Alcohol On College Campus’s Essay, Research Paper

Alcohol On College Campus’s

Alcohol is a huge problem on most college campus’s. Twenty one may be the legal drinking age, but some how minors find a way to get a hold of alcohol. People as young as fifteen are able to get their hands on an alcoholic beverage. Alcohol is said to be the chosen drug among college students. College students have a tendency to drink more then the general population.

It is said that college students spend approximately $4.2 billion annually an alcohol. This money is spent on 430 gallons of alcoholic beverages, and 4 million cans of beer. The type of college, geographical location, the ethnic and gender makeup plays a role in the amount of drinking that occurs on campus. For example colleges with fraternities and sororities have higher statistics, this is because of their sponsored parties. They drink more often, which contributes to heavier drinking. Studies show that college students drink more when they are in a group, which speaks to peer influences.

When it comes to drinking on campus there is no legal age so to speak. When someone goes to a party they don’t get carded, they get a cup. Studies show that students between the ages of 18-21 drink more then those that are over 21. Statistics show that the younger the person the more he or she drinks. Forty one percent of college students report to binge drinking, and nearly four percent drink daily. Binge drinking is defined as four drinks for a women in one sitting, and five drinks for a male in one sitting. Students that binge drinker have even more problems then students who don’t. Binge drinkers are more likely to have hangovers and engage themselves in unplanned sexual activity.

There are endless consequences that come with drinking. A range of problems occur due to alcohol consumption. The most popular problem that occurs with drinking is academic problems, others include things such as trauma, date rape, recklessness, vandalism and pregnancy in women. In a recent study 56,000 college students reported a slip in their grades. Students went from an A to D’s and F’s, their GPA’s dropped which will effects their future career plans as well as any scholarships they are receiving.

There are many organizations that are trying to reduce these terrible statistics. Two for instance are MADD and SADD. These such organizations help to raise awareness about alcohol and all it’s dangers. Colleges have even devised plans to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed on their campus’s. A college should provide students with alternate activities, in order to prevent then from drinking. Campus facilities should remain open, and college’s should expand their recreational activities on nights and weekends. Many college’s have strict rules and regulation concerning alcohol. Here are some more ways that college’s are trying to prevent and reduce alcohol problems.

First, they enforce their rules and regulations. Failure to abide by these rules will result in a fine, probation, community service, or even suspension in the severe cases. Secondly, they reduce availability by banning beer, and parties on campus. Thirdly, college’s have been banning advertising alcoholic beverages in school newspapers and throughout the campus. Most colleges feel that advertisement has a big influence on students. It not only puts the idea in their head, but it also advertise’s cheap beer. If students knows that a certain beer is cheap that will give then an incentive to go out and buy the beer. Another way that colleges are trying to reduce the alcohol consumption is buy counseling. Buy constantly reinforcing the dangers of drinking, college’s hope that students will listen and stop drinking.

I decided to interview one of my teachers, in order to get her opinion about alcohol on college campus’s. She has a son that is presently looking for a college. I was curious to see how she felt about sending her son away to a college, with all the talk about alcohol on campus’s. After talking with my teacher I realized that every parent is worried about the amount of alcohol on college campus’s. She said that she was “very nervous” and “worried” about the amount of alcohol on college campus’s. She also said that she feels “confident that her son will make responsible decisions while in college”. Parents often talk to their children about drugs and alcohol, and my professor has already had a “discussion” with her so. I feel that parents do have their child’s best interest in mind. Parents are not dumb they know what goes on at college. Most parents are prepared for the stories and the “talks”.

My feelings on drinking has greatly changed after attending college. In high school, I used to party all the time. The parties in high school were nothing like the one’s at college. Now I know why everyone says that you haven’t been to a party, until you’ve been to a college party. I never witnessed binge drinking until I came to college. I have no problem with partying. Sure I like to drink, once in a while, but not everyday. Here on campus the parties start on Wednesday, and go until Saturday. Even before Wednesday people are talking about drinking and which house is having the party. I feel that drinking in college get extremely out of control.

In the three months that I have been here, I have heard, and saw some scary things. One girl in my dorm almost got rapped because a guy was too drunk. Another girl in my dorm lost her virginity to a guy she didn’t know, because they were both so hammered. Alcohol is not only a dangerous drug, but it also can make or break you. The girl that lost her virginity now has a horrible rep, and no one wants to be seen with her. I know so many people that have messed around with guys because they were drunk. I don’t know about you but I don’t think I could mess around with a guy that I don’t know, and on top of that hardly remember what happened.

Alcohol is an extremely addictive and dangerous. There are some many college students that have either ruined their rep or gotten kicked out of school because of alcohol. Honestly does stumbling, vomiting, and basically looking like a fool sound fun, I don’t think so. If you are going to drink, at least have control, drink in moderation and be careful. I know that when I drink I never leave my friends, nor do I drink too much, because I have people that watch out for me. “Getting drunk doesn’t need to be a rite of passage, and hangovers aren’t a prerequisite for graduation” (Shalala).

Work Cited

Shalala, Donna, E. College Students and Drinking. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (No 29). July 1995