James Lange | San Diego State University (original) (raw)

A few papers by James Lange

Research paper thumbnail of Youth escaping limits on drinking: binging in Mexico

Addiction, 2000

Aims. In Tijuana, Mexico, a loosely enforced age-18 law and inexpensive drinks have given rise to... more Aims. In Tijuana, Mexico, a loosely enforced age-18 law and inexpensive drinks have given rise to a nightclub district frequented by thousands of young Southern Californians each weekend night. Surveys were designed to characterize the extent of the cross-border binge-drinking traffic and to support and evaluate the community’s response. Design. Over 1 year, two anonymous and voluntary breath-test surveys were done. Drivers and pedestrians were pulled randomly from the stream of northbound border crossers and recruited to participate. Setting. Surveys occurred between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. on randomly selected Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Participants were recruited within the Port of Entry building. Participants. Of the 5849 border crossers recruited, 87.4% participated in the survey. Measurements. Information was obtained through a standardized verbal interview. All participants were asked to take an alcohol breath test. Findings. On weekend nights, more than 6500 people cross back into the United States between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. after drinking or visiting a bar or restaurant. Pedestrians represent the highest concentration of drinkers, with more than 30% having BACs of 0.08 or greater. Most of these pedestrians return to parked vehicles on the US side and drive or ride home. Conclusions. The flow of young binge drinkers at the Tijuana border is substantial and translates into a significant public health problem for the region as crossers use their vehicles to drive home. There are many such binge-drinking locales. However, the border is unique in that it is amenable to scientific estimations of the problem with relatively high precision.

Research paper thumbnail of A Survey of the San Diego–Tijuana Cross-Border BingingMethods and Analysis

Evaluation Review, 1999

On a typical weekend night between 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., about 4 thousand Americans 25 or you... more On a typical weekend night between 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., about 4 thousand Americans 25 or younger cross back into the United States from a night in Tijuana, Mexico, clubs. More than 40% of the drinkers return the next morning with an illegal blood-alcohol concentration (.08 or higher). To study this phenomenon and to provide data with which to evaluate the community effort in San Diego County, a border research effort involving two separate surveys of individuals entering and leaving Mexico was established in June 1997. This article briefly reviews past roadside survey studies and reports on the survey methods developed to conduct these surveys and the procedure required to analyze the data collected.

Research paper thumbnail of Defining binge drinking quantities through resulting blood alcohol concentrations

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2001

Binge drinking as a researchable construct has generally been defined as 5 or more drinks on one ... more Binge drinking as a researchable construct has generally been defined as 5 or more drinks on one occasion. However, no study has been conducted to determine whether the binge concept that implies excessive drunkenness is being optimally captured within that level. Random interviews of drinkers returning from visiting bars in Tijuana, with breath tests, provided both blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measurements and the self-reported number of drinks consumed. Results indicate that currently used definitions of binge drinking predict relatively low BACs and may not be capturing the excessive-drunkenness quality of the term. Consumption duration may explain the lower BACs.

Research paper thumbnail of Age-Based Road Test Policy Evaluation

Transportation Research Record, 1996

The per-driver accident rates of states with age-based license renewal testing were compared with... more The per-driver accident rates of states with age-based license renewal testing were compared with those of neighboring states without such testing. In states requiring age-based skill testing, tested drivers evi-denced significantly lower (7 percent) relative involvement in ...

Papers by James Lange

Research paper thumbnail of Only Sometimes Do the Best Laid Plans Go Awry: Investigating the Relationship Between Drinking Intentions and Drinking Behavior

Proceedings International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference, 2000

Episodes of binge drinking often precede incidences of drunk driving. The research described belo... more Episodes of binge drinking often precede incidences of drunk driving. The research described below examined the relationship between the drinking plans that individuals made before visiting bars and their blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) upon return. Specific focus was placed on factors that might moderate the relationship between drinking plans and behavior. Of particular interest were those who consumed more alcohol than they anticipated. Participants included 953 United States residents sampled crossing into, and returning from, bars and nightclubs in Tijuana, Mexico. Data on drinking intentions and drinking history were collected from participants as they entered Tijuana. BACs and other indicators of drinking behavior were collected upon their return. Those driving home intended to, and in fact appeared to, succeed in drinking less. Factors that significantly moderated that relationship between drinking plans and drinking behavior are discussed. Both gender and binge-drinking history were determined to be important factors in determining the correspondence between intentions and actions. For the covering abstract see ITRD E106992.

Research paper thumbnail of A Turn of the Wheel: Women's Experiences with Drinking and Driving

Proceedings International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference, 2000

Several studies have reported that drinking and driving has declined in recent years. The effect,... more Several studies have reported that drinking and driving has declined in recent years. The effect, however, may be primarily in male drivers (Popkin, 1991, 1993). Although men who die in motor vehicle crashes are almost twice as likely as women to be legally intoxicated, women are apparently drinking and driving more often, and their involvement in alcohol-related fatal crashes is increasing (CDC, 1992). Four recent random-digit dial telephone surveys were used to examine self-reported drinking-and-driving experiences (DDEs) among women aged 16 to 20. Questions posed measured alcohol consumption, knowledge, risk perception, drinking environment, and their relationship to DDEs. Although all four surveys were California samples, they varied on age and geographic restrictions. Similar results, however, were obtained from all four. For the covering abstract see ITRD E106992.

Research paper thumbnail of Alcohol related consequences and disparate outcomes in college students at a Hispanic Serving Institution

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Dec 21, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of The Sidewalk Survey

Evaluation Review, Feb 1, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Experimental Testing of the Designated Driver Concept

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND TRAFFIC SAFETY, 2002

In theory, the designated-driver concept holds great promise for reducing the incidences of drunk... more In theory, the designated-driver concept holds great promise for reducing the incidences of drunk driving. It is simple, inexpensive, almost universally recognized, and generally positively regarded by the U.S. population as a means for avoiding drunk driving. In practice, however, research has shown that implementing the designated-driver concept is often flawed. To function properly, groups of drinkers must commit to the three stages: (1) the group must designate a driver before starting to drink, (2) the designee must abstain from drinking, and (3) the designee must fulfill his or her responsibility to be the driver. Failure at any of these three stages of implementation could result in potentially impaired drivers either claiming to be the designated driver or usurping the role of the designated driver. The research described was designed to address factors that may impede proper implementation of the designated-driver concept. Six intervention trials were designed to (1) cue the use of designated drivers, (2) change the attitudes of the group, and (3) affect group norms to support the proper use of designated drivers. Results indicate that cueing alone decreased the returning BACs of drivers. Using group members to deliver prodesignated driver messages decreased driver and passenger BACs even farther. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference, see ITRD Abstract No. E201067.

Research paper thumbnail of A diary investigation of collegiate natural drinking groups: Individual & group factors, and social structure

Research paper thumbnail of Operation safe crossing: using science within a community intervention (conference presentation)

Proceedings International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference, 2000

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Defining binge drinking quantities through resulting BACs

PubMed, 2000

Binge drinking as a researchable construct has generally been defined as 5 or more drinks on one ... more Binge drinking as a researchable construct has generally been defined as 5 or more drinks on one occasion. However, no study has been conducted to determine if the binge concept that implies "excessive drunkenness" is being optimally captured within that level. Random interviews with breath tests of drinkers returning from visiting bars in Tijuana provide both blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measurements and the self-reported number of drinks consumed. Results indicate that currently used definitions of binge drinking predict relatively low BACs and may not be capturing the "excessive drunkenness" quality of the term. Consumption duration may explain the lower BACs.

Research paper thumbnail of Youth escaping limits on drinking: binging in Mexico

Research paper thumbnail of CORRESPONDENCE--Success and Failure in Social Norms Interventions

Journal of studies on alcohol, May 1, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Longitudinal Roadside Survey Design: An Evaluation of Potential Avoidance of Roadside Surveys Over Time

Roadside breath-test surveys (RBTS) were conducted on weekend nights over 4 1/2 years in three Un... more Roadside breath-test surveys (RBTS) were conducted on weekend nights over 4 1/2 years in three United States communities to detect changes in driver blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). The observed BAC declines could have stemmed from driver avoidance of the RBTS sites. Results showed declines in cars passing RBTS sites and changes in participant demographics consistent with a lower alcohol consumption population (i.e., more women, increased age, more married drivers, fewer reported drinks per drinking occasion). Through Structural Equation Modeling, it was determined that changing driver characteristics explained only part of driver BAC declines, leaving open the possibility that driver BACs actually declined.

Research paper thumbnail of Womens resistance to drinking norms Gender differences in drinking plans and driving status

Research paper thumbnail of What is a designated driver anyway?: Results of a California survey on definitions and use of designated drivers

Journal of traffic medicine, 1998

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Why People Drink and Drive: The Bases of Drinking-And-Driving Decisions. Final Report

Research paper thumbnail of Returning Drunk from Tijuana Bars: Characteristics of Binge Drinkers Crossing Into San Diego

While many within the San Diego Community assumed that the problem of young people crossing the b... more While many within the San Diego Community assumed that the problem of young people crossing the border into Tijuana to visit bars and night clubs was large, the full magnitude and consistency of binge drinking at the border had never been established scientifically. Of greatest concern is the number of those who drive home from the border after binge drinking. The purpose of this study was to identify some of the characteristics of these drinkers. May 1998 marked the end of the first year of data collection with a once-a-month breath test survey Wednesday nights between 11:00 PM and 4:00 AM, and Friday and Saturday nights between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Participants were recruited from vehicles, and pedestrians were randomly diverted from the stream of crossers heading back into the U.S. Results suggest that on average, crossing into the U.S. between 500 and 650 motorists and pedestrians planning to drive are over California's legal limit of BAC .08 each weekend night. Approximately 200 to 300 additional drivers under age 21 violate California's Zero Tolerance law at the border. The demographics of pedestrian border crossers are different from drivers. Almost 75% of returning motorists are Hispanic, while 50.5% of the pedestrians are Caucasions. There are also differences in occupational associations, with drivers far more likely to be workers (many probably commuting), while almost half of the pedestrians are U.S. students or in the military. The, the substantial DUI problem comes mainly from intoxicated pedestrian crossers returning to cars parked on the U.S. side of the border.

Research paper thumbnail of Automated screening techniques for drivers with age-related ability deficits

A computerized test of 22 visual, attentional, perceptual, cognitive and psychomotor abilities wa... more A computerized test of 22 visual, attentional, perceptual, cognitive and psychomotor abilities was administered to 261 elderly drivers age 62 and above. Approximately half of the sample had been reported to licensing agencies for incidents of unsafe performance and half were free of reported incidents. Significant relationships were found between the presence or absence of incidents and all measured abilities. Cognitive deficits evidenced the strongest association with unsafe performance, visual deficits the least, with the remaining in-between. The magnitude of relationship is presumed to be a joint function of the prevalence of a deficit and its effect upon driving. Intercorrelations among abilities generally exceeded correlations with performance, indicating the need for caution in interpreting reported relationships between individual abilities and any measure of performance, such as crashes. The authors also caution against interpreting the degree of relationship found in highly selected samples as representing the magnitude of relationship in the population at large.

Research paper thumbnail of Youth escaping limits on drinking: binging in Mexico

Addiction, 2000

Aims. In Tijuana, Mexico, a loosely enforced age-18 law and inexpensive drinks have given rise to... more Aims. In Tijuana, Mexico, a loosely enforced age-18 law and inexpensive drinks have given rise to a nightclub district frequented by thousands of young Southern Californians each weekend night. Surveys were designed to characterize the extent of the cross-border binge-drinking traffic and to support and evaluate the community’s response. Design. Over 1 year, two anonymous and voluntary breath-test surveys were done. Drivers and pedestrians were pulled randomly from the stream of northbound border crossers and recruited to participate. Setting. Surveys occurred between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. on randomly selected Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Participants were recruited within the Port of Entry building. Participants. Of the 5849 border crossers recruited, 87.4% participated in the survey. Measurements. Information was obtained through a standardized verbal interview. All participants were asked to take an alcohol breath test. Findings. On weekend nights, more than 6500 people cross back into the United States between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. after drinking or visiting a bar or restaurant. Pedestrians represent the highest concentration of drinkers, with more than 30% having BACs of 0.08 or greater. Most of these pedestrians return to parked vehicles on the US side and drive or ride home. Conclusions. The flow of young binge drinkers at the Tijuana border is substantial and translates into a significant public health problem for the region as crossers use their vehicles to drive home. There are many such binge-drinking locales. However, the border is unique in that it is amenable to scientific estimations of the problem with relatively high precision.

Research paper thumbnail of A Survey of the San Diego–Tijuana Cross-Border BingingMethods and Analysis

Evaluation Review, 1999

On a typical weekend night between 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., about 4 thousand Americans 25 or you... more On a typical weekend night between 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., about 4 thousand Americans 25 or younger cross back into the United States from a night in Tijuana, Mexico, clubs. More than 40% of the drinkers return the next morning with an illegal blood-alcohol concentration (.08 or higher). To study this phenomenon and to provide data with which to evaluate the community effort in San Diego County, a border research effort involving two separate surveys of individuals entering and leaving Mexico was established in June 1997. This article briefly reviews past roadside survey studies and reports on the survey methods developed to conduct these surveys and the procedure required to analyze the data collected.

Research paper thumbnail of Defining binge drinking quantities through resulting blood alcohol concentrations

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2001

Binge drinking as a researchable construct has generally been defined as 5 or more drinks on one ... more Binge drinking as a researchable construct has generally been defined as 5 or more drinks on one occasion. However, no study has been conducted to determine whether the binge concept that implies excessive drunkenness is being optimally captured within that level. Random interviews of drinkers returning from visiting bars in Tijuana, with breath tests, provided both blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measurements and the self-reported number of drinks consumed. Results indicate that currently used definitions of binge drinking predict relatively low BACs and may not be capturing the excessive-drunkenness quality of the term. Consumption duration may explain the lower BACs.

Research paper thumbnail of Age-Based Road Test Policy Evaluation

Transportation Research Record, 1996

The per-driver accident rates of states with age-based license renewal testing were compared with... more The per-driver accident rates of states with age-based license renewal testing were compared with those of neighboring states without such testing. In states requiring age-based skill testing, tested drivers evi-denced significantly lower (7 percent) relative involvement in ...

Research paper thumbnail of Only Sometimes Do the Best Laid Plans Go Awry: Investigating the Relationship Between Drinking Intentions and Drinking Behavior

Proceedings International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference, 2000

Episodes of binge drinking often precede incidences of drunk driving. The research described belo... more Episodes of binge drinking often precede incidences of drunk driving. The research described below examined the relationship between the drinking plans that individuals made before visiting bars and their blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) upon return. Specific focus was placed on factors that might moderate the relationship between drinking plans and behavior. Of particular interest were those who consumed more alcohol than they anticipated. Participants included 953 United States residents sampled crossing into, and returning from, bars and nightclubs in Tijuana, Mexico. Data on drinking intentions and drinking history were collected from participants as they entered Tijuana. BACs and other indicators of drinking behavior were collected upon their return. Those driving home intended to, and in fact appeared to, succeed in drinking less. Factors that significantly moderated that relationship between drinking plans and drinking behavior are discussed. Both gender and binge-drinking history were determined to be important factors in determining the correspondence between intentions and actions. For the covering abstract see ITRD E106992.

Research paper thumbnail of A Turn of the Wheel: Women's Experiences with Drinking and Driving

Proceedings International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference, 2000

Several studies have reported that drinking and driving has declined in recent years. The effect,... more Several studies have reported that drinking and driving has declined in recent years. The effect, however, may be primarily in male drivers (Popkin, 1991, 1993). Although men who die in motor vehicle crashes are almost twice as likely as women to be legally intoxicated, women are apparently drinking and driving more often, and their involvement in alcohol-related fatal crashes is increasing (CDC, 1992). Four recent random-digit dial telephone surveys were used to examine self-reported drinking-and-driving experiences (DDEs) among women aged 16 to 20. Questions posed measured alcohol consumption, knowledge, risk perception, drinking environment, and their relationship to DDEs. Although all four surveys were California samples, they varied on age and geographic restrictions. Similar results, however, were obtained from all four. For the covering abstract see ITRD E106992.

Research paper thumbnail of Alcohol related consequences and disparate outcomes in college students at a Hispanic Serving Institution

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Dec 21, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of The Sidewalk Survey

Evaluation Review, Feb 1, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Experimental Testing of the Designated Driver Concept

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND TRAFFIC SAFETY, 2002

In theory, the designated-driver concept holds great promise for reducing the incidences of drunk... more In theory, the designated-driver concept holds great promise for reducing the incidences of drunk driving. It is simple, inexpensive, almost universally recognized, and generally positively regarded by the U.S. population as a means for avoiding drunk driving. In practice, however, research has shown that implementing the designated-driver concept is often flawed. To function properly, groups of drinkers must commit to the three stages: (1) the group must designate a driver before starting to drink, (2) the designee must abstain from drinking, and (3) the designee must fulfill his or her responsibility to be the driver. Failure at any of these three stages of implementation could result in potentially impaired drivers either claiming to be the designated driver or usurping the role of the designated driver. The research described was designed to address factors that may impede proper implementation of the designated-driver concept. Six intervention trials were designed to (1) cue the use of designated drivers, (2) change the attitudes of the group, and (3) affect group norms to support the proper use of designated drivers. Results indicate that cueing alone decreased the returning BACs of drivers. Using group members to deliver prodesignated driver messages decreased driver and passenger BACs even farther. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference, see ITRD Abstract No. E201067.

Research paper thumbnail of A diary investigation of collegiate natural drinking groups: Individual & group factors, and social structure

Research paper thumbnail of Operation safe crossing: using science within a community intervention (conference presentation)

Proceedings International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference, 2000

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Defining binge drinking quantities through resulting BACs

PubMed, 2000

Binge drinking as a researchable construct has generally been defined as 5 or more drinks on one ... more Binge drinking as a researchable construct has generally been defined as 5 or more drinks on one occasion. However, no study has been conducted to determine if the binge concept that implies "excessive drunkenness" is being optimally captured within that level. Random interviews with breath tests of drinkers returning from visiting bars in Tijuana provide both blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measurements and the self-reported number of drinks consumed. Results indicate that currently used definitions of binge drinking predict relatively low BACs and may not be capturing the "excessive drunkenness" quality of the term. Consumption duration may explain the lower BACs.

Research paper thumbnail of Youth escaping limits on drinking: binging in Mexico

Research paper thumbnail of CORRESPONDENCE--Success and Failure in Social Norms Interventions

Journal of studies on alcohol, May 1, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Longitudinal Roadside Survey Design: An Evaluation of Potential Avoidance of Roadside Surveys Over Time

Roadside breath-test surveys (RBTS) were conducted on weekend nights over 4 1/2 years in three Un... more Roadside breath-test surveys (RBTS) were conducted on weekend nights over 4 1/2 years in three United States communities to detect changes in driver blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). The observed BAC declines could have stemmed from driver avoidance of the RBTS sites. Results showed declines in cars passing RBTS sites and changes in participant demographics consistent with a lower alcohol consumption population (i.e., more women, increased age, more married drivers, fewer reported drinks per drinking occasion). Through Structural Equation Modeling, it was determined that changing driver characteristics explained only part of driver BAC declines, leaving open the possibility that driver BACs actually declined.

Research paper thumbnail of Womens resistance to drinking norms Gender differences in drinking plans and driving status

Research paper thumbnail of What is a designated driver anyway?: Results of a California survey on definitions and use of designated drivers

Journal of traffic medicine, 1998

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Why People Drink and Drive: The Bases of Drinking-And-Driving Decisions. Final Report

Research paper thumbnail of Returning Drunk from Tijuana Bars: Characteristics of Binge Drinkers Crossing Into San Diego

While many within the San Diego Community assumed that the problem of young people crossing the b... more While many within the San Diego Community assumed that the problem of young people crossing the border into Tijuana to visit bars and night clubs was large, the full magnitude and consistency of binge drinking at the border had never been established scientifically. Of greatest concern is the number of those who drive home from the border after binge drinking. The purpose of this study was to identify some of the characteristics of these drinkers. May 1998 marked the end of the first year of data collection with a once-a-month breath test survey Wednesday nights between 11:00 PM and 4:00 AM, and Friday and Saturday nights between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Participants were recruited from vehicles, and pedestrians were randomly diverted from the stream of crossers heading back into the U.S. Results suggest that on average, crossing into the U.S. between 500 and 650 motorists and pedestrians planning to drive are over California's legal limit of BAC .08 each weekend night. Approximately 200 to 300 additional drivers under age 21 violate California's Zero Tolerance law at the border. The demographics of pedestrian border crossers are different from drivers. Almost 75% of returning motorists are Hispanic, while 50.5% of the pedestrians are Caucasions. There are also differences in occupational associations, with drivers far more likely to be workers (many probably commuting), while almost half of the pedestrians are U.S. students or in the military. The, the substantial DUI problem comes mainly from intoxicated pedestrian crossers returning to cars parked on the U.S. side of the border.

Research paper thumbnail of Automated screening techniques for drivers with age-related ability deficits

A computerized test of 22 visual, attentional, perceptual, cognitive and psychomotor abilities wa... more A computerized test of 22 visual, attentional, perceptual, cognitive and psychomotor abilities was administered to 261 elderly drivers age 62 and above. Approximately half of the sample had been reported to licensing agencies for incidents of unsafe performance and half were free of reported incidents. Significant relationships were found between the presence or absence of incidents and all measured abilities. Cognitive deficits evidenced the strongest association with unsafe performance, visual deficits the least, with the remaining in-between. The magnitude of relationship is presumed to be a joint function of the prevalence of a deficit and its effect upon driving. Intercorrelations among abilities generally exceeded correlations with performance, indicating the need for caution in interpreting reported relationships between individual abilities and any measure of performance, such as crashes. The authors also caution against interpreting the degree of relationship found in highly selected samples as representing the magnitude of relationship in the population at large.

Research paper thumbnail of Why People Drink and Drive: The Bases of Drinking-and-Driving Decisions

Research paper thumbnail of Drunk Driving

Encyclopedia of Social Problems

Research paper thumbnail of The Bases of Decisions Leading to Alcohol Impaired Driving

Using a critical incidents approach, 600 drivers were called upon to identify the bases of decisi... more Using a critical incidents approach, 600 drivers were called upon to identify the bases of decisions to drink and drive. In an unstructured interview, each driver described the bases for decisions leading to specific instances of impaired driving, including decisions regarding participation in drinking events, transportation to events, plans prior to and following initiation of drinking, activities while drinking, leaving the drinking event, and transportation following drinking. Over 12,000 individual decision bases were described. While the bases were highly specific to the individual decisions, those involving the social environment exerted the strongest influence, followed by influences of a personal nature, the occasion giving rise to drinking, economic considerations, plans already made, and usual patterns of behaviour. Results showed that the likelihood of alcohol impaired driving is largely determined by decisions made well in advance of the act itself. (a) For the record of...

Research paper thumbnail of Environmental Predictors of Heavy Episodic Drinking

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 2001

This study examined the relationship between environmental characteristics and heavy episodic dri... more This study examined the relationship between environmental characteristics and heavy episodic drinking by examining college students' last drinking events. For this study, 409 undergraduate students attending a large public university were randomly selected. Students were asked to report on their last drinking event within the 30-day period prior to being surveyed. There were 274 drinking events analyzed. Bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify contextual factors predictive of heavy episodic drinking in specific drinking events. Drinking with friends, drinking beer and hard liquor, and having many people intoxicated at an event were predictive of heavy episodic drinking events. Dating events were protective of heavy episodic drinking. Implications for future research and prevention are discussed.