- Damage to self
- Risk drinking may result in blackouts (or memory losses), fatal and nonfatal injuries including falls, drowning, car accidents, illnesses, missed classes, unprotected sex that could lead to a STD or unwanted pregnancy, falling grades and academic failure, an arrest record, accidental death, and death by suicide.
- Damage to others
- 8 percent of all students admitted damaging property or pulling a fire alarm in connection with their drinking.
- Occasional binge drinkers were almost 3 times more likely and frequent binge drinkers nearly 10 times more likely to report having damaged property when compared with students who do not binge drink.
- Each year, 600,000 college students aged 18 to 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking and 70,000 college students in the same age range are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
- 61 percent of nonbingeing students living on campus said they have experienced sleep or study disturbances due to someone else's drinking.
- Damage to the institution
- More than 25 percent of college administrators from schools with relatively low drinking levels and more than half of administrators from schools with high drinking levels reported that their campuses have a "moderate" or "major" problem with vandalism and property damage.
- Failure and dropout rates due to student alcohol misuse can damage a college's academic image, resulting in the loss of tuition and the capacity to attract high-calibre students.
- Misuse of alcohol poses a threat to other road users when drinking occurs before hitting the road.
The above is taken from: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/niaaacollegematerials/panel01/highrisk_04.aspx
Health Risks associated with the Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that decreases the responses of the central nervous system.
• Excessive drinking can cause liver damage and psychotic behavior.
• As little as two beers or drinks can impair coordination and thinking.
• Alcohol is often used by substance abusers to enhance the effects of other drugs.
• Alcohol continues to be the most frequently abused substance among young adults.
This source explores the common types of drugs that are abused and the effects they have on our health. Some of the drugs addressed are Marijuana, Cocaine, Meth, Ecstasy, and Heroin.
The above is taken from: http://www.cabarruscollege.edu/content/students/HealthRisksDrugsAlcohol.pdf
How to make healthy choices regarding drugs
The most common source of influence to take drugs comes from our peers. Being in college is a stage at which finding social acceptance is one of the most important concerns that students have. This source is very informative on how to navigate situations effectively when people around you are doing drugs, but you want to avoid it for the good of your own health. Some suggestions are:
- Trying not to judge others to avoid conflict
- Simply saying 'no' when offered drugs
- Pretending that you are busy with something else instead of hanging out
- Suggesting activities that are not related to drug use
- Changing the peer group you hang out with if necessary
The above is taken from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/drugs/publishing.nsf/content/campaign/$file/Making%20your%20own%20choices%20about%20drugs.pdf
About Safer Sex
This source explains what is safe and what is dangerous when it comes to having sexual relations or intercourse. Students should know how to protect themselves not only from unwanted pregnancies, but also from sexually-transmitted diseases by using condoms, avoiding contact with open skin, combining alcohol or drugs with sexual activity, and sharing needles with another person, regardless of who he or she is.
The above is taken from: http://pc.brooklyn.cuny.edu/SAFESEX.HTM
More information on sex and sex-related topics
For contraception, there are various options according to the needs and preferences of the persons involved. It also ranges from pre-intercourse medication and precautions to morning-after pills.
10 considerations one should have before having sex are:
1) Whether or not it is his/her own decision
2) Whether it feels right to him/herself
3) Whether he/she loves his/her partner
4) Whether feelings are reciprocal and mutually shared between the two people
5) Whether condoms will be used and how each person feels about it
6) Whether other methods of contraception will be opted for
7) Whether it is okay to stop anytime if either party wants to
8) Whether either party is being pressured to do it
9) Whether any regrets will arise after doing it
10) Whether sex is just an attempt at keeping the partner faithful
One of the most important things is communication. Sex is a very intimate activity that may or may not happen between two people who truly have feelings for each other. In view of the dangers, it is advised that one thinks through all his or her options before making the decision to take risks for his or her partner.
The above is taken from: http://www.nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout/Pages/sex-worth-talking-about.aspx
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