I recently attended a drug and alcohol awareness lab at school. My experience at the lab was a positive one, as it brought to light some of the prevalent issues that college students face regarding drug and alcohol abuse.
At the lab, I learned that many people underestimate the amount of alcohol they consume. I learned that 12 ounces of beer is equivalent to 4 ounces of wine and 1.25 ounces of hard alcohol. It is also commonly underestimated how much alcohol is in a mixed drink. The speaker mentioned that binge drinking is considered five or more standard drinks for males and four for females. Alcohol is metabolized differently by females, so it is easier for them to over-drink without realizing it. Before coming across this information, I would have imagined that binge drinking to consist of a much higher volume of alcohol. This brings to light how many college students are binge drinkers and may not realize they are in this category. In my personal experiences many of my fellow college students consume significantly more than the above stated amounts. She also stated that the legal limit (0.08 BAC) to drive is reached a lot quicker than you may notice.
An intense part of the presentation consisted of a story about a college student that fell through a dorm window and died because he was under the influence of drugs. When the autopsy was performed it showed that he had consumed the equivalent of eight ecstasy pills (MDMA). The presentation showed the dark side of drugs and alcohol rather than the social and partying aspect that we so often see and hear about.
The speaker gave tips on how to limit drinking and how to drink safely at parties. She advised against putting your drink down and to watch your drink being made. Many times Rohypnol and GHB may be slipped into a drink of an unsuspecting date in order to take advantage of the individual. It has also been shown that sexual harassment is more prevalent in situations where drugs and alcohol is involved. As alcohol lowers your inhibitions, you are more susceptible to make decisions that you would not normally make. Drinking and driving was also an important issue that was addressed, since it is the leading cause of death in the 15-24 year age bracket.
Other topics addressed were the effects of excessive partying, drinking and usage of drugs on school work. After all, sometimes it forgotten that we are at school to further our education and not to party. Excessive drugs and alcohol use can impair the brain and make it more difficult to retain information in the days and weeks after drinking. Many students assume that after the “drunken effect” has worn off, so have all other effects to the body.
The lab was very informative and highlighted the importance of protecting yourself and peers from the negative effects of drugs and alcohol. In my experiences after the lab, I have educated my friends about the concerns addressed at the lab in hopes that they will make the right decisions in the college years ahead of us.