Binge Drinking In Colleges
A study conducted by researchers at Harvard
University found that binge drinking
continues to be a widespread problem
among U.S. colleges, Reuters reported Sept.
10. In particular, the report
identified binge drinking among fraternity and
sorority students as a major
concern. The study, led by Harvard School of Public
Health professor Henry
Wechsler, was conducted in 1997 at 116 campuses in 39
states. A total of
14,521 students were interviewed. The researchers found that
42.7 percent of
students were binge drinkers, with 20.7 percent frequent binge
drinkers. In
addition, 81.1 percent of those living in fraternity or sorority
houses were
binge drinkers. Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of at
least five
drinks in a row for men or four drinks in a row for women. "If
colleges are
to have an impact on their alcohol problems, they must change this
drinking
culture drastically," said Wechsler. The survey also indicated
that 22.5
percent of students had unplanned sexual activity while under the
influence
of alcohol and 35.8 percent drove after drinking. Frequent binge
drinkers
were found to be at least eight times as likely to miss a class, fall
behind
in their schoolwork, have blackouts, become injured and damage
property.
The results of the survey appear in the September issue of the
Journal of
American College
Health.