Alcohol consumption at Rhodes...

Grahamstown which is commonly referred to as a dreary town by students, is the home to a few thousands of Rhodes students who refer to the place as being isolated, boring with limited forms of entertainment and somewhat an untrue reflection of ‘the real world’ out there. Students’ complaints about the tiresome town have resorted to a majority of them turning to alcohol as a means of entertainment. However has anyone ever stopped to think that in terms of alcohol abuse, the university provides an exemplary image of the society we live in?

In modern day society, one finds that by the tender age of 13, children have already had their first encounter with alcohol; I am not excusing the high usage of alcohol amongst Rhodes students. I am merely emphasizing on the fact that reckless alcohol consumption is rapidly becoming problematic amongst the youngsters in our society. Alcohol is seen as a form of entertainment amongst us youngster, some go as far as to say ‘before you go out, you need something to loosen you up abit’ a comment made by Amanda, a student at the university. What has entertainment done to our society; that we depend on alcohol to have a good time? Some may say that’s not the only reason for drinking, as research conducted at the Pharmacy department at Rhodes, has proven that most students drink as a result of boredom and loneliness.

Numerous of students blame the University for its passive response towards alcohol abuse at Rhodes and I also use to be one of those students. I believed that the ‘Cheese and Wine’ gatherings were an indirect way of the institution promoting drinking amongst students, coming from high school where alcoholic beverages were not served at school functions, it was abit overwhelming and exciting that one could drink opening in public without death stares; so one gets carried away and enjoys the freedom.

Recently a good friend of mine, Karabo Tledima pointed out to me that the university hosts these ‘Cheese and Wine’ events to students because they believe that the students are responsible adults who know how to handle their drinking, she continued to state that, even in the work place and social gatherings alcohol is present and it is up to you as an individual to practice self control.

This strong opinion made me realize that the university in a sense is trying by all means to promote alcohol awareness, the institution went as far as declining hosting the annual sport contest, Tri-Varsity due to the manner in which Rhodes students conduct themselves when drunk. The Dean of students was quoted as saying to The Daily Dispatch that ‘the university has started a program which promotes alcohol awareness and during orientation week the students are given a talk about the dangers of alcohol by their leaders’

I beg to differ with regards to first years receiving a talk about during Orientation week about the haphazard of alcohol. If one calls a quick general knowledge chat about drinking and res rules with regards to alcohol a ‘talk’ then good luck to decreasing the figures. I believe that Orientation Week is the best time to tackle drinking amongst first years, with the aid of the drama department a performance could be conducted about the dangers of alcohol because a number of students out there view drinking as a joke; ignorant towards the damages alcohol causes to the body.

The town maybe small and desolate but they are various things one could do besides drowning their sorrows in booze, having a good time at a club should not be dependent on how intoxicated one is, personally I have been out with friends, sober and have had a great time. I fail see the fun in making a fool of yourself in public, doing inappropriate things with various people and not remembering the following day.

If you going to drink do it responsibly and be mature enough to take credit for your own actions. The university and location should not be used as an excuse for your yearning to drink, you’re an adult now and your life is depicted by the choices YOU make.