Drinking Alcohol In College and Universities
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among American youth. Going to college means the young adults begin to make their own choices without their parents around, consequences are non-existent. College is a time for personal experimentation in different areas of behavior. Many more youths try alcohol when compared to cigarettes, and most start drinking at a very young age.
More than half of the college students consume alcohol through binge drinking. Binge drinking is a way of drinking alcohol to bring the blood alcohol concentration above 0.08 percent. Two out of every five students have engaged in binge drinking once in the last two weeks. On average, college students drink less frequently than their non-college peers and drink more heavily.
Consequences
Death
Every year, 1,825 students between the age 18 and 24 die from unintentional alcohol injuries such as car crashes.
Assault
Every year, nearly 696,000 students are victims of fellow students that have been drinking.
Sexual Abuse
Close to 97,000 students are victims of alcohol-related date rape or sexual assault.
Unsafe Sex
Each year 400000 students practice unsafe sex, with a quarter being too intoxicated to know if they consented to have sex in the first place.
Alcohol Dependence
19% of college students meet the criteria of alcohol dependence, but only 5% seek treatment.
Prevention Strategies
Based on the harm from binge drinking, it is essential to look at popular preventative measures. Below are some practical steps colleges and universities can take to reduce drinking among students.
- Creating a healthy environment
Environmental factors on-campus play an essential role in influencing the drinking of students. They can enforce the age 21 laws within the campus. Conduct interventions to correct the misconceptions and change drinking habits as well. Be cautious in making alcohol available on campus since availability increases consumption.
- Use individual and group-focused approaches to promote healthy behaviors.
Conduct brief motivational interventions by teaching alcohol reduction skills to students. Train those who regularly interact with students to identify potential problems and provide intervention. Give educational interventions to give students new information like the drinking and driving laws.
- Challenge the students’ understanding of alcohol’s effects
Many college students drink alcohol because they believe it makes them more socially and sexually desirable. It has the opposite effect. Many students reduce or even stop taking alcohol. Informing students about the adverse effects of alcohol has on their bodies can help them make more informed decisions regarding alcohol consumption. By understanding what excessive alcohol intake does to their bodies, they can choose to limit the amount they drink or stop drinking.
- Restriction on bars
On top of enforcing an age limit, colleges should set some restrictions on bars. Studies have shown that alcohol-related incidences are more common in an area where drinking specials. In this light, they should limit the proximity of liquor stores and bars close to campus and each other.
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