Sirens blared through the party. Suddenly, the upbeat rap music turned into murmurs and the dancing ceased. A girl was being carried off in a stretcher, foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog. A few minutes ago she had been dancing with such great spirit. Now she lay motionless on an orange bed hooked up to machines, struggling to breathe. What could have caused this? What is the reason behind the night’s tragic turn of events? Well, alcohol abuse is a prominent issue in today’s college communities. Statistics show that about 1825 students between the ages of 18 and 24 have alcohol-related deaths per year; and in the time-frame of a month, more than two-thirds of the student database had indulged in binge-drinking. That isn’t even the end of it: alcohol abuse and binge drinking have been correlated to academic failure and mental ailments.

To be able to accurately discuss a subject, one must first define what they are trying to explain. Binge-drinking is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time. As everyone knows, college students are the biggest offenders of binge-drinking. I mean, how could they not be? Media portrays college as a massive party where the sole purpose is to be drunk all day long. Usually these teenagers and young adults have no clue about how much danger they are putting themselves in. According to the National Institute Against Alcohol Abuse, alcohol plays a role in about 60% of fatal burn injuries, homicides and drownings, 50% of trauma injuries and sexual assault cases, and 40% of suicides, fatal car accidents and fatal falls. Teenagers that drink are usually unaware of these eerie statistics and the horrible accidents behind them.

The haunting cases of alcohol related deaths often go unheard, but if they were brought into the light, I feel that less teenagers would partake in such unhealthy drinking habits. For example, the tragic death of young student-athlete Shelby Allen when a simple night with girlfriends turned into a disaster. Allen managed to sneak alcohol into her house and when her parents went to bed, she proceeded to try and take 15 shots of vodka. She was found the next morning bloodied, slumped over the toilet where her friends had left her last night unresponsive and motionless. Her family struggled with the loss for months, and sadly, they are not and will not be the first nor last family to mourn a loss of a loved one to alcohol abuse.

Lastly, alcohol in college communities can lead to academic consequences that jeopardizes their education. NCIAA states that about 25% students that drink, face academic struggles due to their excessive drinking habits. These consequences include missing classes and lectures, failing exams, and an overall drop in GPAs and grades. School seems to fall second to the party life for most students, ironically. Academic failure is the biggest consequence of binge-drinking in regards to school. Many people who drop out resort to substance or alcohol abuse. On my own college campus, I have seen students toss an assignment to the side to be able to get ready for a party or to go out drinking. Then the next morning they fail to get up for their 8am classes, causing issues with their professors.

There is no way we can stop teenagers and college students from drinking altogether, but we can educate them on how to drink responsibly. There should be no reason why families have to mourn the loss of a loved one because of their drinking habits. Teenagers need to become educated to prevent these incidents and to be able to make the best out of their college years. Your diploma isn't at the end of a bottle, neither is any good outcome. Drink responsibly and never let yourself think that you are safe while binge-drinking!