Each year, drinking affects college students, as well as college communities, and families. The consequences of drinking include:
- Death: 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries.
- Assault: More than 690,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.
- Sexual Abuse: More than 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
- Injury: 599,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 receive unintentional injuries while under the influence of alcohol.
- Academic Problems: About 25 percent of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall.
- Health Problems/Suicide Attempts: More than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem and between 1.2 and 1.5 percent of students indicate that they tried to commit suicide within the past year due to drinking or drug use
– National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Campuses are required to remain drug free under existing federal law and regulations. Under federal rules (34 CFR Part 86) each Institution of Higher Education (IHE) must adopt and implement a drug prevention program which must include, among other things, standards of conduct that “clearly prohibit, at a minimum the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of any of its activities.” (Sec. 86.100)
Failure to adhere to these rules would make an IHE ineligible for funds or financial assistance from any Federal Program (Sec. 86.5)
The consequences of drug use, excessive and underage drinking affects virtually all college campuses, college communities and college students, whether they choose to drink or not.
The “Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act”, Public Law 101-226, requires that our University implements a program to prevent unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. In part, the law requires that all students and employees annually receive a description of University policies and possible sanctions for violation of drug and alcohol laws, possible health risks associated with use of drugs or alcohol, and counseling or rehabilitation services available to you.
https://www.clarkson.edu/campus-safety
Please take the opportunity to reflect on potential problems associated with drug use. Consider, in particular, alcohol, its role in our lives, and its possible negative impacts.