Much is written about collegiate drinking excesses. A unique problem of college culture, even its health threatening and future career-impairing consequences have had little impact in reducing abusive student drinking. Students possess knowledge about alcohol's risk, but, because of developmental immaturity, many lack the self-control and good judgment to use it wisely.

With 44 percent of collegiate drinkers identified as binge drinkers; alcohol-related deaths and poisonings at record levels; serious alcohol-related health damage; high-risk misbehaviors; and the majority of the nation's alcoholics identified as young people (teens to age 26), town response to this health crisis has been modest. Many researchers assert alcohol is the nation's worst drug problem -- it is certainly a problem here.

Increasingly, more town and university resources are required to manage this menace. Law enforcement, emergency medical responders, hospital staff, university administrators, treatment professionals, courts and other resources come to mind, not to mention angry residents often falling victim to the actions of drunken students.

But surveys find many students don't drink at all. Defying collegiate culture, their non-drinking example is important for themselves, peers and changing this drinking culture.

Many collegians drink simply because they perceive it as expected behavior. Effective environmental change is crucial if progress is to be made in altering perceptions that support abusive drinking. Providing students with alternative and positive role models, behaviors and examples is important to that end.

By policy, all UNC housing is alcohol-free for underage students. Reality, however, is quite different.

Redefining the meaning of a good time in college, many students desire substance-free housing. No alcohol, no other drugs, no tobacco use. The University of Michigan, for example, designates an additional 28 percent of its housing annually as substance-free. Research finds such housing makes a difference in reducing student drinking and consumption amounts.

Several substance-free units exist at UNC. A proposal has been made by the Wesley Foundation to construct a 140-bed student housing unit at the corner of Rosemary and Church streets. To live there, residents must pledge to be alcohol and other drug free. Admittedly, there is concern in some quarters over imagined parking issues. Ironically, this area prominently features two bars strongly identified with student drinking.

Town Council approval of this project provides an excellent opportunity to support a proven environmental strategy aimed at reducing troublesome drinking at UNC. It's a unique opportunity for town leaders to play a pivotal role in supporting environmental change designed to reduce abusive drinking and its resultant burden on town resources, while enhancing quality of life for students and residents.

This is a winning alternative, serving the interests of students, town resources and residents. It deserves Town Council support, and would serve as an important town affirmation for UNC efforts to reduce excessive student drinking.

Inviting students into our community, we have a responsibility to support a healthy and safe environment. For effective environmental change to occur, the Town Council must be an active part of the solution process. In setting town priorities, parking is important, but reducing destructive student drinking is critical.

Ronald E. Bogle is a retired Superior Court judge and works with the Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers.