While drug and tobacco usage among adolescents and college students is in decline, alcohol abuse levels are remaining steady. Why?

When a child is caught drinking, it is quite common to hear parents say, "Thank goodness they weren't doing drugs." Could it be the parental tolerance of alcohol abusing youth that is causing the current levels of drinking to stay unchanged?

Surgeon General

On Tuesday, March 6, 2007, acting Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu said that Americans need a wake-up call about the prevalent use of alcohol by millions of teenagers. [The Associated Press, msnbc.msn,com, March 6, 2007] Moritsugu urged for more research that indicates damage to the brain in adolescents. He says, "Alcohol remains the most heavily abused substance by America's youth. Research shows that young people who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later in life."

Binge Drinking in Europe

It is not only the United States that is experiencing problems with adolescent alcohol abuse. Europe is one of the heaviest drinking region in the world. [The Associated Press, msnbc.msn.com, March 15, 2007]

According to a European Union survey of alcohol consumption, binge drinking is a problem in

• Britain--24% binge
• Finland--27% binge
• Ireland--34% binge
• Denmark--23% binge
• Italy--2% binge
• Greece--2%

What Is Bingeing?

The poll found that one in five people between the ages of 15 and 24 drank five or more drinks in one session. The EU poll defined five or more drinks at one sitting as bingeing. Europe has recently considered making changes that the United States made long ago by cutting ads for alcohol and putting warning labels on products.

Lurking Dangers in Medicine Cabinet

As if the above is not enough to make you lose sleep as a parent, adolescents are abusing over the counter medications and prescription drugs intended for other members of the family. Dr. Lloyd Johnston, who runs an ongoing University of Michigan study, says, "Overall prescription drug abuse has become a more important part of the nation's drug problem." The survey results show

• 9% of 16-18 year olds abused prescription drugs such as Vicodin.
• Abuse of Oxycontin has doubled since 2002 by 12-14 year olds.
• Cough syrups are being abused that contain dextromethorphan.

Unfortunately, both parents and youth has a lower concern toward legal drugs. The dangers do not seem as large because the medications are prescribed by a doctor. Parents must remember that the teenage brain is not fully developed and high school and college students do impulsive things that can have life-long implications.

College and Substance Abuse

Parents sending children off to college should realize that their children are going to be exposed to tremendous pressure to abuse drugs and alcohol on a campus. The forms of the abuse are taking a turn toward more intensity and more frequency.

A new, comprehensive report by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University states that colleges need to take bolder stands on the substance abuse by college students. Colleges are doing little at the moment and need become more active in combating this problem.

The report states that while the number of students that drink may not have changed very much over the past 10-15 years, students are binging more frequently. In fact, 23% of college students meet the criteria for substance abuse or dependence. [The Associated Press, msnbc.msn.com, March 15, 2007] And the abuse of the following drugs is a grave concern:

• OxyContin
• Ritalin
• Adderall

These drugs affect brain function and are considered controlled substances. Mixing them with alcohol can be very dangerous if not deadly.

Victor Hazard, veteran administrator at the University of Kentucky, states that students used to drink on weekends to loosen up. Today, they are "drinking to become intoxicated as fast as they possibly can."

Rite of Passage?

While the present opinion seems to be that drinking is a rite of passage, many students may not live through the rite because of the present intensity of the drinking. Substance abuse may lead to car accidents, arrests, poor class attendance, academic failure, violence, traumatic brain injuries and unwanted pregnancies.

Related articles: Popular College Majors, Teachers and Drug Abuse,

Read previous articles on Educational Issues.

Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.