Thirsty Thursday is a new series that will examine alcohol-related issues on the University of Wisconsin campus in hopes of sparking discourse on our official UW Binge Blog. Future columns will feature student, campus and community leaders who have a stake in the university’s drinking scene. This week’s segment chronicles three students’ experiences participating in ride-alongs with the UW Police. The column is sponsored solely by students, and it is our goal to open up lines of communication between students and the campus community. This is your opportunity to speak your mind about university alcohol initiatives and have your voice heard by fellow peers and community officials.

Imagine for a minute being that gauche, sober kid in the corner while your comrades drink themselves into oblivion. OK, so you’re not exactly the life of the party, but you sure as hell aren’t belting out “Don’t Stop Believin,'” nor do you look like Britney after one of her more rancid drug-induced stupors. Sobriety might sound like a tragic waste of a sacrosanct weekend night; however, I maintain that our less sinful counterparts have a monopoly on the most amusing entertainment in the city.

Tagging along with the UW Police last Friday night, I had a front row seat to the Bacchic propensities of this campus that have been popularized in junk science literature and serve as the pride of many a frat boy. In an enlightening, although not that surprising, turn of events, I found myself peering down the sterile halls of what appeared to be a psych ward. The weekend tenants at Madison’s detoxification facility administered to me an overwhelming dose of aversion therapy. Instantly, the personal and societal costs of UW’s quasi-addiction to alcohol became apparent.

The next time you gear up for a night of heavy drinking, consider the group of bros decked out in boy-band garb or the girls strutting down State in outfits that would make their fathers cringe and ask yourself, “How did we get here?” When did UW students become so dependent on a depressant drug to facilitate their social lives?

–Aramis Jerome, Senior

I had to explain why I didn’t drink last Friday, as though drinking is the first and only activity to do on a weekend. The night started off with my roommates and me watching the men’s hockey game and eating dinner. But as they showered, I threw on a North Face and left. Instead of dressing up, taking shots and braving the rain, I rode along with the UWPD.

Although the night was fairly quiet, we did give sobriety tests and embarrassed two guys by making them walk a construction sign back to where they stole it. We didn’t take anyone to detox or deal with drunken idiots insisting they were sober, but I did watch the “social scene” from a very different — and sober — point of view.

I wasn’t dancing with my new best friends or shamelessly flirting to get a free drink. I was listening to girls outside Ian’s arguing over mac and cheese pizza, and watching freezing people waiting to get into Brother’s. Watching drunks proved to be as much fun as being the one drinking. I was home at bar time, but woke up ready to tailgate without a hangover and with just as many stories to share.

–Jessica Hornyak, Senior

Two weeks ago, I received the opportunity to ride along with the UWPD. During my ride-along, I witnessed many instances of alcohol-related behavior leading to police intervention. This intervention causes many police resources to be diverted to alcohol-related offenses, taking vital resources away from safety on and around campus.

Right now, the only way we can spark widespread changes is by taking on the responsibility ourselves. During the Friday night ride-along, I saw several things that need a change, but now I ask three things from us students:

Be responsible for yourself: Know your limit. This does not mean a specific numerical limit. If your limit was seven drinks last Friday but you exercised or ate less, this Friday seven could have the effect of 12.

Be responsible for your friends. Be aware of your friends when you go out. This isn’t to say count their drinks, but don’t let your close friends wander a drunken night alone.

Participate in the discussion about UW’s alcohol issues. This is how it works: Go to the UW Binge blog and tell us what you want to see change. I see your comments and can directly address your concerns with the AOD Taskforce. The taskforce can approve these changes, and often the university absolves our recommendations. So, go and voice your opinion in a place where it can create change today!

–Mark Woulf, AOD Taskforce undergraduate representative

Continue the conversation at www.uwbinge.ning.com.