Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that has been consumed in drinks for most of human history. It may be referred to as a depressant that slow down vital functions, resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movements and others. In Ghana, most tertiary students have either tasted alcohol or resorted to it during parties, events or varied forms of gatherings in times of jubilation. According to studies, one in four individuals between the ages of 17 to 30 drink alcohol on monthly basis. Several studies have revealed that alcohol use during adolescence affects educational attainment by decreasing the number of years of schooling and likelihood of completing school. Some effects of alcohol consumption on tertiary students include blackouts, hangovers, and alcohol poisoning which leads to an elevated risk of neurodegeneration (particularly in regions of the brain responsible for learning and memory), impairments in functional brain activity, and neurocognitive defects (zeigler et al, 2004).
Negative effects of alcohol use can emerge in areas such as planning and executive functioning, memory spatial operations and attention (Brown et al 2000, Giancola & Mezzich,2000; Tapert & Brown 1999). Alcohol use could also affect performance by reducing the number of hours committed to studying, completing assignments and attending lectures
Speaking to some students of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, they emphasize on some irresponsible acts of students when drunk and the need to curb them. In attempts to address their concerns and also reduce the effects of alcohol on these tertiary students, WeCare Foundation adopted to the use of counter advertising in order to curb the effects alcohol has on tertiary students. The sole aim of this counter advertising is to highlight on some health effects of alcohol on individuals. With focus on whisky, WeCare foundation aimed to let consumers of whisky know that though the chosen advert being countered portrays elegance, there are some hidden effects this whisky company refuses to let consumers know. As such, the foundation countered on the tagline of the whisky company. Where WeCare foundation says, “your kingdom shouldn’t be the grave” as opposed to the whisky company saying “create your own kingdom”. In so doing the wrongful praise given to alcoholic drinks shall be unmasked and individuals and students at large shall put a stop to alcohol consumption by focusing on the health effects of alcohol consumed.
In conclusion, alcohol use, even in moderate doses leads to decrease in academic performance. The absence of any difference in academic performance among non-alcoholic and alcoholic users still stand significant. This is because there is a time factor for alcohol effects to be manifested. In general, one stands a chance of ruining his or her life due to alcohol consumption either through health related problems such use heart diseases, liver diseases, kidney failures and others.
AMOH SHADRACK KOJO
BACS21476
wecarefoundation 