Drinking...

Pre-College Issues High School Life
101

<p>Acetaminophen (AKA: Tylenol) kills your liver too, you know. Ibuprofen is horrible for your kidneys. It would be an exaggeration to claim that they hurt you as much as alcohol, prescription medication, or illegal drugs, but they're more dangerous than most people realise.</p>

<p>I'm sure you realise that there is a very good reason why you should not get behind the wheel when on prescription medication. Even some over-the-counter drugs can cause inhibition.</p>

<p>Moderation is always the key. Excess food can cause obesity. Very dangerous, obesity.</p>

<p>Granted, those things are necessary. Food definitely. No food will kill you. And, while we don't need as much medication as we've become dependent on, it is very important. Often necessary. Unlike alcohol, which is a poison.</p>

<p>But what if, one day, we discover that it really isn't a poison. At least not always. What if we discover a very important medical use for it? Would you be averse to that? Hypothetically speaking.</p>

<p>I'm probably sending mixed signals here. Realising the dangers, but saying it's ok to drink... That's it. It's your choice. Maybe it's my hedonistic side, but whatever. I believe that alcohol, in moderation, is ok. I was raised with alcohol being treated, not as some far off dangerous substance meant only for adults, but as a drink. A drink preferred by adults, because of the taste. But if you enjoyed the taste (as I always have), you can have some. A small glass. A tiny glass (barely more than a sip) when I was a young child.</p>

<p>I believe this is the responsible approach. I understand why you would disagree with me, and I'm sure you've heard my argument before, but let me explain. Kids want to rebel. Well, kids wish to follow obediently. Adolescents want to rebel. You do things because you are told you cannot. But if the substance is normal, allowed, not even viewed as taboo... You don't really <em>want</em> to go out partying and making stupid decisions, and throwing up all over the place. This has been my personal experience. Drugs, on the other hand, are a great taboo. Understandably so. But I still yearn to try them, because I am not allowed. Even knowing the risks. The risks actually make me want to try them more. Do you understand? I don't, of course, because common sense says 'no'... But drugs are much worse than alcohol. (Except for marijuana. Which isn't even as bad as alcohol or cigerettes. I don't really even smoke pot, but I believe it should be legalised... I mean, cigerettes and alcohol are legal at a certain age, and pot isn't even as bad as them... But you're for prohibition, so you wouldn't agree with me here)</p>

<p>But anyway, as I was saying, moderation.</p>

<p>Good decision making is also important. For example, when my brother goes out drinking, they either designate drivers, or they spend the night at the place where the party was held. Granted I don't think he should go out partying as much as he does - it isn't healthy - but at least he's smart enough to not drive.</p>

<p>Anyway, I've kind of been rambling.</p>

102

<p>I don't drink. Not really because it's bad for me, but because I don't like it. It's an acquired taste, I think. Cocktails are pretty good, but I'd rather have a virgin drink anyday. I don't have anything against people who drink in moderation, but I think those who force themselves to like it just to seem "cool" are stupid. </p>

<p>It's sad that most parties these days are synonymous with binge drinking. If drinking is the only entertainment at a party, then it's not really a party worth going to. You can still have fun at a party and not drink. Natural highs ftw!</p>

103

<p>I find beer is an acquired taste. Lucky for me, I have acquired it already. haha</p>

104

<p>Yeah, I didn't like beer before, but it's not bad now.</p>

<p>Then again, i'm accustomed to very warm straightup vodka, which is about as rubbing alcohol tasting as you can get, so anything tastes good.</p>

105

<p>I drink, but I drink in moderation.
Maybe once a week, depends on the occasion as well.
The only time I was drunk is when the Ducks won the Cup.</p>

<p>My cousin from Canada was here and he is 20 (drinking age in Canada = 19) so we went overboard (see I admit it, I did go way overboard) and I couldn't enjoy the victory the next day as much as I would've liked.</p>

<p>But now I know my limits.</p>

<p>But once again...moderation, it's good for you (moderation that is...)</p>

106

<p>
[quote]
Remember, nobody likes a quitter.

[/quote]
What the.
Example: Hey crack smoker--keep on smoking it, no one likes a quitter!<br>
What's your point?</p>

107

<p>Haha, I think that was a joke. A strange joke, since the beginning of the post didnt really seem sarcastic, but yeah.</p>

108

<p>drinking is appreciated to me. just not the hangovers</p>

109

<p>the drinking age should be 18. If you are allowed to vote and join the army, you should be able to drink.</p>

110

<p>The only problem with it being 18 is that some people are still in high school, and I can see that being a problem. If you could somehow get it to where you have to if you are 18 AND graduated hs you could drink, I would be in favor of that, but such a system would probably be a difficult thing to implement. 19 on the other hand, almost everyone who was in school would have graduated by that age, so you don't have that problem to deal with.</p>

111

<p>i don't think we should lower the drinking age at all. 21 isn't perfect, there is still plenty of underage drinking, but that doesn't mean we should just go ahead and lower it. how would that solve any problems?</p>

112

<p>The current situation is analagous to that of the USA during the Prohibition era, when alcohol was banned completely and alcohol consumption actually rose. People did it to sort of rebel, to defy the authorities, even if they wouldn't have drunk otherwise. Today, people in high school and early college tend to drink because (among many other reasons) it is something that they're not supposed to do. My theory is that if the drinking age is lowered, many students will not get the thrill and adrenaline rush of doing something forbidden, and drinking rates (they are HIGH) may actually go down. </p>

<p>Plus this crazy advertising has to stop. The govt made tobacco companies stop advertising, and the same can be done to alcohol companies.</p>

<p>And Temperance societies. They worked during the Second Great Awakening, and they worked during the Progressive Era, and they might work in the 21st century.</p>

113

<p>I don't need any drinks because some comments I've read in this thread already make me want to vomit.</p>

<p>Oh no, have I said something immature???[/sarcasm]</p>

114

<p>Yeah, drinking is fine when it's done responsibly, especially since we're living in a perfect ideal world where teenagers never black out, drink and drive, and kill people all the time.</p>

<p>I do agree that the mature decision is to drink responsibly, but I'd say for the majority of teenagers, at least the ones I've seen, that's not reality.</p>

115

<p>This arguing is ridiculous I need a drink.</p>

116

<p>buur is GUUUUUOOD!</p>

117

<p>fast27 the drinking rate probably would decrease but only after a period of students going crazy.</p>

118

<p>In response to the OP's post... </p>

<p>I don't drink, at the moment. That's due largely to the fact that my rather over-protective parents are quite good at ensuring that I don't end up in situations where I'll have opportunities to drink (ie parties where there is no parental supervision). Even so, if it were up to just me, I wouldn't do much drinking... just a bit (a beer or two) here and there at parties for the purpose of enjoying the taste rather than for that of getting drunk.</p>

119

<p>I generally seem drunk enough without any alcohol.</p>

120

<p>Im 18... been drinking regularly since I was 15... I usually get drunk 4 times a week or more now that its summer</p>