Student reveals personal struggles with binge drinking and OUPD comments on substance abuse.
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Binge drinking is a common activity on college campuses around the nation. According to the programs website, “The University of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Alcohol Program strives to encourage student achievement in their educational and career goals by promoting smart decisions, healthy lives, and a campus culture of care.”
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism[1], binge drinking is defined when a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches 0.08 grams or higher. This usually happens after drinking five plus drinks for men and four drinks for women in two hours or less.
The largest percentage of binge drinkers in the Unites States occurs within the ages of 18-20.
Binge drinking has both immediate and long-term consequences on the body and mind of participants.
Immediate effects of binge drinking include impaired judgment, possible alcohol poisoning, and a high risk of unplanned sexual activity. Long-term effects of binge drinking include a lack of self-motivation, brain and liver damage.
University of Oklahoma Sergeant Tim Tucker defines binge drinking as reaching a level of alcohol consumption where the student can no longer control his or her actions. Examples of such behavior are passing out in public locations, causing disruption in public, or exemplifying harmful behavior to oneself or others.
Though he claims that binge drinking is and will continue to be a problem with college students, Tucker says that violence from drinking has decreased immensely since his start in the force in the 1980’s.
The University of Oklahoma implements programs and counseling services that are available to students at all times.
An online program, Alcohol.ou.edu[2], is mandatory for all undergraduate students twenty-two years and younger to complete. The program educates the students on the effects of alcohol on the mind and body, the OU policy regarding alcohol and ways to prevent alcohol use.
The University is a dry campus, meaning that all forms of alcohol are prohibited on university grounds regardless of age or intentions to drink it elsewhere.
Executive Director of Health Sciences Center Student Affairs, Kate Stanton, explains that the university is aware that students consume alcohol, which is why the university implemented the numerous programs.
The University will continue to educate students on alcohol abuse in attempt to keep consumption at a minimum.
