College and drinking are difficult to separate. Although we try to encourage students not to drink, a far better strategy is to educate them on the dangers of drinking to excess. Responsible drinking and knowing when you have had too much to drink are important factors to staying safe.

The bottom line is yes, drinking can be very dangerous. Here are some facts and figures:

* Contrary to popular belief, alcohol poisoning can occur the very first time you drink
* Any sort of first-time use of alcohol will have an unknown effect on you
* Learning and memory issues may surface as a result of drinking which could directly affect schoolwork
* Drinking impairs your judgement and ability to make proper decisions
* Drinking may cause you to forget things, become careless and lose
inhibitions
* 90% of rapes on college campuses involve alcohol
* 73% of assailants and 55% of rape victims used alcohol or other
drugs prior to sexual assault
* Your senses are deadened when intoxicated which could prove fatal in
the event of a fire or other emergency
* Approximately 30% of drivers who died in 2014 between the ages of
21-24 had a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit
* A drunk driving accident can harm or kill you or your passengers; don’t drink and drive
* If you are convicted of a DUI, you may lose your license and be unable to get to college or work
* Long-term, a DUI on your driving record could prevent you from getting a good job after graduation since many employers look at that when reviewing job applications

Many dangerous, long-term health risks can arise from excessive alcohol consumption including:

* heart-related problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke
* kidney failure, liver disease, and digestive issues
* cancers of the throat, mouth, esophagus, liver and colon
* mental health issues including anxiety and depression can develop
* Relationships with family and friends may suffer

Some successful strategies for not drinking or limiting drinking include:

* Education should be the first step to a successful strategy designed to eliminate or limit drinking
* Regulate your alcohol consumption to reduce the chances of experiencing dangerous outcomes; know your limit
* College is a huge investment in your future; don’t jeopardize it by making poor decisions as a result of drinking
* Never leave your drink unattended; it may be compromised with a date rape drug while it is out of your sight

Be smart and make good decisions and you will be able to handle college drinking better than most!

Stay safe!