According to recent articles, the 18 to 25 age group – – so-called Gen Z — is turning out to be far more open about their difficulties with drinking than were previous generations. Here’s a link:
Gen Z is talking openly about sobriety — and the stories are darker than you think
That sounds to me like a good thing, in view of the long history of stigma around alcoholism. However, the authors go on to note that in spite of the shift in attitude, “…young adults in their 20s still have the highest rates of risky drinking, and are the least likely to receive treatment compared to other age groups.”
So that much hasn’t changed.
College-age kids have long been known for their drinking exploits. The schools they attend are not only aware of that, but in some cases, may actively promote it.
I recall one meeting of educators to discuss recent incidents of dangerous drinking among their students. As concerned as they were with preventing further incidents, they nonetheless openly worried that overpublicizing the problem would result in their institution gaining a reputation among prospective students as a “no fun” place to go to school.
Translation: One few 18-year-olds would want to attend.
I was startled. A drunken student takes a dive off a balcony, and we’re worrying about future enrollment? Yes, their expressions read, why aren’t you?
And indeed, we do still have annual popular rankings of America’s best “party” schools —last I looked, the U. of California at Santa Barbara had grabbed the top spot in the most recent poll.
I bet applications are up.
So if it’s true that Gen Z does drink less than previous generations, I suspect the key lies in the most obvious explanation: that kids today are subbing pot products for alcohol.
Something to consider: close to 70% of Gen Z respondents in one survey expressed their clear preference for cannabis over booze. Not just in the traditional form, smoking pot, but through consumption of edibles and more recently, those ubiquitous THC canned drinks.
Since 18-25 year olds are also a higher risk group for vehicular accidents, we should probably be more vigorous in addressing the problem of driving while stoned — for a heavy edible user, that’s almost a certainty.
Here’s an opinion piece from Keith Humphries of Stanford on the need for reform in the driving laws:
States made marijuana use legal. Now they should get it off the road.
One recommendation: A widespread public information campaign on the hazards of cannabis use when driving. A campaign that would target not only stoned drivers, but also people who are likely to be in the vehicle with them at the time.
After all, passengers are at risk as well.
Humphrey makes the point that “Because cannabis sellers profit by encouraging and maintaining heavy use” — that’s where a disproportionate share of pot company profits come from — “[then] imposing adequate regulation and counteracting large price decreases… could have the side effect of making the roads safer.”
Let’s hope so. The rest of us use those roads, too.
