One in five underaged persons 12 to 20 consume alcohol regularly, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. This alarming statistic exposes a problem prevalent in every community.
Regardless of its effects on adults, alcohol usage is a dangerous game for young people. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates around 1,825 college students die from alcohol-related incidents and drunk driving accidents each year.
Abusers aren’t the only victims of the so-called victimless crime. There are roughly 696,000 cases of students being assaulted by a belligerent drunk each year, according to the NIAAA. Innocent party goers aren’t safe from the perils of alcohol.
Thankfully, many alternatives can take the place of drinking at a college party. The occasion is ripe for spending quality time. All your friends are together in a relaxed environment separated from the stress of the outside world.
Board games are a good option for house parties. Games like “One Night Ultimate Werewolf,” “Deception: Murder in Hong Kong” and “Codenames” are great fun for a group of friends. All you have to do is learn the rules and play cleverly.
If you’re looking for a calmer evening, you could turn the music down to a light ambience as background music while you converse with your friends in a relaxed, intimate group setting. Humans are social creatures, after all, and crave interaction and attention.
A third option involves making a fool of yourself just as much as drinking does, but in a safer fashion. Turn the music up, throw your hands in the air and let your feet go wild. You’re no longer too cool for dancing in public.
Dancing is one of the greatest methods of socialization. It combines a physical form of self expression with bonding with friends through wild, senseless and primal fun.
Dancing is also incredibly healthy. Dancing improves physical functions such as balance and reaction time, according to a study by University of California, Berkeley.
The mind also benefits from dancing. Studies show dancing improves fine motor skills and cognitive function. Alcohol does the opposite. One in four students report adverse effects on academic life as a result of regular alcohol consumption.
The music played in bars and at parties exacerbates the problem. Simple dance music of the past has been replaced with soulless pop songs made to cash in a quick buck, and dubstep music enjoyed only by someone stoned out of his mind.
Recently, more rising music artists have become interested in old school “retro” music styles. These singers aim to revive the dance-heavy culture and traditions of genres like disco and early rock n’ roll. They reach toward an admirable goal, but their place in night clubs and bars remains as limited as their popularity.
Drinking at parties may be a relaxing pastime for innumerable people, but its dangers outweigh its advantages. The next time you find yourself at a bar, night club or house party, turn up the music and let go of your inhibitions in a safe and fun way.
Kyle Richoux is a 19-year-old sociology sophomore from LaPlace, Louisiana.
