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Leave spring break with memories, not STDs

By Corey Spring

It’s hardly a secret what’s on most students’ minds during spring break. The stereotypical checklist goes something like this: Get a tan, drink 12 beers, have sex. Repeat.

According to a University of Wisconsin study, 43.6 percent of college women and 75 percent of college men reported being drunk on a daily basis over spring break. Those numbers are high, but maybe they aren’t entirely surprising to the students who engage in said drinking. Findings in a 2006 study by the American Medical Association might be, however. That study found that nearly three out of five women know friends who had unprotected sex during spring break, and that one in five respondents regretted the sexual activity they engaged in during spring break. Twelve percent also said they felt forced or pressured into having sex.

“These survey results are extremely disturbing,” said former AMA president Dr. Edward Hill, “because it brings up an entirely new set of issues, including increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, blackouts and violence.”

Most students know that alcohol increases the likelihood that they’ll engage in risky behavior. The oft-overlooked part of the equation, however, is that many won’t care at the time and only regret the previous night’s actions under the sobering light of day.

Some companies are trying to do their part to encourage safer practices during spring break. The LifeStyles condom brand, for example, has taken a unique approach with their “makeout booth.” According to the company, the makeout booth is a photo booth… which also dispenses a complimentary strip of condoms along with its pictures. A few of the booths have popped up in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, and San Antonio. The company plans to bring the booth to Panama City, Florida, as well as several other popular spring break destinations.

In reality, though, the responsibility of being safe when drinking or having sex during spring break is yours, just like it is every other week of the year. It’s not that you can’t have a few beers on the beach or hop on the good foot and do the bad thing while you’re on vacation, but no one wants to spend their spring break holed up in the hospital because of something stupid they did when they were drunk… or worse yet, be left wondering if their period is late because they didn’t use protection when they were on vacation in March.

Know your boundaries and talk about them with your friends — in fact, knowing their limits is just as important as knowing yours. There’s no need to have a “very special episode of Full House” about it, but discussing where your line is with sex and alcohol with the group you’re going out with could go a long way to helping you out of a difficult situation when you find yourself unable to stand at a Cancun nightclub. The street goes both ways on this one, though. If know your friend has had too much to drink or is in a questionable scenario with a stranger, it’s your responsibility to take care of their ass, same as they’d take care of you.

Additionally, stock up on the safer-sex supplies. You know you’re going to be using them anyway, right? Then just make them another item on your list of things to pack with your luggage. There’s nothing like being caught empty-handed right at a time when you need a condom most; plus your idiot friends will probably thank you for it when they realize they forgot to bring any.

For visitors traveling to Mexico, Europe, or another international locale, get a handle on the local drinking laws before you leave. Sure, you know that the drinking age is 18 and up, but do you know if there’s an open container policy? What about public drunkenness? Being knowledgeable and respectful about your destination city’s law can help you avoid a none-too-memorable trip to the local police station.

Remember, you’ve earned your vacation, so have some fun... if that means bumping uglies, than by all means, bump those uglies. If it means hot sand and cold Coronas, than grab your sunglasses. All we’re saying is that there’s a right way and a wrong way to do everything… and you definitely want to do spring break the right way.

Originally Published: February 27, 2008

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