UC Davis will draw on interest generated at a community forum to establish three committees aimed at reducing high-risk drinking on campus and in the surrounding community. The committees will suggest ways the campus and community can work together on alcohol-related issues, recommend campus and community policies, and propose educational initiatives. About 20 individuals from the Davis community have volunteered to serve on the committees. "There is genuine interest in the community for trying to make a difference," says Michelle Famula, director of the UC Davis student health center. UC Davis organized the May 9 community forum in response to the alcohol-related death of senior David Thornton. The biological sciences student died early April 4 after a night of drinking to celebrate his 21st birthday. Famula, who is helping coordinate campus efforts to reduce high-risk drinking, says the committees might consider ideas that range from encouraging changes in the way drinking establishments advertise to better coordinating referrals for treatment and holding programs about the dangers of alcohol abuse at the university, high school and in the community. Famula says the campus also will invite students to participate in a roundtable discussion on how best to discourage high-risk drinking among their peers. And working with Yolo County officials and Asemblywoman Helen Thomson, D-Davis, the university proposes to identify resources for helping individuals who have drinking problems.