In student life, opportunities to drink alcohol increase when dining out with student club members and friends. Drinking alcohol can be dangerous, as it can lead to the risk of being taken to hospital for acute alcohol poisoning, so it is interesting to know what kind of drinking parties are held. Illegal drugs and dangerous drugs are also scary and can ruin your life. In the past, there have been cases at Waseda University where students have been severely punished or arrested for drinking problems or drug possession. So this time, representatives student club student club by Waseda University, the Broadcasting Research Club, the Japanese drum student club Kaikyo, and the planning student club Walkin', gathered together to hold a roundtable discussion on drinking and drugs. They discussed ideas for preventing drinking-related accidents and the mindset of refusing drugs. We also asked Student Affairs Division, which usually provides guidance to student club, about things to be careful about regarding drinking and drugs and how the university responds. Let's be able to say NO firmly to drinking, which can be life-threatening if you drink a lot or suddenly drink a lot, and to dangerous drugs, and enjoy student club activities and student life.
INDEX
▼1. The largest number of people transported to hospital with acute alcohol poisoning are in their 20s! Tips and tricks put into practice by each student club to prevent drinking-related accidents
▼2. Cases of drug possession among university students are frequently reported. How can you firmly refuse offers to use drugs?
▼3. Remember to be aware of the dangers of drinking alcohol and drugs and engage in student club activities that everyone can enjoy.
1. The largest number of people transported to hospital with acute alcohol poisoning are in their 20s! Tips and tricks put into practice by various student club to prevent drinking-related accidents
Walkin' plans and executes interesting projects, student club Sakigake Hibiki Circle performs heroic Japanese drumming, and the Broadcasting Association Club works behind the scenes to support the performances of each student club. These three student club do not hold drinking parties for new students, but instead welcome them with dinner parties, but it seems that they also enjoy drinking alcohol after turning 20. The number of members and student club activities vary, but what kind of drinking parties do they usually have?
Walkin' Secretary General Taiga Mimura, 3rd year School of Education
Sakigake Hibiki Secretary General Ryoma Fukuda, 3rd year student School of Social Sciences
Broadcasting Association Vice Secretary General Atsuki Shimizu, 3rd year, School of Commerce
(From left) Mimura, Fukuda, and Shimizu
A very popular student club discusses drinking problems. It is important for each individual to be conscious of not drinking excessively and not to allow others to drink excessively.
--Please tell us about the atmosphere at student club 's drinking parties.
Mimura: After activities once or twice a week, about 20 members go out drinking together. Although we plan interesting and unusual activities, many of us actually just want to have a quiet drink. We are particular about choosing izakayas, such as avoiding places where you can hear calls.
Fukuda: After practice, we often go to an izakaya in a group of 4-5 people. We also go together to the after-party after a solo performance. At the drinking party, some people order lots of alcohol, while others don't drink at all. When there's an all-you-can-drink option and people don't order alcohol, we tell them, "Get your money's worth with the soft drinks!" (laughs).
Shimizu: There are also differences in the Broadcasting Research Club between those who like to drink and those who don't. Ours is student club of 500 people, so we only get together for drinks once a year at a training camp. Usually, we drink with 5 to 10 close friends from each team, such as sound or lighting.
A drinking party for the Broadcasting Association Club (left) and Walkin' (right). Members who want to join go after their regular activities, and those who can drink enjoy a drink with their meal. They get excited talking about trivial things at the drinking party, and it seems that they become closer.
--Is there anything you do to make sure everyone can enjoy their drinking parties?
Fukuda: I think binge drinking and forcing people to drink alcohol come from an atmosphere of "fit in with the others." In order to avoid encouraging this, I think it's important to have a sense of balance so that drinkers and non-drinkers are not isolated. In our case, we start by separating the tables for drinkers and non-drinkers, and then we change the seats halfway through so that both groups are evenly mixed.
Shimizu: In past training camps, we made it a rule that participants had to pour their own drinks, and we also had people who could drink a certain amount of alcohol wear wristbands, so we created rules to prevent people from drinking in an unreasonable way and to prevent others from doing so.
Because the Broadcasting Association Club's training camps are held in large numbers, they make arrangements to ensure that they can keep an eye on the group when drinking.
It's also reassuring to have someone who can calmly watch over the drinking party. For example, gently restraining someone who says, "You should drink too," or handing water to someone who wants to drink even though they're drunk... During the training camp, the previous three leaders watched over the others without drinking a thing.
Mimura: In that sense, in our student club, it's an unspoken rule that one of the three main characters always stays until the end of the drinking party. We don't do anything in particular, we just drink at our own pace, but sometimes there are kids who get drunk on their own. When that happens, one of the three main characters or someone else always looks after them until the end and tells them, "That's not good."
--There is data showing that the majority of people who are taken to hospital due to acute alcohol poisoning are in their 20s. What do you think is an effective way to prevent drinking-related accidents among university students?
Source: Tokyo Fire Department data
Fukuda: I have the impression that people who like to binge drink tend to be the type who get carried away and like to be the center of attention. The best thing to do with them is to show no interest. Even if they invite you to join in, just remain disinterested and say, "Let's talk over here," and they'll come back to the conversation.
Walkin' operates under the motto of "thinking seriously about interesting things."
Mimura: If someone encourages us to drink or shout, we say, "That's not funny." Then they say, "It's not funny..." and stop (laughs). It may be effective because we are student club that usually tries hard to come up with interesting ideas.
Shimizu: That's a good idea (laughs). Also, if someone drinks too much and passes out, it's important for people around to tell them off and stop them. At training camps, it's important to prepare more water than there is alcohol, and make sure to drink water between drinks.
2. Cases of illegal drug possession among university students are frequently reported. How can you firmly refuse offers to use illegal drugs?
The next topic was about dangerous illegal drugs. We asked the participants to discuss why they use illegal drugs even though they know they are bad, and what they should do to avoid using them.
It is important to acquire the correct knowledge and be prepared to cut ties if invited to do so.
--What factors do you think lead students to turn to drugs?
Mimura: I was very surprised when I heard a rumor that a friend of a friend had used illegal drugs. When I hear how it spreads like this, I think that sometimes people get involved because of someone close to them.
Shimizu: That's true. For example, some people may be suspicious if they see an ad that says "This is a drug that helps you lose weight," but if a close senior recommends it, they may believe it. In addition to being recommended by someone close to them, I imagine that the worries and mental state of the person at the time are also factors.
People should know that illegal drugs are wrong, but Fukuda says that the reason they still turn to them may be due to their surroundings.
Fukuda: Even if people are aware that illegal drugs are dangerous, it's hard to imagine the specific dangers. Dealers will try to lure you in with clever words like "There are countries where it's legal" or "It's not as dangerous as people say," so I think some people who don't have the knowledge might be drawn in by a morbid curiosity.
--What kind of awareness and ingenuity do you think is necessary to resist the temptation of drugs?
Shimizu: In addition to the dangers, it would be good to have the opportunity to learn about the common names and appearances of drugs. If you are not directly told that something is a drug, you might not realize that it is a drug.
Illegal drugs are difficult to quit once you start using them. It is important to refuse offers from anyone.
Mimura: Recently, even at mass retailers in Takadanobaba, you can see CBD (cannabidiol) products made from ingredients extracted from cannabis plants. I think that even though products such as CBD gummies and CBD coffee are legal, they make it easier to feel like drugs. Personally, I have decided not to believe anything whose credibility is unclear.
Fukuda: In order to protect yourself, I think you need to be prepared to cut ties with people who offer you illegal drugs. You shouldn't continue to associate with people who offer you illegal drugs.
3. Be mindful of the dangers of drinking alcohol and illegal drugs, and enjoy student club activities that everyone can enjoy.
During the roundtable discussion, we spoke with Mr. Shiroza, the head of Student Affairs Section of Student Affairs Division, who normally provides guidance to student club, about alcohol and drugs, past cases, how Student Affairs Division has responded, and the impact they have.
What Waseda Student Affairs Division wants to tell students: Actual cases of alcohol-related accidents and drug abuse
Shunsuke Shiroza, Section Chief Student Affairs Section Student Affairs Division
Shiroza: Did you know that there have been cases of students at Waseda University dying from binge drinking or other sudden, excessive drinking? Alcohol can be fatal if consumed in the wrong way.
If it is discovered that a student is drinking alcohol under the age of 20 or that someone is forcing them to drink alcohol, the student may be subject to disciplinary action and student club may be subject to severe penalties. In addition, if the student is receiving a Scholarship, they may lose their eligibility and be required to repay the money, which may place a heavy financial burden on the family and make it difficult for them to continue their studies.
Below are some examples of cases that have occurred in Waseda University student club and how they have been dealt with. In addition, all officially recognized student club are required to submit a "Drinking Pledge" every year.
*In either case, all student club members will be interviewed and given guidance by their department to confirm the facts. In addition, the disciplinary action and guidance will be notified to Guardian.
[Case 1]
Drinking alcohol at drinking parties by people under the age of 20 was commonplace, and despite repeated instruction, the violations continued.
→ student club activities will be suspended indefinitely. student club official recognition status for the next fiscal year will be revoked.
[Case 2]
They brought alcohol into the club room in Waseda University Student Center, drank it, and caused trouble inside the building.
→ student club activities will be suspended indefinitely. Club rooms will not be allowed to be used next year.
[Case 3]
During the training camp, student club members engaged in dangerous and malicious behavior (binge drinking as a penalty game and excessive drinking) and were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
→ student club activities suspended indefinitely.
"Drinking Pledge"
Shiroza: Drinking accidents ruin not only your own life, but also the lives of many others, including your family, the victims, and in some cases, the bereaved. I have seen the sad faces of those around you during interviews. We do not want to punish you, but rather we do not want you to experience such a thing and we want to protect you.
On the other hand, the scary thing about illegal drugs is that they can suddenly creep up on your daily life. Also, in many cases you will be approached by close acquaintances, but you must have the courage to firmly refuse. Do not approach drugs out of curiosity or impulse. Possession and use of illegal drugs (※) can have a huge impact on your life. On campus, you will bear the heavy price of disciplinary action, including expulsion, and off campus, you will be arrested. Please be aware of this not just during your student life, but for the rest of your life.
(※) In December 2023, the amendment to the Cannabis Control Act was passed. While it became possible to use medicines made from cannabis, the use of cannabis was also prohibited in addition to the possession and transfer of cannabis, which are already prohibited.
How should students deal with dangerous drinking and illegal drugs? Let's think about this for a safe, secure and enjoyable student life.
--Please tell us your thoughts after completing this roundtable discussion and what you would like to use in your student club activities in the future.
Mimura: I felt that in order to prevent drinking-related accidents, it is important to know the impact on one's life and the lives of others. I was also impressed by the words of Student Affairs Division, "We want to protect students." As students, we tend to focus on the penalties, but I was able to reaffirm the university's intentions that underlie the penalties.
Shimizu: I felt that it is the role of the three members of student club to protect the other members of the club, and it made me more determined. I want to keep in mind the dangers of drinking-related accidents and learn to deal with alcohol in a good way so that I don't ruin each of our lives.
Fukuda: If I encounter a dangerous situation, such as binge drinking or shouting, I would like to stop it with a phrase like "It's not funny" that I mentioned today. I will continue to hold drinking parties where we can enjoy delicious alcohol in a friendly atmosphere. And I promise not to use illegal drugs.
Public information on student club that appeared this time
Walkin'
X: @Walkin_PR
Instagram: @walkin_pr
Sakigake Hibiki
Website: https://sakigake-hibiki.tokyo/
X: @sakigake_hibiki
Instagram: @waseda.sakigakehibiki
Broadcasting Association
Website: http://www.whknet.com/
X: @whknetnow
Instagram: @whk_official
*The Waseda University Official student club Guide, which includes information on student club listed above, can be found here.
Left photo: Walkin's popular welcome event, which was revived in 2023 after a four-year hiatus, involved dissecting a tuna. The bones were cut with a saw.
Photo on the right: Sakigake Hibiki's solo performance "Hibiki Festival 2023" in November 2023. The stage costumes are matching happi coats and headbands.
"WHK FESTA" hosted by the Broadcasting Association in January 2024. They plan and organize everything themselves.
Interview and text: Akane Ichikawa (2017 Graduate of School of Culture, Media and Society)
Photo: Shiori Banjo
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