Amanda Noel has seen friends have problems with the law because of alcohol, though they've reacted in different ways.

"Some of them have gotten in trouble, and it has changed them, but some haven't been affected at all," said Noel, a senior majoring in biology at Juniata College who is taking summer classes at University Park.

Either way, more people are heeding laws because of stricter enforcement, which has led to a reduced number of deaths from drunk driving, according to a study published in the July issue of Accident Analysis and Prevention.

State laws that make it illegal to possess or purchase alcohol under the age of 21 have led to an 11 percent drop in alcohol-fueled traffic accident deaths among youths, the study indicates. States with strict fake I.D. laws have experienced a 7 percent drop in alcohol-related car deaths among drivers under the age of 21.

Linda LaSalle, associate director for educational services at University Health Services, is involved with many of Penn State's alcohol education programs. She sees students because of alcohol-related issues every year, but that number fluctuates annualy.

LaSalle said the amount of alcohol-related incidents depends partly on community enforcement, adding residence assistants' attitudes toward drinking has a significant impact on how much drinking occurs in on-campus dormitories.

"Research does demonstrate that when policies and laws are enforced, it reduces destructive behavior," she said.

The university has many programs in place to prevent students from involving themselves in alcohol-related crimes, Penn State Police Officer Rebecca Berdine said.

The programs focus on DUI awareness, underage drinking and other alcohol-related concerns. Penn State also sends letters to the homes of incoming freshmen to tell them about Penn State's alcohol policies, which now include a mandated AlcoholEdu class for all incoming freshmen.

Pennsylvania is one of 19 states whose alcohol is controlled, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board press secretary Nick Hays said.

The commonwealth directly operates stores that sell wine, liquor or beer wholesale and regulates restaurants and bars that sell alcohol, Hays said.

"They need a license from us, and their employees are state employees," he said.

Noel thinks most students won't be deterred by attempts to control alcohol.

"People are going to get alcohol if they really want to drink," she said.

Though the university has programs in place to deal with alcohol problems, there are some variables that cannot be controlled, Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said.

"We live in a community where there is a lot of advertising promoting cheap alcohol specials," he said.

Penn State probably has as many programs in place as any other university when it comes to alcohol abuse, Mahon said.

"There's nothing unique here. There's lots of places selling alcohol. Nobody should be surprised by the outcome at the end of the day," he said. "We have far too many students who end their night in the emergency room at the Mount Nittany Medical Center."