Editorial

Binge Drinking has become a problem for our country but primarily for college students. Binge drinking is defined as consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time, and is mostly seen in college environments. CPSI Center for Science in the Public Interest, reported that 7.2 million out of 10.2 million persons ages 12-20 were binge drinkers. Also they reported that 44% of college students at a four year college drink at the binge level or higher.
I think this is a growing problem, because of the health effects and effects on school performance. Students that binge drink are 21 times more likely to fall behind school work, miss class, engage in vandalism, be injured, not use protection while having sex, and drive after drinking. I think that drinking is not a problem as long as there responsibility in it. Someone will always have “a few too many”, but when the goal is to become quickly intoxicated despite the consequences, that becomes dangerous. It not only is harmful to the drinker, but other people. Drinking in college is considered fun, but being intoxicated to the point where decision making is gone, isn’t fun for anyone. It is estimated that 159,000 of today's first year college students will drop out of school next year for alcohol or drug related reasons. Because of their drinking they will not be able to get college level education. With these consequences students should drink more responsibly, but they have their reasons. Students think it is an ultimate release from responsibility, that they like the feeling of being drunk, and that it is an accepted culture on campus. To decrease binge drinking, there needs to be more intervention programs, limiting the number of retail alcohol outlets that sell alcohol in a given area and by increasing beverage costs and excise taxes. The average college student spends $956 a year on binge drinking. By decreasing binge drinking, not only would it save student’s money but save lives.
But the ultimate solution is the students choosing not to binge drink. By not binge drinking and instead drinking responsibly they will not endanger the lives and careers of themselves and other students.