BINGE DRINKING, TOBACCO, AND ILLICIT DRUG-USE AND INVOLVEMENT IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS - A SURVEY OF STUDENTS AT 140 AMERICAN COLLEGES

Binge drinking (heavy, episodic alcohol consumption), tobacco, and ill icit drug use among a random sample of college students at a nationall y representative sample of 140 American colleges were examined by mean s of a mail survey. Students were divided into three groups on the bas is of their involvement in athletics: whether they were involved, part ly involved, or not involved. In addition, individual correlates of bi nge drinking among athletically involved students were studied. The su rvey results indicated that students involved in college athletics eng aged in binge drinking and chewed tobacco more often than students not involved in athletics, but were less likely to be cigarette smokers o r marijuana users. The strongest predictors of binge drinking among st udents involved in athletics were residence in a fraternity ty or a so rority, a party lifestyle, engagement in other risky behaviors, and pr evious binging in high school. Coaches may play an important role in d iscouraging substance use and need to be part of campus prevention eff orts.