Spring break tragedy easy to avoid Published March 13, 2008 Hurlburt Field ADAPT HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Spring break offers students a great opportunity to enjoy time off from school, spend time with family and friends and relax. In contrast, Spring break is also well known for students traveling to party spots and engaging in risky behaviors. Yet, just because Spring break is associated with risky behaviors, it does not mean the student has to place themselves at risk to have fun. Spring break activities can be fully enjoyed while simultaneously being safe. And, making responsible choices can significantly minimize the chances of ending up in jail, the hospital or worse. According to research summarized in a College Drinking Task Force report to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the consequences of excessive drinking by college students are more significant, more destructive and more costly than many parents realize. And, these consequences affect students whether or not they drink. Statistics from this report indicate that drinking by college students 18 to 24 years old contributes to an estimated 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape each year. It is also estimated annually that more than 696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking. For a greater understanding of this public health issue, consider the following statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Office of Applied Studies: - Almost 20 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed by 12 to 20 year olds - More than 90 percent of this alcohol is consumed in the form of binge drinks - The proportion of current drinkers that binge drink is highest in the 18 to 20 year old group - The rate of binge drinking among men is three times the rate of women - On average, underage drinkers consume more drinks per drinking occasion than adult drinkers - In 2004, there were more than 142,000 emergency rooms visits by 12 to 20 year olds for injuries and other conditions linked to alcohol - In 2005, 16 percent of 16 to 20 years old drivers who died in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking alcohol - Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes and non-fatally injure someone every two minutes - During 2005, 16,885 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, representing 39 percent of all traffic-related deaths - Male drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes are almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or greater - It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico - Among motorcycle drivers killed in fatal crashes, 30 percent have BACs of 0.08 percent or greater - Among drivers involved in fatal crashes, those with BAC levels of 0.08 percent or higher were nine times more likely to have a prior conviction for driving while impaired than were drivers who had not consumed alcohol Consider the following tips to help make this Spring break a fun and safe vacation: - Do not drink any alcohol if under 21 years old - If 21 years or older, strongly consider abstaining from any alcohol consumption - Drink no more than one alcoholic drink per hour. Do not binge drink - Do not participate in alcohol drinking games - Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks - Eat a real meal before drinking and snack throughout the time of drinking - Do not drink and drive - Always ensure there is a designated (non-drinking) driver. If the designated driver takes a drink, they are no longer the designated driver. Call a taxi, a sober family member or a sober friend - Know the signs of alcohol poisoning, which is a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels that suppress the central nervous system and cause loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, low body temperature, respiratory depression, coma and death - Watch the drink being made and don't leave the drink unattended - Don't share drinks. Don't drink from punch bowls or other large, common, open containers. They may have drugs in them - Do not accept a drink from other people - Keep a hand over the cup or a thumb over the top of the bottle - Watch out for date rape drugs like Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate, Rohypnol and Ketamine. These drugs could be placed in a drink to facilitate sexual assault or other crimes - Use the buddy system. Watch out for friends - Make it a rule to never leave without anyone from the original group The Hurlburt Field Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program provides a wide range of prevention, education, outreach, evaluation and treatment services to active duty members. ADAPT is located on the second floor of the Hurlburt Main Clinic, and its staff can be reached at 881-4237. Family members of active duty should contact TriCare partner Value Options at 1-800-700-8646 for information and/or assistance in obtaining substance abuse evaluation and treatment services.