Robert Duffy

Robert Duffy, coordinator of the Kelly Center's Drug and Alcohol Wellness Network (DAWN), has been making the rounds to many FHSU classrooms to educate students on responsible drinking and the consequences associated with the opposite.

"We want to get out and get students thinking about the decisions they are going to be faced with," Duffy said.

The effort is part of FHSU's three-pronged law enforcement approach, which includes education, options (such as Safe Ride) and enforcement.

According to Duffy, the Hays community consumes more alcohol during the Homecoming/Oktoberfest weekend than any other weekend in the year.

Although Duffy says the safest decision is not to drink, he knows that realistically lots of students are going to drink during the festivities.He believes, though, that when students have been educated in all the options available to them, they will behave responsibly and look out for one another.

"Students tend to take care of each other and themselves," Duffy said.

Duffy said that the students, alumni and community members that attend Oktoberfest usually behave responsibly.

"Most people go down there, have a beer and their lunch and then they leave," Duffy said, adding that it is the ones that drink to excess that cause the most trouble and give the event the negative stigma it currently possesses.

Duffy also emphasized that there would be an increased police contingent during Oktoberfest.

"While there is more drinking, there is also a heightened sense of security," Duffy said."The (police) do a good job of keeping it fairly safe."

In addition to the presence of the Hays Police Department, Duffy also mentioned a group of law enforcement officers called the Alcoholic Beverage Patrol (ABC Police).These officers drive around in unmarked cars and hand out tickets to minors in possession of alcohol.

Duffy emphasized that those under 21 should be very cautious at the event.If a minor is caught with an alcoholic beverage, even if the person is just holding the beverage for a friend for a few seconds, that person can and will be written up by law enforcement.

While Duffy is obviously not a proponent of drinking, he does not think FHSU's involvement in the Oktoberfest celebrations necessarily encourages rampant drinking, nor does he think the event should be cancelled.

"Oktoberfest isn't an official Fort Hays event, but it is a bit part of it," Duffy said."I don't think my job is made any harder by that."

"I don't think (FHSU President Ed Hammond) tapping the keg will encourage students to get absolutely hammered.It's not at all President Hammond saying, ,Fort Hays students come and drink your tails off.'"

Duffy sees FHSU's role in the festivities as more one of ceremony and Hammond's tapping of the keg as a symbol of the college's good relationship with the community.

Duffy has also been pleased in recent years as attempts have been made to make the event safer, including changing the time of the event and the careful monitoring of messages provided during the festivities.

"There's been some tightening of the reigns," Duffy said.