CBS 46 Atlanta - UGA police will begin arresting students for underage drinking

CBS 46 Atlanta - UGA police will begin arresting students for underage drinkingUGA police will begin arresting students for underage drinking
Dec 25, 2005, 10:39 PM

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Starting next year, underage students caught drinking at the University of Georgia will be arrested and sent to jail. The change represents a tougher stance on underage drinking after years of simply giving out citations.

U-G-A Police Chief Jimmy Williamson says the new policy is aimed at changing campus culture and increasing students' sense of responsibility. Williamson says he hopes the stigma of being arrested and jailed will deter students from the excessive drinking that can lead to other crimes.

University spokesman Tom Jackson says U-G-A police started issuing citations instead of arresting students in 1998 after parents complained about the way students were treated when arrested. But Jackson says the citation policy "is not working very well," so U-G-A police are returning to the old policy.

Some students complain that the new policy is unfair, but admit it will probably make them think twice about drinking on campus.