Excessive drinking has sobering consequences

Marc Murdoch, Staff Writer
October 20, 2011
Filed under Arts & Leisure

As Alcohol Awareness Week comes to a close, I hope that the Le Moyne student body has become more aware of the dangerous effects that alcohol has on the individual and on the community.

Many things were said this week about the consequences of alcohol use and abuse (and I’m willing to bet that a fair amount of eyes were rolled as well.) These lessons matter and not only to those who partake in the consumption of alcohol — legally or illegally — regularly. Repeatedly, we are told of the physical, mental and emotional dangers that alcohol poses to those that are actually consuming it. However, we are taught far less about the impact that alcohol can have on other people.

I don’t wish to beleaguer the fact that alcohol abuse can lead to physical abuse and negligent parenting, since I honestly don’t have any experience in those fields, nor do I wish to patronize you with the discussion of underage drinking on this campus, for I lack authority in that matter. I merely wish to detail the effects of alcohol consumption as seen on this campus through the eyes of a sober student.

Personally, I practice sobriety for three reasons. First and most obviously, I’m underage and I prefer to adhere to the law. Secondly, the culture of alcohol is quite pricey and I seriously don’t need another expense at this time. Finally, I have what some call an “addictive personality” and I know that if I were to start drinking, that I would surely become as addicted as a certain “winning” celebrity. I am well aware that people from every age group here imbibe anywhere from occasionally to daily. Likewise, I know plenty of students who, like me, are sober when Saturday morning rolls around.

Thankfully, I am only subjected to witness the after-effects of nights spent drinking — namely, the horrid state of the bathrooms in the mornings. One Saturday morning, I woke up to half a bathroom that was literally covered in various bodily fluids (mainly gastronomical). Later in the day, the remainder of the floor became covered. Unfortunately, the cleaning crews do not arrive until Monday morning, and I honestly felt sorry for them that week.

I can usually handle the disruptions at night, as long as they’re not too extreme. One of the rooms near me has a habit of blasting music out their window whenever they return from a party. All I have to do is close my window or occasionally yell out, “Shut up!” and they oblige. I don’t have a particularly busy schedule, but I do enjoy my sleep, and really, who doesn’t?

Another facet of this, however, is the disruption of people driving in the earliest hours of the morning. Disregarding the fact that no one should drive while intoxicated, it is entirely unnecessary to blast music or bear down on one’s horn upon entering the parking lot.

I don’t wish to vilify the casual drinking crowd, nor the people who go out to parties and stop before reaching their limit. I respect those that can partake without going overboard (if they’re of legal age). The only people I have a beef with are the ones who go out, get completely trashed, make a mess of public spaces and make no effort to apologize for or to rectify their mistakes.