Many of us grew up watching our parents order a glass of wine at a restaurant or sit down with a bottle of beer at the end of a long day. Drinking is not only normal — it’s expected. The use of alcohol and other substances such as marijuana have been integrated into our society, especially for college students. It has become such an important aspect of socialization that, often, people have to explain their choice to abstain from alcohol rather than their decision to drink in the first place.
In a world with near-constant messages about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, why do people still choose to consume it regularly without batting an eye? One complication is that narratives always seem to be changing. A Harvard study claims that moderate drinking can have heart benefits. Marlene Cimons at the Washington Post argues that no amount of alcohol is good for you. I’ve read that marijuana and psychedelics are being used for mental health treatment. Even though smoking causes cancer and lung damage, it’s difficult to walk on Occidental’s campus without seeing a lit cigarette balancing between two fingers. The reality is that people, especially college students, are going to indulge in substances no matter how many times anyone warns them not to.
I think of many people’s choice to ignore the consequences of drug and alcohol consumption as similar to the phenomenon of reading the news. The tedious cycle of crisis, injustices and wars desensitizes viewers to the point where they pretend it’s not real. Eventually, they’re incapable of caring.
Despite the harms, the use of substances is still prevalent. So, where do we go from here? How do we, as young people, know when to say yes and when to say no?
This past summer, I worked as a camp counselor. A large part of the job was being a positive role model to the children who attended. But on the weekends, my coworkers would host staff socials which involved drinking games, smoking and pretty much everything else you’d find at a college party. We were, after all, a group of 18-22 year-olds.
There was always a mixed group of people in attendance at these functions. Some stayed sober, other’s had one drink, many smoked or vaped and on occasion, someone would over-indulge. Despite the generally problematic culture of using substances to relax after a long week, this group demonstrated what a positive party culture can look like. There were always enough sober people to keep an eye on their friends who were under the influence. People went out of their way to give others a ride home even if it added an hour to their commute. No one peer-pressured those who chose not to drink nor shamed anyone for having too much. One staffer showed up each week with a six-pack of non-alcoholic beers so he could be included.
These socials were a lot of fun, sober or not. The best part about them was that they were safe and inclusive. I knew that no matter what I did, someone would be looking out for me. One particular night, my friend with whom I planned to share a ride home drank too much alcohol and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. This heavily influenced my decision not to drink or smoke going forward. After witnessing my fellow staffers rush to action to ensure her safety and well-being, I decided that if I found myself in that situation again, I was going to be the one to step in.
Having had this experience, I wondered what college would look like. I chose Occidental knowing it didn’t have a significant party culture. But no matter where you go, there will always be students who partake in drugs and alcohol. I believe being around it, at least some of the time, can be valuable because substance use is a part of the world we live in, whether you like it or not. A college campus isn’t the same as hanging out in a backyard in a quiet, suburban neighborhood. It doesn’t matter whether you’re simply orbiting the culture of drugs and alcohol or are deep inside it. Everyone should know where the line is.
All of us can be mindful of the impact of our decisions. How do you speak to those around you while under the influence? Are you keeping people in your hall up late at night by yelling in the common space? Was blowing through a stop sign “not a big deal,” or was it a near-death experience to a random pedestrian? Actions have consequences. Be responsible and have a sober buddy. The healthiest way to exist in substance culture is to know and respect your limits.
Contact Mia Bracco at bracco@oxy.edu
