female bodies metabolize alcohol. Mental health problems and an earlier puberty increase the risk of addiction for girls much more than boys.

"The time to dependence is less for females than it is for males," Foster said.

A major obstacle in curbing substance abuse in young people is the tobacco industry's promotion and glamorization of addiction, Foster said. Since the 1920's, companies have promoted cigarettes as a mechanism to achieve the ideal weight.

"College campuses have historically had problems with promotions from tobacco companies," Foster said. "The alcohol industry has followed the road paved by the tobacco industry."

Foster said, statistically, teens that drink before the age of 15 are four times as likely to become alcoholics as those who begin drinking at age 21. In turn, the alcohol industry depends on underage and pathological drinking for 38 to 49 percent of consumption.

Foster also spoke about the importance of educating today's youth about the effects of substance abuse, especially through the media. Media should be responsible for informing students substance abuse "isn't all fun and games."

"We need to get information into the hands of America's women so that we can make better choices for ourselves and for our children," Foster said.

Foster challenged Penn State to take on the issue of excessive alcohol consumption and place it in the faces of parents and the public. She said a university-wide initiative is necessary.

"We're changing the way people think about the problem, which can take a long time," Foster said.

Alec Bittner (senior-accounting) proposed options for ways to engage and inform students about alcohol consumption on campuses.

"We should get students engaged in activities as soon as they get to campus," Bittner said. "We should also get college students to go into high schools and get them involved even before they get up here."

When asked how she would specifically address college-aged women, Foster said students should not be duped by the alcohol industry.

"Think about the facts, and use your abilities to make better choices," Foster said. "Is it fun, what you experience the next morning? Is it fun not to remember who you had sex with the night before?"