Alcohol still a college issue

A total of 2,181 on-campus liquor law violations and 221 on-campus drug law violations were reported to the federal government by 12 area colleges and universities for 2006, the most recent data available. In most cases, the infractions were treated as violations of school policy with consequences decided by college officials.

For young people, college often means living alone for the first time and exploring their newfound independence by experimenting with drugs and alcohol, school officials said. In most cases it amounts to nothing more than a minor detour on the road to maturity. But for others, it can become a serious distraction that interferes with their school work, health, academic success, and beyond.

To keep the phenomenon in check, college officials are using a range of disciplinary policies, special activities and peer counseling programs.


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