The harm caused by excessive drinking among college students continues to grow, according to analyses of several respected data sources, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New findings show that unintentional fatal injuries related to alcohol increased from about 1,500 in 1998 to more than 1,700 in 2001 among US college students aged 18 to 24 and the number of students who drove under the influence of alcohol increased by 500,000, from 2.3 million to 2.8 million.

The total number of unintentional injuries (fatal and nonfatal) due to drinking exceeded 500,000 in both 1998 and 2001. In addition, more than 600,000 students were assaulted by another student who had been drinking. The Medical Society of the State of New York supports efforts to curb excessive drinking among young people and prevent drunk driving.

The researchers conclude that greater enforcement of the legal drinking age of 21 and zero tolerance laws, increases in alcohol taxes, wider implementation of screening and counseling programs, and comprehensive community interventions are among the strategies that can reduce college drinking and associated harm to students and others.

The new findings were published in the 2005 issue of the Annual Review of Public Health.

This information is provided by the Medical Society of the State of New York.

For more health-related information and referrals to physicians in your community, contact your local county medical society.