FREE ESSAY ON ALCOHOL ON COLLEGE CAMPUS'S

ALCOHOL ON COLLEGE CAMPUS'S

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