One might readily argue that teenage drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions on some college campuses and high school facilities. Alcohol – one of the most misused drugs today – is also one of the most popular and readily available of all types of drugs and controlled substances found on high school campuses. Waking in a stupor after the previous night's party, missing classes, falling behind and ultimately losing whatever funding may have accompanied one's higher education is but a single representation of how drugs and/or alcohol can detrimentally impact one's academic experience. Many teens think college is just one big party now that they are on their own at school. However, the soiree does not last long once parents find out the extent to which their teen children have detrimentally impacted their scholastic rating by skipping class, failing to complete assignments and generally neglecting their scholastic responsibilities.
There was once a time when college students represented some of America's most lively, ambitious and energetic population. However, the teenage drug abuse and alcohol abuse of today has severely tarnished that image. "…Attitudes toward society among college students today have changed beyond recognition" (Stockwell, 2001). Being that college and high school is one of the most stressful of all periods in a person's life, students claim that removing their ability to blow off steam has proven even more detrimental than the activities caused by drinking. "When the Man comes along and denies students the right to have fun (like tailgating at Munn field) they're going to be pissed off. It's like taking away some people's purpose in life. It's sad to think that it's the only thing that people do, but that's what's important to them and they'll fight for it" (Alcid, 1998, p. PG).
http://www.teendrugabuse.us/drugsnschool.html
A drug is any chemical you take that affects the way your body works. Alcohol, caffeine, aspirin and nicotine are all drugs.
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/WhoAmI/FindOutMore/Yourbrain/Howdodrugsaffectyourbrain/Whatisadrug.aspx
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Teens drop out of school after being addicted to the use of drugs. A program like DARE was given to students in middle school, but it is important for teens to also be aware of the risk in high school. If students are offered drugs and they know the consequences they are more likely to refuse rather than try using drugs. When teens use drugs it’s likely for family and health issues to occur. When students are taught about the risk they can get good grades and achieve their…
- 489 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Binge drinking is a reality of college life in America and perhaps the central focus fraternity life. In Henry Wechsler’s article entitled, “Binge Drinking Must Be Stopped” Wechsler discusses that freshman’s learn during the first week of school where the alcohol and parties are and often has a binge drinking experience even before purchasing a text book. The argument is that freshman’s know where to get alcohol at their first week of school, so they often come back for more and become abuse of alcohol. Wechsler argues that Universities and Colleges presidents should take care of abuse drinking. Wechsler present very little of the opposing side.…
- 355 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
College isn’t what it should be. Students nowadays are focused on having fun. They think college is a place of freedom where they can just do as they please and not care about their schooling, “Life is at parties, at clubs, in music, with friends, in sports” (Edmundson). Students have gained independence and feel like they must do crazy things. Or…
- 1228 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Substance use continues to be a major public health concern, not only for communities across the nation, but also for higher education institutions and administrators. The harmful consequences associated with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and the negative effects on students, families, campuses, and surrounding communities have been well documented in the substance use field.…
- 1771 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
When high school is more focused on athletics and popularity, it is absolutely no wonder that the academic scores of the students are falling short. High school institutions give adolescents every opportunity to create new and dangerous vices, simply for the sake of ‘being cool’ or ‘fitting in.’ Young adults forced into these institutions very rarely find enjoyment in it, and those who do succeed are facing increasing amount of stress due to peer pressure, popularity, and other things. For example, a student from Broder’s article said, “My high school was swamped with drugs- and so was I” (para. 14). Students cannot be expected to learn when they are subjected to such a distracting environment.…
- 535 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
(Hingson et al., 2009) Furthermore, 400,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 had unprotected sex, and more than 100,000 students report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex. These shocking statistics lead campuses to ban the use of alcohol on their campuses. Except, eliminating drinking on college campuses is unrealistic because college students, like high school students, are subjected to strong social pressures to drink. Moderation is a more realistic goal for college students to avoid the problems of alcohol abuse (Krohn, 2000). America tried, during its history, to ban alcohol. This brilliant idea was known as prohibition. Prohibition did not prevent drinking, and dry campuses won’t prevent drinking. Therefore, drinking is a reality for college student, and it’s going to happen. Teaching students to make better choices about alcohol can prevent excessive drinking and the social problems that come along with it, such as academic problems, sexual assault, suicide attempts and alcohol abuse. The whole point of graduating college is to earn an education, not develop an alcohol addiction. Colleges can’t ignore or avoid the problems of drinking by having a dry campus policy. Drinking happens, and kids need to be educated on how to be able to deal with…
- 695 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
As college students, alcohol is just a common and abused drug throughout campus. Drinking plays a big role in college party scenes as well as tailgating. Most freshmen, sophomores and juniors who fall under the age of 21 will still drink because alcohol is present. In addition, this age group would feel pressured to drink in order to be “cool,” to have a good time or to impress someone. Because of reasons such as this, State College and Penn State invest so much money and…
- 826 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Throughout this 8-week semester, I have been learning how to write argumentative essays using the provided articles as well as the ones I find on my own to help support my arguments. I like how the first three papers are designed as a step by step teaching tool. For example, paper one teaches me how to read and summarize the articles and to give a short response to each article. This is very helpful, because without having a deep understanding of the issue being discussed, I would not be able to generate my opinion and present it to the audience. The second paper requires more than reading and summarizing. This paper actually introduces me to argumentative research essays by asking me to find one additional resource to support my arguments. The third paper, which is also the biggest research paper, requires me to have a well-broad understanding of the complexity of the topic and to be able to utilize three to four resources to effectively support my position. Thus, instead of throwing all the class material to me all at once, this class has taught me how to develop an argumentative paper step by step and provided me with a much stronger knowledge base about argumentative essays. However, writing argumentative essay is a challenging process. It requires a lot of thinking, researching and organization in order to create a well written paper.…
- 956 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that students who frequently binge drink perform more poorly in their classes and exams and also have more chance to experience other consequences which includes suicide attempts, health problems, injuries, unsafe sex, and many more problems. This is the opposite of what people go goes to college for. People go to college to strengthen their minds and for better future, not to destroy themselves. Yet, college students refuse to not drink and party although their goal of going to college is to get good grades, graduate, and have a better…
- 707 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The transition between high school and college is an unreal experience for many. For a young student your entire life you need to follow all of these rules. You have to do what you’re told to do. Growing up you’re used to one type of life, and that is in your home life. All through kindergarten and high school, you are brought up to be like drones, or that is what it seems like to be. You are told to do this, do that without any question All this tension brews inside the student that can make them crazy sometimes. Some students handle it better than others. When that day comes, the day to ship off to college, you gain this sense of pride, nervousness, content, but most of all you gain freedom. Freedom is power which allows you to do what ever you want to do without any guardian of yours to talk into your ear telling you what to do. Being young and reckless, students go out and fulfill their need to party and that includes binge drinking to a whole new level.…
- 600 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
In high school, teens are forced to have good grades. Good grades require hours of homework, project, and essays. Not to add the many hours of studying. This pressure becomes a lot. Soon we ae turning to alcohol. Alcohol is easy to get our hands on, considering many of our parents drink. Some students may even turn to drugs, which are even easier to their hands on.…
- 287 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
According to a recent survey conducted by Student Monitor, a college market research company, college student’s state that the three biggest problems on college campuses are the cost, stress and drinking. Now more than ever, college binge drinking is becoming a relevant issue and it is often linked to rape and sexual assault. A recent study conducted by, The Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking and Related Problems, found “that alcohol use of any kind on campuses across the country each year results in 1,800 deaths; 600,000 injuries; 700,000 assaults by someone under the influence; and nearly 1 million rapes and sexual assaults”. There have been initiatives to lower college tuition and support systems to cope with the stress of school, but no specific and universal…
- 646 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Underage drinking in college is a common occurrence and has been for a long time, most people think it is just what college kids do and that it is something that it okay. The truth is that for many students from the age of 17 to 20 the drinking isn’t just distracting kids from their work it could be hurting them in many other ways. Most of the problem isn’t just the fact that the kids are all drinking but it is how and where they drink, most underage kids are not going out to bars or to mature parties where getting extremely drunk usually isn’t what happens. But instead kids are going to house parties and playing games that involve drinking…
- 1912 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
With the onset of substance abuse issues early in life, teenagers are exposed to things that no one should ever have to experience. In the quest to feed one's addiction, many teenagers find themselves involved in crimes that lead to incarceration and the lost of innocence. Even in a best case scenario, teens might find themselves having difficulty within the family, with friends or in the school environment.…
- 527 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Partying, heavy drinking, and drugs are all associated with the word college. When thinking about college students most people think of rambunctious teenagers doing whatever they couldn’t do while living at home. These stereotypes are commonly true but universities worldwide are slowly trying to crack down on the excessive amount of alcohol being consumed by college students and trying to get kids to drink smarter, if they choose to drink.…
- 917 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays