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Landes says there’s been a change with the pace and amount of time that students are drinking, <br />particularly before football games. <br />“The phenomenon of ‘pregaming’ is gaining popularity,” said Landes. “Drinking a high volume <br />of alcohol in a short amount of time is different. One of the messages that the university is <br />sending to parents in their communication at their orientation sessions it’s different today.” <br />Coalition membership includes agency partners from the university, town, and county, university <br />students, community members, and downtown bar and restaurant owners. Strategies to address <br />high risk drinking and its impact on the community include public education and updates and <br />additions to policies related to high risk drinking. <br />Town-gown coalitions to curb drinking on college campuses are nothing new. There are similar <br />groups at Michigan State, Ohio State and the University of Massachusetts. Landes says what <br />makes the Chapel Hill group unique is support from the town. <br />“The town has committed funding and resources in terms of time and dedication and staff,” said <br />Landes. “The university has done the same, but we also have the county health department on <br />board. And the Orange County ABC board. So we have this coalition of folks that includes some <br />unique partners in the health department and in the ABC board.” <br />Landes says the fact that many of these organizations are pitching in shows that Chapel Hill is <br />taking the issue of binge drinking seriously. <br />