In today’s society college campuses seem to be a breeding ground for irresponsible behavior in the form of underage drinking, illegal drugs and promiscuous behavior. College is the first real opportunity most students have to leave the comforts of their family nest. Along with the freedom college brings comes a whole new array of responsibilities and worries.
In The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 22.0 percent of full-time college students aged 18 to 22 use illicit drugs. Illicit drugs consist of narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens and cannabis.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health also suggested that full-time college students are more likely to drink than those not enrolled full-time. In 2012 it was reported that nearly 60.3 percent of full-time students were current drinkers, 40.1 percent were binge drinkers, and 14.4 percent were heavy drinkers.
Not only is college a time for independence and experimenting, it is also a high point for sexual assault to take place. One in Four, Inc reports that one in four college women report surviving rape, which amounts to approximately 25 percent. College women are not the only target for rape, nearly three percent of college men report surviving rape or attempted rape, but of course not all rapes are reported.
Many times people have the idea that something like that could never happen to them, but between 62 percent and 84 percent of survivors knew their attacker, known as acquaintance rape. Out of that 62 to 84 percent that survived acquaintance rape, nearly 75 percent of the men and 55 percent of the women involved reported drinking or doing drugs before the assault.
Anyone can be a victim of rape or sexual assault. More than half of rapes, happen on dates; that is known as date rape. Unfortunately, it is estimated that nearly 47 percent of rape survivors never tell anyone about the assault. It is important to know that being a victim of rape is nothing to be ashamed of. Seeking help is the first step to recovery and seeking justice. In a future issue there will be an in depth discussion of rape, the prevention of rape and seeking help.
