For many college students in Connecticut and elsewhere, alcohol use is considered a rite of passage. You may also fondly remember the university events and tailgating parties you attended in your college days. However, if you have children in school, you should understand that they face numerous risks – both to their safety and to their legal interests – if they drink too much during the school year.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism cautions that many students develop drinking problems in college. Why is this, you may wonder? Students who are involved in fraternities, sororities and sports teams may be pressured to drink more than a healthy amount of alcohol during extracurricular activities. It is also common for new students to rely on alcohol to deal with the stress of adjusting to their workload and trying to fit in.
As you may know, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to students being assaulted on or off campus or being harmed in an accident. In fact, about 1,825 U.S. college students lose their lives in alcohol-related incidents each year, especially in drunk driving crashes. Students who receive alcohol-related charges may also face such consequences as being suspended from sports teams, losing their social organization membership or being expelled from school.
Although alcohol charges are serious, they are not uncommon. You may help your child avoid alcohol-related consequences by holding honest, respectful conversations about drinking in college, as well as by keeping track of their progress while enrolled. Your child is also entitled to a competent defense after an alcohol-related charge. This information should not replace the advice of a lawyer.
