College binge drinking is a dangerous problem in Boston, and city councilors said Wednesday, that they want colleges to implement substance abuse programs to prevent future alcohol related incidents.
Councilor Michael Ross (Fenway, Back Bay) called for the programs less than a week after councilors reviewed video tapes of post-Super Bowl riots.
“What I witnessed on the news videos was complete havoc,” Ross said. “Havoc as a result of drinking and disrespect for our community.”
Ross commended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s proactive substance abuse program, which offers counseling to certain incoming freshman seen as overly susceptible to binge drinking. The program is free and voluntary, and 90 percent of MIT students offered the program accept counseling for their college years.
“When you’re young and in college you really think you are indestructible,” said Councilor-At-Large Maura Hennigan. “How do we get young people to stop this mentality?”
Ross said he was concerned that binge drinking and rioting will follow future sporting events in Boston.
“These events easily turn into riots and disrespect,” Ross said. “They are a direct combination of a big event and alcohol.”
Councilors agreed that colleges must take steps to create preventative programs and educate students about binge drinking.
“It is also amazing to me the availability of these tapes as people film these binge fests,” said Councilor Maureen Feeney (East Boston, Dorchester). “The opportunities for disaster are so prevalent.”
The council also voted in favor of a hearing to discuss the possible dangers of Boston University’s proposed Level 4 Biosafety laboratory in Boston’s South End. The facility will test various diseases, many of which are incurable and dangerous, in hopes of finding cures and predicting if they may be used in a bioterrorist attack.
“Many have asked me to stand in opposition to the construction of such a facility,” said Councilor James Kelly (Downtown, South End). “But they are unsure of the exact effect it will have on the neighborhood.”
Various biochemical experts and members of the community will attend the hearing to discuss safety concerns and educate the public and council members.
“I am not convinced it is wise to have this type of facility in concentrated cities anywhere in the country,” said Councilor Charles Yancey (Dorchester, Mattapan). “I would not support this threat to residents anymore than I would support a nuclear waste dump in this city.”
All councilors voiced concern about possible safety issues, including the secrecy of such facilities under federal regulations.
“The facility would create jobs, but we don’t live in a perfect world,” Hennigan said. “Someone makes a mistake, and many people will pay a high price.”
The council also voted to hold a hearing to discuss measures to combat childhood obesity in Massachusetts.
“A healthy kid, with a little bit of luck, is going to be a healthy adult,” said Councilor John Tobin (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury). “This must be a whole approach, not just a focus on gym or food.”
In Massachusetts alone, more than $1.8 billion is spent each year on medical costs related to obesity, Tobin said. He added that obesity in the United States has more than tripled since 1980, and many attribute the increase to the large quantities of sugar children are consuming.
“More children are developing osteoporosis than ever before,” Councilor Paul Scapicchio (East Boston, North End) said. “They don’t drink milk; they drink soda and don’t exercise.”
The council voted in favor of a hearing to remove soda and sugary juices from school, as well as to discuss further integrating nutrition and sports into the curriculum.
“Unless our children are healthy physically, they are not going to be healthy mentally,” Feeney said. “This is our responsibility.”