During the third week of October each year, college campuses across the country observe National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. As a proud university alumnus and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, I encourage all students to become more educated on the dangers of alcohol abuse, including the deadly costs associated with binge drinking.

Alcohol abuse continues to be a great concern of college administrators, parents and students -especially freshmen. Inevitably, thousands of students nationwide will face the challenging dilemma of balancing their academic priorities with the new freedoms of college social life.

Alcohol Awareness Week is a chance for colleges to discuss these challenges and provide support and education to the campus community. With good information at hand, students are more likely to make responsible choices.

According to research by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the consequences of excessive drinking by college students are more significant, more destructive and more costly than they were previously believed to be. The latest round of NIAAA statistics indicates drinking by college students aged 18 to 24 contributes to an estimated 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape each year. In addition, more than one-fourth of college students in that age range have driven in the past year while under the influence of alcohol.

In recent years, I have become increasingly concerned about the rising popularity of binge drinking on college campuses. The NIAAA defines “bingeing” as any drinking practice that creates a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 percent or above. This usually corresponds to a rate of four or more drinks for females and five or more for males during a two-hour period.

The effects of binge drinking include long-term health problems such as liver disease, heart disease, certain forms of cancer and pancreatitis. Besides being an unhealthy practice, binge drinking is a dangerous one: People’s decision-making ability becomes significantly impaired, often leading them to injure themselves or others. Drinking too much in a short period of time can also lead to alcohol poisoning, and in some cases, death. Furthermore, binge drinkers suffer tragic repercussions of lost potential: academic setbacks, diminished drive and, often times, a future put on hold.

Now in its second decade, NCAAW should be a time for all colleges to build and strengthen year-round alcohol abuse prevention programs, launch new prevention initiatives and combat negative stereotypes about college drinking. By sending a clear message to college students that alcohol abuse is not the norm among their peers, universities can foster real changes in drinking behavior.

I look back fondly on my days at the university. Besides providing a great educational experience, it was a tremendously fun place to spend my undergraduate years. College is a time to embark on new discoveries, learn about yourself as a person and foster life-long relationships. In the midst of such excitement, it’s easy to get caught up in the temptations to drink to excess.

I understand college is a time for students to enjoy themselves, as many get their first taste of personal freedom and independence. All I ask along the way is that my fellow Terrapins follow the law, look out for each other and be responsible. If you’re going to drink, don’t drive. If you’re going travel somewhere, make sure you have a designated driver. Most of all, educate your peers about the dangers of binge drinking. With good information and the will to do what’s right, you can decrease alcohol abuse and support your peers on their paths to healthy, productive adult lives.

Rep. Steny Hoyer represents the fifth Congressional District of Maryland and is serving his second term as the House Democratic Whip. He can be reached through his website, www.hoyer.house.gov.