Pubdate: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 Source: Daily Collegian (PA Edu) Copyright: 2007 Collegian Inc. Contact: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/543 DRUG STUDY - AVENUES EXIST BESIDES THE DRUG CULTURE A recent study brought some very disturbing information to light: Almost half of college students nationwide, about 3.8 million people, binge drink or abuse substances. Why is this fact so disturbing? Just take a look through the Collegian archives. Search for the word "drugs" and you come up with many stories about drug abuse that has affected many people. Someone wound up dead from the Andrew Rogers incident -- they were doing cocaine that day. On April 17 a student was arrested for possessing $15,000 worth of marijuana -- about three pounds. So this study's findings really aren't that surprising when you think about it. How many times have you been at a party where someone was smoking marijuana? Plenty of students use Adderall to stay up all night to study for big tests. Drugs are all around us, and it's true that many students use college as a time for experimentation, whether it's with drugs or alcohol. It's important to look at the definition of binge drinking and drug abuse that the study refers to. Binge drinking is generally defined as five drinks for men, and four for women, during one occasion. An occasion might be a frat party or a night out at the bar. So, according to this definition, probably a majority of Penn State students have experienced binge drinking, many of them every weekend. Drug abuse widely can be applied to anyone who has ever experimented with any sort of mind-altering drug. This means anyone who has every tried smoking a joint can be defined as abusing drugs. But it is important to note that while the numbers may be inflated, it still is important to be responsible when it comes to abusing substances. Penn State offers a variety of activities on the weekends for those who may not want to participate in the Penn State party scene. Penn State also offers students counseling and help through University Health Services. Fraternities are also getting in on the action with the Training for Intervention Procedures, which is an enrichment program to help chapters learn about serving alcohol and intervening when someone is in need of it. One can see a variety of avenues available for anyone who thinks they are in danger of becoming a drug or alcohol abuser. It is also important for friends to keep any eye on each other and offer help and guidance when needed. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek