Abusive drinking by college students has caused the nation to examine ways we can avoid these kinds of senseless tragedies. Anheuser-Busch and its more than 600 distributors across the country, in partnership with retailers and educators, are working hard to address such issues on college campuses.

Our message on the college campus is clear. If you’re 21 and older and choose to drink, please drink responsibly. If you’re under 21, respect the law — don’t do it. Personal responsibility is the foundation for addressing this issue, and only when students are armed with the facts can they make informed decisions.

With abusive drinking at colleges on the decline and abstinence doubling since 1982, something is going right. But no one can ignore the abusive side of the curve. Abusive drinking at any age, on or off campus, is irresponsible and dangerous. It suggests risk behavior and it needs our continued attention and the attention of the academic and counseling section of our schools.