College_Drinking

Nicolette Hitzke November 4, 2009 English 101 It is no secret to those attending college of the massive amount of alcohol consumption considered normal. You may be considered wild if you drank in high school but if you come to college and don’t drink a more degrading adjective would indeed be applied. There are some individuals who divulge themselves in their studies and good morals refusing to participate in the common tomfoolery practiced by a majority of their peers. But they will not go through college blind, at one time they will intersect paths with a fellow student who has chosen otherwise. Therefore the intoxicant problem present on college campuses affects most every student. With this said and considered, I have several proposals on how to handle this issue. You could compare the predictability of college drinking to that of the ground becoming wet after it rains. Students in college will drink whether of legal age or not. Demonstrations have been put in order as well as other informative services for students concerning the issue of alcohol. I believe, however, a more pronounced example must be made. There is always some kind of simulation, but never real experiences. You could say a real encounter with the negative aspects of drinking would be much more effective than the simulation of what the negative aspects might be like. So maybe such event should be held for all new freshman coming in. The administrators will be the example to the student body. If the drinking problem is going to be solved, the student body must know what it looks like to be intoxicated so that they can report any such behavior. They should see how alcohol influences behavior so that students will not want to drink. Maybe such a demonstration will be ineffective. After all students that attend college are legally adults and can make decisions for themselves. So maybe a different approach should be made. To prevent underclassmen from drinking illegally, all freshman and sophomores should have to attend early morning classes, including Saturdays. Those who cannot get up because they are too hung-over, will be unable to continue their schooling. It would be comparable to weeding out a garden. All those who cannot be responsible and be dedicated enough to get up and have their work done will eventually no longer be able to attend the school. Having to get up early would give students more time to focus on their studies without negative influences such as drinking, interfering. If these two proposed solutions still do not help the underage drinking problem then possibly there should be a solution that would directly catch students in the act. The University should simply hire undercover R.A.’s and possibly a few assistants to go to the bars, clubs, and parties looking for underage students who are drinking. Not only will many students be apprehended for their unacceptable behavior, but it will also discourage others from drinking for fear of getting caught. Its like yelling police at a party, even if they aren’t there, everyone most likely flees. Hopefully turning a majority into a minority. In closing, such arguments can only be examined on a “rough draft” basis.