West Virginia Universitys Ruth Kershner has a sobering thought for students who plan on steering themselves in the direction of the regions bars and nightclubs this weekend.

The more you drink, says Kershner, an outreach specialist in WVU s Department of Community Medicine, the more likely youll be to get into trouble.

And thats just the numbers talking, she said.

According to those numbers culled by the Centers for Disease Control, more than 70,000 sexual assaults a year happen in the 18-24 age group, all fueled by alcohol.

More than half-a-million other assaults are committed annually, the CDC reports, again with alcohol as the mitigating factor.

In 2005, the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration chronicled nearly 3,000 fatal car crashes involving alcohol and drivers aged 16-20.

You have to be aware,Kershner said.When youre aware, youre in control. And when youre in control, youre less inclined to get in situations where youll get yourself into trouble.

It also helps to have a guardian angel, too, which is the role the students she advises in WVU s Community Medicine Student Association will take Saturday night (Aug. 26) on High Street, a main social artery for students in downtown Morgantown.

From 10 p.m.-1 a.m., students will hand out information on the dangers of binge drinking (consuming more than five drinks in a row) and distributeGuardian Angeltest strips that give an approximate reading of ones blood alcohol content.

We dont want to wreck anyones good time,Kershner said,but its not going to be much fun if you get hurt, or you hurt someone elseor worsebecause of alcohol. The idea is to keep everyone safe, here.