A panel discussion and documentary screening about alcohol fatalities will take place from 7 to 9 tonight at the Kansas Union.

Laura Green, executive director of the Drug Policy Forum of Kansas, said she was compelled to organize an event in direct response to the death of Jason Wren, a 19-year-old Littleton, Colo., freshman who was found dead in his fraternity on March 8.

“No one was holding a discussion,” Green said. “We need to get together as a community and discuss what we’re doing and what we can do on our campus. It’s a community issue.”

Her concern that the issue would go overlooked during National Alcohol Awareness Month prompted her and other members of the forum to organize a diverse panel of people to discuss the causes of alcohol fatalities and possible preventative measures.

The discussion will follow the 30-minute documentary “Death by Alcohol: The Sam Spady Story.” Sam Spady, a 19-year-old Colorado State University student, died from alcohol poisoning in September 2004.

Mason Tvert, executive director of Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER, will be one of four panelists during tonight’s discussion. SAFER is a non-profit organization based in Denver. Tvert said he suggested the documentary be shown because it conveyed the severity of alcohol abuse.

Tvert will also be on campus this afternoon to meet with students and discuss the effects of marijuana as a less-harmful substance in comparison with alcohol. He will be on Wescoe Beach at 1 p.m.

“Universities need to reduce the desire to binge drink,” Tvert said.

He said he believed marijuana should become more tolerated on college campuses to reduce alcohol fatalities.

Kimber Richter, associate professor of preventative medicine, Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success, and Phil Bradley, representative of hospitality industry will also be panelists. Phil Minkin, past-president of the Douglas County American Civil Liberties Union, will moderate the discussion.