Essay, Research Paper: Alcohol In College


“Alcohol and drugs come hand in hand with attending college”, this
statement is thought to be truthful when talking about college or
universities. One of the reasons we think this statement is true is because
as a college student you are given certain “gifts”. Freedom is one of the
many “gifts” that are given to a college student. I call it a “gift” because it’s
a privilege given to a student while attending college. The student does not
have anyone to tell them what to do, what time to be home, whether or not
to go to class and so on. With freedom you are forced to face certain
situations and one of them is drinking, and taking drugs while at school.
The student is forced to choose between the academic life and the social
life. The best predictor of a level of substance use is peer pressure. The
student usually uses substances to cheer up, to forget problems, to
socialize, to relive tension and to “combat” boredom.
The reason this becomes an attention to authorities of colleges and
universities is students driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
destruction of poverty, fighting, disturbance of the peace, overdoses,
suicide attempts, reports of rape, and academic problems. A study found
that 45% of students who were sexually active while under the influence of
a substance might not have done so if sober. Over 20% of these
intercourses are done unprotected. Eight-five percent of college students
drink beverage alcohol compared with 70% of the general population. Heavy
drinkers range between 21 and 27% of the college population. Studies are
shown that 55% of undergraduates have driven after drinking and 41% have
driven knowing that they were not capable. Of these students 20% go to
class under the influence and 25% just did not show up to class. 64% of
fraternity and sorority, house undergraduates drink in heavy manner. The
rise of marijuana in college has gone up tremendously about 30% in the
recent years. Alcohol is still the one that is used more often in college.
“The processes of individuation, emotional development, socialization, and
group membership appear to be significantly stabilized by the use of drugs
and alcohol in college”, states Harry Duran.


Word Count: 373