Who knew so many police and security officers spent their hours at Oregon State University football games in search of Beavers fans toting alcohol into the game?

As noted in a front-page story in Monday's edition, more than 100 officers are typically on duty during game day. Granted, not all of them are in search of people taking a sip where they shouldn't. Simply assuring that all remains calm among the thousands attending the game is a tall enough order.

Nevertheless, it seems a sad reflection of our society first of all that so many associate such events with a need to get a "buzz," whether by partying to excess in the parking lot and other locations outside the stadium, or feeling the need to sneak alcohol into the game so they can continue their party.

Consequently, police agencies and the university have to respond by heightening security staff and employing measures such as video surveillance of the fans in the stands. Sounds kind of Orwellian to us.

One woman who got busted and ejected from the game called the whole situation "extreme." Had she known her behavior would be under such scrutiny, she said, she would have left the alcohol outside.

That's the message for all of us who enjoy attending not just OSU football games but a variety of sporting events - leave the alcohol at home. (We'll take on the mixed message of serving alcohol only to high rollers in the expensive seats another time.)

Too often, alcohol use surrounding sporting events plays a role in stories that make their way into other sections of the newspaper, namely, the Crime Watch. And then there's more tragic incidents such as the death of teenager Lance Strickland, who was found dead in an OSU dorm room after excessive alcohol consumption. (The high schooler was visiting friends associated with the football team.)

As noted along with Sunday's story about Strickland, about 1,400 college students die each year from unintentional alcohol-related injuries, including motor vehicle crashes; 500,000 young people are accidentally injured while under the influence of alcohol; more than 600,000 students are assaulted by other students who are under the influence; and more than 70,000 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.

That all adds up to a lot of misery, waste and expense.