Do you have a child going off to college this fall or in the foreseeable future? Then you need to become educated about the challenges and issues that your child will face in regard to drugs and alcohol on college campuses. While asking about the drug or alcohol scene may not be on the top of your list of questions during a college tour or information session, it should be. Consider the following statistics:
- 43% of college students report drinking in a high risk manner at some point in their college career; 20% report drinking in a high risk manner often.
- Within the past year, 32.3% of college students have used marijuana, 6.5% have used amphetamines, 7.5% have used hallucinogens, 3.7 have used cocaine and 3.6% have used designer drugs such as Ecstasy.
- Drug and alcohol abuse has been the cause of tragedies such as date rape crimes, hospitalizations, suspensions/expulsions and even death
- Even those who do not engage in high risk behaviors are affected by student drug/alcohol use and abuse
- 60.5 % had study or sleep interrupted
- 53.6% had to care for a drunken friend
- 20.1% of women had an unwanted sexual advance and 1.3% have been a victim of a sexual assault or date rape
- 13.6% had property damaged
- 9.5% had been assaulted
While some campuses might be dry or the social scene may not provide the opportunity or acceptance of alcohol and drug use, most colleges are faced with the challenges of providing programs and incentives to discourage on-campus use and abuse and work hard to avoid the negative publicity that comes with the label “party school.” We often hear of riot situations where extensive damage occurs. This then results in arrests, suspensions and expulsions and even death, all because of behavior fueled by drunken students.
Since students may want to attend a school with a well-known party environment, it is up to parents to make sure the college is a good match.
Here are some things you can do:
Ask questions - Is there a culture of partying that starts on Thursday and carries over to poorly attended classes on Monday morning? What percentage of incidents that are part of the campus police log were drug or alcohol related? Does the institution accept advertising revenue from businesses that sell alcohol? Is there a Greek system and if so what is the policy about drugs and alcohol and initiation rituals?
Visit the campus - While most parents do visit a prospective campus, when you do visit are you looking specifically for clues about the drug and alcohol scene? Talk to numerous students and resident advisors. Wander through the residence halls checking out displays, bulletin boards and campus newspapers. Look for off campus bars or liquor stores in close proximity to the campus. Find out what programs exist late at night or on the weekends to provide alternatives to the drug and alcohol scene.
Provide factual information - Make sure your child is informed about the harmful effects of drug/alcohol abuse. Discourage dangerous drinking games or hazing activities that involve excess.
Be supportive - In addition to teaching your child about the negative consequences of drug and/or alcohol abuse, it is also imperative to offer him/her support around making good choices. Encourage him/her to seek activities and peers that will not be consumed with activities involving drugs or alcohol.
Be a positive role model - Make sure that as a parent you are modeling healthy and acceptable behavior. What is your belief system and level of consumption of alcohol or other drugs? If you possess a permissive philosophy then it is more likely that your child will think it is acceptable to use such substances.
Talk with your child - Parents are a key influence on the values and beliefs that their children possess. Listen to what your child has to say about drugs and alcohol. Find out what concerns s/he may have. Make it clear what you expect from your child and be vigilant about maintaining contact with him/her so you know what is going on.
Remember that parents are often unaware of the severity of a child’s drug/alcohol problem. Only three percent of parents think their child would have five or more drinks in a row during the past month. The reality is that thirty-three percent of teens do have five or more drinks in a row last month. While you may think now that your child is an adult, off at college and on his/her own, your responsibility is not over. Don’t let your child make mistakes that a little bit of effort, education and perseverance could have prevented.
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