Alcohol and the College Campus

A Look at Drinking Statistics at Universities Across the Country

According to a study reported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 38% of college students engage in binge drinking in the past month.  Alcohol contributes to over 1500 student deaths each year and is a factor in the estimated 97,000 cases of sexual assaults or rapes that occur every year.  The statistics are shocking and devastating.  Alcohol consumption, particularly in heavy quantities can have deadly consequences.

College and drinking seem to go hand-in-hand for some students.  College life may be the first time that some students are living on their own, without supervision.  Most campuses are relatively lax when it comes to underage drinking.  Society has a “kids will be kids” attitude for the most part.  Eliminating alcohol on college campuses may not be entirely possible.  Even if a campus is “dry” students have been known to sneak alcohol in to dormitories.  Researchers agree that the best way to prevent serious accidents or even deaths is through education.

College is an opportunity to make choices, both healthy and unhealthy ones.  Parents and administrators should be advocates for young minds at our colleges and universities.  According to the NIAA parents who talk with their students about the adverse effects of alcohol and the real-life consequences associated with overconsumption often have less chances of their student abusing alcohol.  Campuses should provide drug-and-alcohol free alternatives, promoting healthy choices where alcohol use is frowned upon or forbidden.  Resources should be provided to all students, particularly at the start of the fall semester including what to do if a friend has had too much to drink and needs emergency services.  The more informed a student is, the more likely they will make responsible choices when it comes to alcohol.  Stay involved, report signs of trouble and ask questions.