Problem drinking result of student stress
By Michael Markle
More college students than
ever are becoming problem
drinkers.
Walk through the Capitol
Campus residence areas and
see a banner hanging from the
roof of a Meade Heights house
advertising a “Pre-Buzz” par
ty; bright neon beer signs in
“Vigorous activities such as running, swimming, and cycling serve as a release valve, letting out aggres
sions in a constructive manner, rather than a destructive manner, such as drinking.”
windows; numerous beer bot
tles littering the streets; an
empty wine bottle on the
sidewalk; and public displays
of drinking.
Surprising for an academic
community? Not really.
A recent study showed that 80
percent of college students con
sumed alcohol on a regular
basis. Of the 80 percent who
drank regularly, 20 percent
were classified as problem
drinkers (problem drinking is
defined as binge drinking that
results in problems with fami
ly, friends, jobs, or the law).
What causes college students
to drink?
According to Dr. James F.
Rooney, associate professor of
sociology, many students learn
to use alcohol as a means of
drinkers.”
Rooney, who teaches an Ad
dictive Substances class, ex
plained that “heaviest drinking
occurs in the early 20’s,”
adding that “there is little
alcoholism (atCapitol), but
more problem drinking since
the median age at Capitol
Campus is 25 and older.”
Capitol Campus may well be
typical of the national trend produces in its members,
toward colleges that produce a Third, the degree to which
problem drinking culture. the culture provides suitable
A report of Alcohol and substitute means of
Health by the Secretary of satisfaction.
Health, Education, and Welfare
listed three ways in which
culture and social organizations
can influence the rates of
alcoholism.
First, the degree to which the
culture operates to bring about
inner tensions or acute needs
for adjustment in its members.
Second, the sort of attitude
toward drinking that culture
BudSmifley
Campus Athletic Director
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The Penn State Capitol Cam
pus culture influences and pro
motes alcohol consumption in
all three ways. How can the
Capitol Campus environment
be altered so that students
would rely less on alcohol?
Penn State’s decision to
switch from terms to semesters
may prove to be factor in the
reduction of student stress. The
intense workload of the ten
week term will be spread out
over a 15 weeks semester,
reducing some tensions that
often result in student drinking.
The student culture at Capitol
Campus tends to promote a
positive attitude towards drink
ing. The main attraction at
many student social functions
is alcohol, with the success of
the function depending on the
amount of alcohol that is
served.
Rooney believes that
“drinking; could go along with
the activities, but shoulan’t be
the central focus.” Less promo
tion of alcohol at student
gatherings could be effective in
combating drinking problems.
Exercise has been found to be
a useful substitute for alcohol
in reducing tensions, with much
better results than drinking.
Bud Smitley, athletic director
for Penn State Capitol Campus
believes tfcat exercise can be
very effective in fighting stu
dent stress.
“Vigorous activities such as
running, swimming, and cycl
ing serve as a release valve,
letting out aggressions in a con
structive manner, rather than a
destructive manner, such as
drinking,” says Smitley.
Lack of spare time is often
cited as a reason for avoiding
exercise.
“That’s a poor excuse” says
Smitley, adding that “a good
exercise program consists of 30
minute workouts four times a
week—every student has, at
least 30 minutes a day that is
wasted.”
All agreed it’s not too late to
change the Capitol Campus en
vironment away from the na
tional trend towards colleges
that produce problem drinkers.
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