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A study in 2001 of USA College binge drinking indicated ‘”29 percent of college students have driven a car while under the influence of alcohol’” (Windel). A separate study was performed and the results were that ‘”2.1 million students between the ages of 18 and 24 drove a vehicle under the influence of alcohol’”(USA.gov). These two studies show college drinking and driving is an issue. The 1995 Centers for Disease Control and prevention National College Risk Behavior Survey reported that ‘”39.9% of college students between the ages of 18-24 rode with a drunk driver in the past month’” (Beck).
‘”Statistics: Consequences a night of Drinking Among College Students in 2001’’’
- Had a hangover 64.5%
- Became nauseated or vomited 55.5%
- Did something they later regretted 40.5%
- Missed a class 34.1%
- Drove a car while under the influence 29.0%
- Got into a fight or argument 31.8%
- Were criticized by someone they know 32.3%
- Performed poorly on a test/other project 24.4%
- Had trouble with police or other authorities 16.5%
‘”The racial ethnic groups that Binge drinking on college campuses are as follows:’’’ ‘’Caucasians binge drink the most followed by Hispanics and African Americans.”
The findings regarding gender differences indicate that as many females as males are consuming alcohol. However, males are shown to have more of a problem with bad drinking, such as binge drinking and everyday drinking.
‘”Over 40% of college students binge drink (5 drinks in a row for men and 4 for women).’’’ College students that binge drink also have many disruptions, such as missing class because of a hangover or not getting enough sleep the night before, not studying for a test, and because alcohol affects one's judgment the person may get into an altercation with someone else.
A study done of the campus of University of North Carolina at Wilmington suggests that men binge drink to feel “macho” and women binge drink to try to feel equal to men.
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Prevention
Drinking learner permits
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Drinking learner permits have been proposed as a way to reduce alcohol abuse among young adults. Proponents argue that learner's permits would be analogous to driving learner permits. A person who wishes to obtain a driver's license must first acquire a learner's permit. This requires that the person pass a written test of driving knowledge and then pass a test of driving ability by successfully operating a motor vehicle. Issuance of the learner's permit then allows the driver to operate a vehicle under the oversight of an older driver and the permit holder is restricted to driving only during certain hours and under a number of other restrictions designed to help the person learn to drive safely.
Proponents of alcoholic beverage drinking learner permits argue that they should be available to adults age 18 to 21 with parental or guardian permission after successfully completing an alcohol education course and written tests. The permit would restrict the locations, times, and amounts of alcohol that could legally be consumed. The permit could be revoked immediately at any time by the parents or guardians or any law enforcement officer. [1] Opponents of drinking learner permits argue that persons under the age of 21 should not be permitted to drink any amount of alcohol for any reason, including religious, because they believe their brains lack the necessary physiological development.[2] Proponents emphasize that the applicability of this research to light and moderate drinking is speculative because it is based on rats and young people who are serious alcohol abusers who are typically in treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. It also fails to address the fact that Jews, Italians, Greeks, Spaniards, Portuguese and many others typically drink from an early age without any reported cognitive impairment.
Opponents also argue that adults age 18, 19 and 20 lack the maturity to make informed decisions about drinking. Proponents emphasize that citizens are legally adults at the age of 18.
The organization Choose Responsibility actively promotes drinking learner permits.
References
- ^ Choose Responsibility, drinking age, John McCardell, Middlebury, Changing the culture of Young Adult Drinking in America Choose Responsibility
- ^ National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol Alert: Underage Drinking - A Major Public Health Challenge, Alcohol Alert #59, April, 2003.
Sources
- Brake, Mike. Needed: A license to drink. Newsweek, March 14, 1994.
- Gavin, Courtney Love. A learner's permit for drinking. Morgan Hill Times, February 6, 2004.
- Heath, Dwight B., and Hanson, David J. The misguided prohibition that governs U.S. colleges. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2001 (August 10), 47(48), p. B14.
External links
- Rethinking Drinking, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Get Your Sexy Back (moderate drinking campaign, Singapore)
- Recovery REALM, Online Addiction Recovery Community featuring 12 step meetings
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