More steps are needed to curb students’ binge drinking

Some college traditions are ageless, like eating pizza at midnight and pulling allnighters before a big test. But recent national reports about other “traditions” — guzzling cold beer with friends or getting so drunk you can barely find your dorm room — are being seriously examined for the longterm damage they cause to drinkers and nondrinkers alike.

Despite increased public awareness about the strong relationship between substance abuse and other social problems such as fatal car crashes, increased risk of HIV infection and date rape, students continue to binge drink.

Today, nearly half of all college students drink at least four or five drinks at one time, according to the results of a study on binge drinking published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Over two out of every five college students are binge drinkers. Each year college students spend $5.5 billion on alcohol (mostly beer). This is more than they spend on books, soda, coffee, juice and milk combined.

While many students do not see the harm in having a few beers, the risk of excessive alcohol consumption involves more than just a hangover the next day.

Studies show that alcohol is a factor in 66 percent of student suicides and 60 percent of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. More than 30 percent of unplanned pregnancies occur while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. One out of every four student deaths is related to alcohol use. Many studentswho drink heavily have problems keeping up with their school work. Studies show that 41 percent of all academic problems stem from alcohol abuse.

In addition, students who do not drink are affected by their classmates who do. Studies show that 67 percent of college men who sexually assaulted women had been drinking and 50 percent of the victims had also been drinking. Students at schools with high levels of binge drinking are three times more likely to be pushed, hit or sexually assaulted by drunken peers than are students at schools with less drinking.

At campuses across the country, there is a growing movement of students who are taking charge by deciding to stay sober. Many colleges have responded by implementing strong alcohol policies to keep drinking to a minimum. Some have also designated alcohol free dorms and made alcohol-free events a high priority.

It is also crucial that college administrators work with local communities to come up with underage drinking laws to keep students safe and healthy. If we all work together to deglamorize college drinking and provide alternative activities, we can make each school year safer than the one before.
Lisa Harmon Mollicone
Coordinator for Prevention
of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Manalapan-Englishtown