It would be easy to conclude from the recent study on student alcohol consumption - which says drinking continues unabated at Chico State University - that carefully planned, local efforts to stem the problem have failed.

It's discouraging to this community and probably the university to hear that all of its efforts to curb drinking haven't made much of an impact.

Recent studies on campus have shown many students continue to partake of alcohol often and in excess.

The "half-empty," pessimistic outlook might lead some to throw up their hands and say "It's just not working" and quit trying.

Now for the "half-full" take on the situation: Localized efforts to rattle brains about the dangers of drinking may be making a difference. The fact that fewer freshmen had taken a drink on the day the survey was taken compared to the previous year is a small victory worth considering.

Let's be realistic. College is the place where young people expand their vistas and conduct their lifestyle as they want, not as mom or dad have dictated for years.

College students are encouraged to try new things as part of the maturing process, and if drinking hasn't been a part of their early years, college can be the time to experiment.

Like the anti-smoking campaign that health officials have propelled, changing habits or making sure they don't start takes years - maybe even generations.

Considering Chico's drinking effort is only a couple of years old, good headway has been made in a relatively short time. Pushed to the wall, schools and the community are united in their determination like never before.

No one expects alcohol to disappear, but as a destructive element of this community, its use and visibility needs to shrink dramatically.

Last year was a good start.

Publicity before Halloween about this city's intended showing of force achieved the desired results: fewer and more controlled revelers.

We are among those hoping that this coming Halloween will be even quieter, and we urge the educational community and the city to repeat last year's preparations.

Our hats continue to be doffed to those downtown bars that revamped their operations for Halloween and other imbibing holidays. We hope this trend increases. If bars can do it, perhaps liquor stores could try it as well, in the spirit of community good.

It's also worthwhile to hope that parents, especially of freshmen, recommit to encourage their children during the school year to make good choices.

We all have a vested interest in bringing Chico back to center. There's nothing wrong with celebrating. There's plenty wrong with going overboard.

Let's view this latest information about campus drinking for what it is - a check up to see how we're doing. It's hardly a reason to give up or change direction.

Labor Day, with its unchecked imbibing on the river, is right around the corner. We hope this holiday is another good litmus test for our progress.