Drugs and Alcohol

FRS 100: Freshman Seminar Lesson 12: Drugs and Alcohol Nov. 4, 2002 Objectives By the end of this lesson, you should be able to do each of the following without consulting notes or other resources: Take steps to avoid the negative effects of using drugs or alcohol. Define or identify relevant terms. Assignments Before coming to class on Monday, you should complete the following assignments: Make a list of courses and alternates for your spring schedule. Activities Our class activities this week include the following: Presentation: Alcohol (George Gressman) Terms Make sure you know the meaning and significance of the following: drugs alcohol Updated October 15, 2002 © Mark Canada, 2002 mark.canada@uncp.edu

Introduction In our final lesson, we will take a look at the negative effects of drugs and alcohol, as well as some useful strategies for avoiding these effects. Rather than going to our usual classroom, please go directly to Room 243 in the University Center. Discussion For many people, alcohol use is a necessary evil. That is, they know the seriously harmful effects of alcohol use, but they believe that people in general and teens in particular are going to drink anyway and that the best we can hope to do is to teach them to drink responsibly. The truth, however, is that many people—about 1 in every 3 American adults, in fact—do not consume alcohol at all. A look at some of the statistics regarding the negative effects of alcohol, furthermore, reveals some very good reasons for this avoidance. For example, according to estimates, about half of the deaths that occur in highway traffic accidents are linked to alcohol use. About 60 percent of the people killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents are teen-agers. Of course, people could reduce their risk if they avoided driving drunk or riding with a drunk driver, but it is important to remember that most people who have been drinking cannot tell whether they should be driving. Even if you avoid driving under the influence and riding with drunken drivers, alcohol can endanger your life. Binge drinking—consuming too much alcohol in a relatively short period of time—can be fatal and indeed has killed numerous college students in America in recent years. Because alcohol impedes a person’s judgment, furthermore, it endangers people in other ways, making them more susceptible to die in fires and to engage in risky, potentially fatal behavior. Over the long haul, alcohol abuse also often leads to alcoholism, child and spouse abuse, poor relationships, financial trouble, and physical ailments, including liver disease. Weigh these numerous and serious harmful effects of alcohol with the few minor benefits, which include brief periods of pleasure and possible benefits for heart health—and the decision about whether to use alcohol does not seem so cut-and-dried. Of course, avoiding alcohol—particularly when you are a college student living in a residence hall or apartment—is easier said than done. All of the arguments against drinking seem perfectly logical and perhaps even convincing—and then Thursday night comes. With just a little planning, though, you can avoid alcohol and its dangers. The most important thing you can do, for example, is to develop friendships with non-drinkers. Although it sometimes may appear that everyone around you drinks, the truth is probably that many people on campus do not. Many of these people, furthermore, likely have some of the same interests that you have: music, books, sports, games, and so on. The trick, of course, is finding those people. Consider joining campus organizations where you can connect with people who share your interests. Make plans to be with those people on Thursday nights and weekends. These friendships and their products—intellectual growth, happiness, and meaning—will last longer than any alcoholic buzz. Conclusion We have completed our lessons for Freshman Seminar. During class on Monday, you will sign up for a time to meet me for your interviews.