Letter to the Editor: Habits form early

Friday, October 2, 2009

As a returning student to the University of Kansas, I’m keenly aware of the binge-drinking crisis on campus. Not once, but twice last year my day began with the tragic news that the life of a fellow Jayhawk had been cut short by alcohol.

In response to these deaths, the University has implemented a medical amnesty policy, a parental notification policy and a mandatory alcohol education program. Despite all of this, a survey by New Student Orientation confirms what many already know: Binge drinking doesn’t start in college. For this reason, requiring alcohol education at the college level seems unlikely to curb binge drinking.

The survey suggests that nearly half of the students in the class of 2013 went to high school parties where they consumed five or more alcoholic beverages. This is in agreement with a separate study suggesting that on any given day, more than 25 percent of high school seniors have binged in the previous two weeks. Generally, having four to five drinks in two hours is considered binge drinking.

The roots of binge drinking may reach beyond high school, all the way back to childhood. Research suggests that perceptions of alcohol begin to develop as early as pre-school and that these perceptions are indicative of future alcohol use and abuse.

Binge drinking is such a deep-rooted problem that it seems unlikely a two-hour online course will do anything other than waste two hours.

As one freshman said, “I think it’s kind of pointless, because if kids want to drink, they’re going to drink no matter what.”

At this point, a two-hour online course isn’t going to change anyone’s mind.

— — Thomas K. Whitson is a doctoral student from Olathe.

Comments

pantheon (anonymous) says...

Exactly, if we can't convince everyone not to binge-drink until they die, we shouldn't even make the effort. Excellent and well thought out letter, Whitson.

October 2, 2009 at 11:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

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