Study Finds College Athletes Less Apt to Party than Other Students
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iStock/Thinkstock(INDIANAPOLIS) — College is a time for experimentation as has been well documented, but unfortunately, it often involves underage drinking and illegal drug use. While most who attend an institution of higher learning are intelligent enough to understand the risks involved, it seems that athletes are more cognizant about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.
At least that seems to be the upshot of a study released this month by the NCAA. From the statistics gathered by researchers over a nine-year period, those who play sports are less inclined to drink and take drugs than the general student body.
When it comes to smoking marijuana, about 32 percent of the student population admits to trying it as opposed to 21.9 percent of NCAA athletes.
It’s not a huge disparity when it comes to alcohol, however. The student average is 81.4 percent compared to 80.4 percent of those who compete in sports.
The numbers for athletes in Division I are better with 78 percent having used alcohol and 16 percent who smoked pot.
Researchers believes that athletes are more health-conscious, which explains why they’re less apt to abuse booze or drugs.
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