Binge Drinking on The Rise Among Students

Binge drinking has been closely linked to health issues such as heart problems.

Partying and drinking has always been associated with the student lifestyle.

However, the Canadian Medical Association Journal says binge drinking has never been more rampant in postsecondary-aged students than it is right now.

An editorial published in the CMAJ earlier this week reported that almost 9% of Canadians have reported binge drinking, with the majority of those people falling into the 15-24 age group.

The article stated, “No one wants to live in a ‘nanny state.’ However, as taxpayers, we are already feeling the burden of heavy alcohol use. Simple evidence informed regulations and policies are worth considering.”

The report defines binge drinkers as men who consume five drinks or more in a sitting and women who consume four drinks or more in a sitting. They attribute the increased drinking rates to the availability of alcohol, cheap prices and advertising.

The article also calls on public health agencies, the hospitality industry, liquor manufacturers and control boards, municipalities and major granting agencies to work together to formulate strategies to curb binge drinking

Binge drinking has been closely linked to health issues such as heart problems. Overindulging in alcohol has also been linked to dangerous sex, rape, violence and injuries.