What do a DWI ticket, frequent memory lapses, falling behind in schoolwork, and unplanned sexual activity have in common? If you guessed that these are the most common results of binge drinking by college students, you would be correct (Thompson, J.J. 63). A recent survey revealed that almost half of college students engage in "binge drinking", and half of those who binge drink do so regularly (McCormick, John; Kalb, Claudia 89). It is not the half that drinks responsibly that needs addressing or programs targeting them; it is the other half of students that engage in so-called binge drinking. This paper aims to discuss both the scope of binge drinking on the campuses of America's colleges and universities and techniques used to combat it. Binge drinking is defined as, "five or more drinks for a man at any one time within a two-week period, four or more drinks for a woman" (Thompson, J.J. 63). Binge drinking is rampant on today's colleges and university campuses. Schools affected are both large and small, just as they are both urban and rural.

At the same time America has managed to keep the same percentage of its students from drinking entirely for the last five years, binge drinking has

Drugs- Indiana University. Indiana University. February 23, 1999. http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/publications/ncadi/primer/binge.htm

been on the rise (Thompson, J.J. 63). While 49 percent of college students binge, only 28 percent of their non-college counterparts do (McCormick, John; Kalb, Claudia 89), clearly illustrating the divide that exists between students and non-students. These figures are upsetting in that one would expect universities to be the breeding ground for new leaders and innovative thinkers in society while these figures make today's college campuses look like nothing more than National Lampoon's Animal House- a drunken debauchery.

"Ironically, in the United States today, we follow the method of alcohol education found least successful in the Vaillant study. That is, alcohol is grouped with illicit drugs, and children are taught that abstinence is the only answer. Yet children are aware that most adults drink, and many drink alcohol themselves on the sly. Moreover, drinking will be legal and widely available to them within a few short years. Clearly, many young people find the abstinence message confusing and hypocritical. (LA Times)"

"In 1989, 45 percent of the school's students said they binged--but on average guessed that 70 percent of their peers did. Nine years later Haines can point to some successes. Students now estimate more reasonably that 33 percent of them binge--and the share who actually do has plummeted to 25 percent" (McCormick, John; Kalb, Claudia 89).

The last segment of this preventative program would be that of an intensive ad campaign and awareness agenda to inform students that binge drinking is not normal behavior, nor is it cool nor acceptable. This would involve a comprehensive ad campaign targeted both for students that already engage in this type of behavior and also to those who may be at risk for engaging in binge drinking. These ads would need to address the current drinkers in order to inform them that their behavior is not acceptable, neither by peers nor by adults. Second, they would need to address students at risk for engaging in this type of behavior in order to let them know that there is not peer pressure to engage in that type of behavior. Quite the contrary, half of students still do not engage in binge drinking.

The second aspect of these measures to counteract binge drinking would be to inform students of the health risks associated with this behavior. This is another program that could be implemented during freshman orientation. A health staff member could visit the groups and give an informal presentation about the detrimental effects of excessive drinking. Slides, posters, or pictures could be employed to further emphasize the effects on organs such as the heart, lungs, and liver. The staff member could let students know about the services offered by the campus health center and also give students time to express concerns or ask questions. This informational session would then need to be followed up by frequent seminars or educational sessions that would reinforce these ideas; these programs could continue throughout the student's career at the school.

Some common words found in the essay are:
LA Times, Kalb Claudia, Drugs Booze, Illinois University, Louisiana University, Thompson JJ, Core Institute, Animal House-, Ironically United, Statistical Abstracts, binge drinking, kalb claudia, mccormick john, john kalb claudia, mccormick john kalb, john kalb, kalb claudia 89, claudia 89, students engage, college students, ad campaign, college campuses, excessive drinking, unplanned sexual activity, students binge drinking,
Approximate Word count = 2506
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)