Alcohol: A Dangerous Drug

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 18, 2012) -- It is a dangerous and sometimes tragic choice that university students face every weekend. On the nation’s campuses this year, it is estimated that 1,700 will die and another 97,000 will be raped or assaulted as a result of abusing a drug that many don’t even consider dangerous – alcohol.

  

In more ways than one, alcohol is the most dangerous as well as the most common drug most university students will use during their college careers. In addition to the inherent risks of drinking alcohol at dangerous levels, there are other dangers, including rape and assault, that are associated with drinking too much. The University of Kentucky Office of Substance Education and Responsibility and the students who work with the office recognize these tragic facts and want to minimize the deadly impact of alcohol on the Lexington campus.

UK’s Student Wellness Ambassadors, a group of peer educators associated with the office, will host Alcohol Poisoning and Date Rape Awareness Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in front of White Hall Classroom Building.

“This event is being held in hopes of raising awareness among UK students about the dangers of heavy drinking and the role alcohol plays as a predatory drug,” said Rachel Carnahan, assistant director of the Office of Substance Education and Responsibility. “Our Student Wellness Ambassadors want to give students information that could possibly save their lives and make their college experience a safer one.”

About 31 percent of UK students will drink at dangerous levels at one time or another during their freshman year, according to statistics presented by the Office of Substance Education and Responsibility, Division of Student Affairs.

UK students also “need to be aware of the dangers associated with date rape drugs and alcohol,” Carnahan said. “Although date rape drugs are often used as predatory drugs, alcohol contributes to a greater number of sexual assaults and rapes among college students.”

In a survey conducted midway through the fall semester 2011, UK freshmen were asked to respond to questions based on their experiences during the previous two weeks. About 14 percent reported being taken advantage of sexually while drinking, 11 percent took sexual advantage of someone else, 18 percent got into a car driven by someone who had been drinking, and 39 percent said they had blacked out at least once.

"Being educated about alcohol poisoning and date rape drugs is so important to college students. Many of us are not aware how frequently these events occur and how to prevent or deal with the situation, especially when alcohol or other drugs are involved.  Raising awareness of the problem and educating students is the key to prevention,” said Casey Jackson, a Student Wellness Ambassador of Kappa Delta Sorority.

On Wednesday, Student Wellness Ambassadors will be handing out information with hot chocolate, T-shirts and other giveaways. Students will be encouraged to “Take a Pledge” to be safer and be more aware of threats and dangers while drinking alcohol. Some of the messages will be “I pledge …

·        not to drink anything with unknown contents”

·        not to be scared to call for help in an alcohol emergency”

·        not to assume a person can sleep it off”

·        to know my limit”

What are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning?

·        Mental confusion, stupor, coma, person cannot be roused

·        Vomiting

·        Slow and irregular breathing (more than 10 seconds between breaths)

·        Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness

What should you do if you suspect alcohol poisoning?

·        Do not wait for all symptoms to be present.

·        Be aware that a person who has passed out may die (blood alcohol concentration continues to rise even after a person has passed out).

·        It is dangerous to assume a person can “sleep it off.” Get help.

·        If there are any suspicions of an alcohol overdose, call 911.

What are the signs you may have been drugged?

·        Drink is foggy and/or there is a slight change in color.

·        You feel more intoxicated than you should, considering how many drinks you may have had.

·        You feel dizzy or light-headed.

·        You suddenly become sleepy.

·        You experience a significant loss of coordination.

·        You experience hallucinations.

Don’t leave your drink unattended. Don’t accept a drink if you’re not 100 percent sure of its contents. Mixing date rape drugs with alcohol can be fatal. If you suspect you or someone else has been drugged, do not wait for all signs to be present. Call 911 immediately! It could save a life.