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Student Tribune

ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

April is Alcohol Awareness Month! In an effort to inform and promote safe alcohol use, I have provided information; Alcohol Facts, Alcohol & Pregnancy, Alcohol & Violence, and the impact of alcohol on College and Underage Drinking.

(For more information regarding treatment providers in Monroe County see attached pdf below.)

Alcohol Facts

  • Alcohol is the most commonly used and socially accepted drug in the United States.
  • Alcohol is a drug and may be addictive.
  • Delaying the onset of drinking can substantially reduce chances of becoming a problem drinker later in life.
  • Alcohol abuse may lead to lower life expectancies and higher mortality rates.
  • High-risk drinking may lead to other risky behaviors, such as driving under the influence, unsafe sexual practices and injury to self and others.
  • The use of alcohol may cause impairment of a person's judgment, ability to estimate time or distance, coordination and motor function.
  • All body systems are affected by alcohol. This can result in problems such as gastritis, pancreatitis, fatty liver hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer, heart disease, anemia, and lowered resistance to infection.

Alcohol & Pregnancy

  • Drinking alcohol during pregnancy may cause birth defects and/or behavior and learning difficulties for the child.
  • Doctors advise against the use of any drugs during pregnancy.

Alcohol & Violence

  • Alcohol is present in more than two-thirds of incidents of sexual assault.
  • Alcohol is a factor in more than half of all incidents of domestic violence.

College

  • Alcohol use may contribute to college campus problems such as missed classes, decreased studying, poor grades, dropping out, fights, vandalism, acquaintance rape, fires, injuries, and death.

Drinking & Driving

  • Alcohol-related accidents are the #1 killer of people ages 17-24 in the U.S.
  • It is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher.

Underage Drinking

  • A person under the age of 21 driving with a blood alcohol content of .01, may have their driver's license suspended or revoked.
  • Anyone under 21 years of age, who buys or attempts to buy alcohol, is committing a misdemeanor. It is also a misdemeanor crime to sell, give or furnish alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age.

Above Information courtesy of https://web.csulb.edu/divisi ons/students/atod/

Helpful Links:

  • SAMHSA Find Help and Treatment: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help
  • SAMHSA Alcohol Use Facts and Resources: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/alcohol-use-facts-resources-fact-shee t.pdf
  • Myths about drinking: https://educalcool.qc.ca/en/facts-tips-and-tools/facts/myths-about-alcohol/#.XG2H j1xKgd
  • Responsible Drinking: https://www.responsibledrinking.org/
  • Facts about Binge Drinking: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160311125324.htm
  • NYS Stop DWI (Driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs: stopdwi.org
  • Safe Drinking Tips for Young Adults, Prevention Lane: https://preventionlane.org/young-adults-alcohol-safe-drinking-tips

If you are concerned about yourself or a fellow student, please contact the MCC Counseling Center, Building 3 room 103 or call 585-292-3103 for more information.

Attached Files:
Substance Abuse Commmuity Resources.pdf

Peterson, Komekia
Counseling Center & Disability Services
04/09/2019