Simply, the more money a student has to spend on alcohol the more they can spend. A recent study indicated students in the higher income brackets are more likely to drink than those in the lower income brackets (Cook 2007). Furthermore, Cook (2007) found a 10% increase in average income led to a 3.4% increase in average alcohol sales. The more discretionary funds a student has the higher the likelihood of the students to drink (Cook, 2007). Research indicates the amount spent on alcoholic beverages by students varies but some have been found to spend over $500 in a month. One study found 33% of women and 32% of men spent between $100 and $199 per month on alcohol. (Martin, et al. 2009) Another study found students have approximately $172 in discretionary spending money per month. This is significant considering the amount of money spent on alcohol is in the same range. (Gladieux & Lee 2001). Binge drinking can be a major problem. Forty percent of U.S. undergraduates engage in heavy drinking - having five drinks in a row in a two-week period (Johnston et al 2005). The affects of binge drinking are tremendously adverse. Those who binge drink are more likely to engage in reckless behavior such as unplanned sexual activity, driving intoxicated, damaging property, injury, and death. It is estimated that 1,700 college students ages 18-24 die annually from alcohol-related unintentional injuries. Nearly 80 percent of those deaths are associated with driving after drinking. Additionally, in 2001 10 percent of college students reported being injured and 8 percent reported having unprotected sex because of their drinking (Hingson et al 2005). Not only does drinking affect the safety of oneself and others but academics are also affected by drinking habits. A study reported that students with
Simply, the more money a student has to spend on alcohol the more they can spend. A recent study indicated students in the higher income brackets are more likely to drink than those in the lower income brackets (Cook 2007). Furthermore, Cook (2007) found a 10% increase in average income led to a 3.4% increase in average alcohol sales. The more discretionary funds a student has the higher the likelihood of the students to drink (Cook, 2007). Research indicates the amount spent on alcoholic beverages by students varies but some have been found to spend over $500 in a month. One study found 33% of women and 32% of men spent between $100 and $199 per month on alcohol. (Martin, et al. 2009) Another study found students have approximately $172 in discretionary spending money per month. This is significant considering the amount of money spent on alcohol is in the same range. (Gladieux & Lee 2001). Binge drinking can be a major problem. Forty percent of U.S. undergraduates engage in heavy drinking - having five drinks in a row in a two-week period (Johnston et al 2005). The affects of binge drinking are tremendously adverse. Those who binge drink are more likely to engage in reckless behavior such as unplanned sexual activity, driving intoxicated, damaging property, injury, and death. It is estimated that 1,700 college students ages 18-24 die annually from alcohol-related unintentional injuries. Nearly 80 percent of those deaths are associated with driving after drinking. Additionally, in 2001 10 percent of college students reported being injured and 8 percent reported having unprotected sex because of their drinking (Hingson et al 2005). Not only does drinking affect the safety of oneself and others but academics are also affected by drinking habits. A study reported that students with