Strategies for Stopping Underage and Binge Drinking on College Campuses
As the end of summer approaches, colleges across the country are gearing up for the start of a new semester. With the start of every new year brings the reminder that binge drinking and heavy drinking can be a real problem for college students. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH): “58 percent of full-time college students ages 18-22 drank alcohol in the past month compared with 48.2 percent of other persons of the same age.” According to the same survey, heavy drinking and binge drinking is also more prevalent amongst college students compared to other persons of the same age.
Heavy alcohol consumption amongst college students can have devastating consequences. According to CollegeDrinkingPrevention.gov an estimated “1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor-vehicle crashes.” In addition, drinking may play a role in:
- Overall academic problems
- Assaults on college campuses
- Missing classes
- Lower grades
Preventing college drinking is not an easy task. Many students report a pressure to engage in risky drinking behaviors. Most research indicates that the most successful prevention begins with an effort to change the drinking culture that is often promoted on campuses. College administrators, parents and students must all take an active role in “changing the culture of drinking at U.S. colleges.” Many state and federal organizations have launched campaigns to help promote healthy habits at college campuses. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) aids colleges and universities on planning alcohol interventions using CollegeAIM – an alcohol intervention matrix.