Shannon Tatum<\/strong> Spring Break.\u00a0 To many of us, this equates to lots of sun, no classes for a week, parties and new environments. This combination can lead to wonderful memories and a well needed break from the stress and pressures of being a college student.<\/p>\n However, when you add binge drinking and the use illegal drugs to this picture, some students do not take the necessary precautions needed to be safe during this time.\u00a0 Do not be the student that has memories of alcohol poisoning, rape, STD\u2019s, arrests, robberies, assaults and in some extreme cases, even death.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t want to put a damper on all the fun you hope to have during this much anticipated time of the year, but I do want you to be aware that sometimes things don\u2019t go as planned, especially when you mix overindulgence of alcohol and the use of drugs with new environments.<\/p>\n It is no secret that many risky behaviors increase with the use of alcohol and drugs. The effects of continued binge drinking can also lead to increased risk of health problems such as injuries, violence, liver diseases, and cancer according to the Centers for Disease Control.\u00a0 So don\u2019t get so smashed that you can\u2019t make good decisions.\u00a0 Do you really need alcohol to have fun?\u00a0 If you answered yes to this question, you may have some other issues you need to work on.<\/p>\n Students should also choose Spring Break destinations wisely.\u00a0 Do your research. Don\u2019t go to places that are known for having high crime statistics against Spring Breakers.\u00a0 AVVO, the largest and only free website that offers ratings and free profiles to 90 percent of practicing lawyers and MDs in the United States, compiled a list of the most dangerous Spring Break locations in 2011. The top ten were: If these destinations are on your itinerary it may be a good idea for you to use these tips provided by the National Crime Prevention Council: It\u2019s ok to have fun, that is the purpose of the break.\u00a0 But remember that some of the intentions of the people around may not be in your best interest.\u00a0 My simple advice is to BE SAFE while having fun.<\/p>\n The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Shannon Tatum Blue & White Flash \/ Graduate Student Spring Break.\u00a0 To many of us, this equates to lots of sun, no classes for a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"editor_plus_post_options":"{}","editor_plus_copied_stylings":"{}","_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/965"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=965"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/965\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nBlue & White Flash \/ Graduate Student<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Orlando, Fla.
\n\u2022 Daytona Beach, Fla.
\n\u2022 Las Vegas, Nev.
\n\u2022 Myrtle Beach, S.C.
\n\u2022 West Palm Beach, Fla.
\n\u2022 South Padre Island, Texas
\n\u2022 New Orleans, La.
\n\u2022 Panama City, Fla.
\n\u2022 Jacksonville, Fla.
\n\u2022 Miami, Fla.<\/p>\n
\n*Learn about the
\ncountry you are
\nvisiting
\n*Check in regularly
\n*Be Inconspicuous
\n*Use the 360 degree
\nATM scan
\n*Never wander off or
\nleave with a stranger
\n*Monitor drinking<\/p>\n