Alcohol and Drugs: A College Staple

By Rob W. Mason

From the downtown bar scene to fraternity and sorority parties, it’s evident that alcohol and drugs play a large role in the lives of many college students in America today. Some may have an occasional drink or two on the weekend and perhaps smoke a joint once in awhile, while others finish off a case of beer, an eighth of marijuana or an 8-ball of cocaine on a nightly basis. Either way, drugs have become synonymous with college life.

“I recently came across a study that found almost half of all college students in the United States abuse drugs or alcohol at least once every month,” Sherrie Gillette, Director of Clinton County Addiction Services, said. “That’s nearly 3 million students across this country using illegal drugs or binge drinking on a regular basis. Those numbers are really quite alarming”

While the percentage of students who abuse drugs and alcohol is very high, it doesn’t seem to shock many students when they find out. “I’m actually surprised the numbers aren’t higher,” Plattsburgh State senior Ross McCallister said. “Drugs and alcohol are everywhere across campus; especially alcohol. I can’t think of a single person off the top of my head that I know here who doesn’t drink.”

Statistics compiled by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse seem to back-up McCallister’s statement. According to NCASA, alcohol is the favored substance of abuse on college campuses by far. They do state, however, that marijuana and prescription drug use has dramatically increased since the mid-’90s.
When speaking with students on campus, the number one response as to why they use drugs or alcohol was simply, “to have a good time.” When asked whether or not they worried about repercussions or consequences that might come about from their substance abuse most said it never really crosses their mind.

“When you’re out on a Saturday night boozing it up and having a good time with your friends, what ‘might’ happen is usually not something you’re thinking about,” said McCallister.”

What might happen from abusing alcohol and drugs usually isn’t at the forefront of the users thoughts, but perhaps it should be. According to Plattsburgh State University Police Officer Jon Bombard, “Somewhere around 80% of all arrests that we make on campus involve drugs or alcohol in one way or another.”

Alcohol and other mind altering substances are a part of everyday life on college campuses, and most likely always will be. The use of alcohol and drugs is often followed by negative lingering effects on students, the schools, and the community in general. “Students are using these substances and not worrying about the consequences,” Gillette said. “We need to educate them on the risks of engaging in these behaviors so hopefully they will be able to make smarter decisions which will benefit everyone in the end.”