Alcohol consumption at universities?

[*Mahzala*]

Assalamualaikum

I am doing some research in this regard, and would like to request if you have any views, please share them. Its basically a feature article for the university newspaper I chose to write after a car accident which resulted in two deaths; university students who were last seen at the tavern. Everyone so far has expressed a lot of interest in it, and have suggested a few points to consider. I decided to bring it here too, knowing there are (MashaAllah) many intellectuals with deep and very meaningful ideas and opinions. I am going to start at the pros and cons of a tavern on campus. At the top of my head, I jotted a few down:

Positives:

- more controlled environment relative to off campus licensed establishments in which alcohol is the central social activity. On campus, this can be avoided through introduction of games, attractive food and others consumables and entertainment.

- restriction implemented through economic availability i.e. pricing policies.

- less driving exposure, students can car pool if need be, or the tavern may organise transport (cant rely on it, but it is possible).

- legal drinking age is closely followed.

As for the negatives:

- mixed messages sent about the 'need' for alcohol to enhance social functioning, the centrality of alcohol normalises drinking.

- alcohol abuse, injuries, physical and emotional consequence.

- question of opportunity cost arises.

- increases the accessibility to the availability of alcohol; depending on the hours of sale etc. So what used to be a weekend or evening behaviour, can now be indulged at morning/lunch or even afternoons.

- increased consumptions leads to increased supply (outlets) which results in increase in health, safety and other social problems.

What do you think? I will add that my article is aimed at the negatives, the consequences of a tavern on campus, and the limitations of the tavern services. I will also add that I do not bring it here to make you do my work, in fact I have handed out a survey, which aimed at the same thing. With the same aim in mind, I ask for your views. I look forward to your response.

De Khuday pe Amaan

(p.s my first thread on PF )

[tor_khan]

Disorderly drunken students = another social burden

[*Mahzala*]

I feel as though anything that is overdone can have its consequences, However, Its a fact Drinking while intoxicated leads to death.

I think you need more statistics and concrete proof to make it seem more convincing.

Thank you for your response LaghmanKing. I appreciate it.

Great suggestion, it did slip my mind I must say. And for concrete proof and all, its all in my books, this was the first part of thread (yes, there is more). And my interviews with the Department of Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs experts and Tavern Managers are yet to be done, InshaAllah this week. I had to give myself enough time for the research, but the interview material hopefully will cover most of that (what you suggested).

I think universities need to impose stricter rules on alocohol.

Nazia Khorey, hope youre well.

I agree, wholeheartedly of course, but how so? Any suggestions?

Disorderly drunken students = another social burden

Tor_Khan Brother, indeed it is. Your reply was too short for me ...

[Master Khan]

Alcohol in large amounts can be very bad for you. Alcohol can damage your stomach, liver, kidneys, and many other organs. If consumed under the age of approximately 25 years old the brain can sustain permanent damage as well because it has not fully developed. In addition to direct harm done to the organs alcohol can also cause many types of cancer. When the body breaks down alcohol it turns it into an organic chemical compound called Acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a well known carcinogen found in cigarette tobacco that can cause massive DNA damage. It can cause multiple forms of cancer such as oral, lung, stomach, liver, and even brain cancer. Acetaldehyde is the main cause of hangovers.
If someone drinks alcohol then he will do what he minds tell him to so it could be something like murder, Rape etc.

[*Mahzala*]

Thank you for yor suggestion Afghanlady. I will hint at it. Why? Because it is a student newspaper, targetting the university tavern, trying to get them to change their ways. If we go into the effects of alcohol, we can write books and books, but in about 1000-1500 words (article style of course), I have to squeeze in about four interviews too. As I mentioned earlier, it is a follow up to an incident outside uni which resulted in the death of two of our students. I will try and squeeze your suggestion in, where I can. I am sure somewhere in between I will get one of the interviewers saying something along those lines too ...

Khairwese, au dera manana.

[*Mahzala*]

Manana,

I would suggest you to different make a note of it, so the ladies can also be interested in reading it.

I wish you good luck, if you need any more help, I am here for you.

I will try my best. And once again, thank you, means a lot Dear Sister

Zanjeer, I've definitely taken note of those stats, *Thank youuu*. Let's see how it goes, I am organising the interviews tomorrow InshaAllah. This long long weekend has twisted a lot.

[Dinosaur Khan]

In another thread you r complaining that members are not posting so much pashtun material which will help those suffering frm identity crisis and lost roots. and here u r posting alcholic thread irrelevant to education/literature of pashtuns.

You should set it in your grey matter that it is not possible to post every thing about pashtuns even in a pashtun forum.

[*Mahzala*]

You should also mention how religion has placed bans on Alcohol and etc.
It might open up the eyes of the students to religion.

I will, great suggestion. I am interviewing a frequent tavern customer, and a non-drinker (Muslim), so that should do the job too. Thank you!

[*Mahzala*]

I don't mind at all Shlombay ( I haven't said that in ages!), bas dua kawa. I don't want to have any obstacles this time. I always, for the oddest reasons, choose very 'iffy' topics, which always take longer than everyone else. And I absolutely can't afford it this time.

[*Mahzala*]

Why exactly are you writing this article? Is it required from your school or self interest?

Both. I am a Journalist. I work with the local and university newspaper (as I am still in my final year of university). This one is for the uni paper though.

[*Mahzala*]

Are you going to work in Afghanistan?

I hope to. I hope somewhere in my destiny it says that I can touch the soil of my land, soon. I have dreams, small and big, and I hope I can fulfil each and every one. I wish to be the source of healing someone's wounds, physically or even emotionally. My people are very derserving of it, more like, in dire need. There are obstacles, but InshaAllah, with time, I can overcome those. Bas Shlombay Wrora, dua kawa. Armaanuna der di, kho pe zhre ke che paate shi, dard-e ziyaat wi. Dua kawa che da har yaw de Khuday raza sara ter sara khrhelayshu.

[*Mahzala*]

Yvonne Ridley? And then I can convert to become an extremist.

Well, there is danger everywhere. One cannot guarantees one's safety, anywhere. It depends on what I choose, where I go, how I do it and when I do it. And of course, who I am with.

[*Mahzala*]

What does Rihana? You've lost me there, or maybe it's past my bed time.

[*Mahzala*]

You being a Pashtana and you being educated makes me smile.

Allah always keep you happy and smiling, from within.

You've made my night.

[Roshina]

(p.s my first thread on PF )

LOL!! Rrrrealllly? Congrats, man! And then there's me with a new thread every other day, lol hahaha.

As for the thread, sorry I came too late! I was actually very happy that you mentioned benefits as well. I hate one-sided arguments, that's why. The fact is that alcohol is dangerous when it's consumed in excessive amounts; small amounts are actually good for the health.

According to arguments presented by Muslims, the reason Islam has banned alcohol is because anything that's harmful in excessive amounts is harmful in minute amounts as well.

For your interview (if I'm not TOOOOOOO late), I'd also suggest that you add an alcoholic to your list of interviewees. So you should have the alcoholic (who abuses his drinking power), maybe even one who drinks on special occasions, and one who never drinks. That way, you have someone in the middle and neither's on the extreme side (i.e., "I never drink" and "I'm addicted to drinking").

OHH! And also, I think you should post statistics about the countries where people drink frequently AND their crime rates are directly related to the drinking problem *as well as* the stats of a country or two where its people drink but the crime rates aren't bad. Of course, since you are doing this research IN Australia, I think you should focus on Aussie statistics.

Good luck!!

I can't believe I missed out on your first thread like this