dragonbook

7 “The Wall” was filled with stories of similar alcohol-related, mistakes, tragedies and misfortunes—much of it really painful stuff. When a Northern student does something really stupid, something that really messes up their school career and their life, I can almost guarantee that alcohol was a factor. My advice: stay away from alcohol entirely. Now those of you who didn’t drink at all in high school perhaps think you don't need the drug and alcohol advice, and maybe you don’t. However, college freshmen face a different kind of temptation to use these things than do high school students. You'll find a different kind of peer pressure, one you almost certainly don't anticipate. High school peer pressure is balanced by home as a safe haven. At college, the peers dominate "home" as well. You are going to meet a lot of people you really like, people you want to socialize with—and it might be harder than you think to turn down an offer of a glass of wine or a can of beer. A couple of things to keep in mind. There are lots of party-types who think it tremendous fun to try to get a non-drinker drunk. Inexperienced drinkers do silly, stupid things which other party-goers find very funny. Unfortunately, alcohol and drugs are *most* dangerous for those who have never before felt their effects, and one hears stories all of non-drinkers whose “friends” get them to celebrate their 21 st birthday by playing one drinking-party game or another—and who end up dead from alcohol poisoning. Another potential danger is the spiked drink. I used to have to warn my women students about the “party rapists” who use alcohol and drugs to incapacitate their intended victims. Unfortunately, I have to warn my male students about this now too. One of our athletes had an internship with Daktronics. The older man that picked him up at the airport gave him a spiked drink and tried to rape him. The student tried to fight him off…but the guy killed him. NEVER accept a drink you aren’t absolute sure is safe, and don’t leave a drink unattended.