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"Local college freshman are about to enter \"the Red Zone.\"It's the first few weeks of college, when students are at the highest risk of falling victim to sexual assault.University of New Mexico sophomore Heather Byrne said she always brings a friend when she goes to parties.\"Because if they're not people you know, or trust, that's when things start happening,\" Byrne said.She's talking about sexual assault. The problem is, most incoming students don't really know the guys and girls around them. That's why colleges refer to the first months of freshman year as 'the Red Zone.'\"For quite a while now, we've recognized the period of time from arriving back at campus and Thanksgiving -- those are the peak risk,\" said John Steiner, program manager of UNM Campus Office of Substance Abuse Prevention.Steiner said all college advisors will talk to freshman about sexual assault during orientation.Some advice he's offering students and parents includes:Friends should make a pact to go to parties together and leave togetherKeep an eye on your drink at all timesHold your child accountable when it comes to drinking and doing drugs\"If you're not drinking and your friends are, you can be there for them,\" said Byrne.She says in her experience, looking out for one another is the best way to steer clear of 'the Red Zone.'\u00A0"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.koat.com/article/college-freshman-about-to-enter-the-red-zone/5058344>