What can we expect?

What can we expect, when our culture is such that college kids (and even high school kids) believe it is alright to constantly get drunk, have loud parties, and roam through neighborhoods, shouting and leaving garbage every where? Why should we expect anything else? We have become a culture of irresposibility.

It doesn't matter if one's actions affect anyone else, as long as said actions feel good and are fun. College students are no longer the mature, thoughtful people of the past. And worse, people in their early 20s see no reason to stop behaving in such a way even after they graduate from college.

So, really, why is this news?

Reuters: 15 pct of workforce affected by alcohol: study---

NEW YORK (Reuters) - There may be an alcohol problem brewing in American offices, shops and factories.

An estimated 15 percent of the U.S. workforce consumes alcohol on the job, has a drink before going to work or otherwise is under the influence of alcohol, according to a study by the University of Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions.

That equates to some 19.2 million workers impaired during the workday via intoxication, withdrawal or hangover.

"Clear policies should be in place regarding alcohol impairment and impairment at work," wrote Doctor Michael Frone, principal investigator of the study.

"But despite management's responsibility for the development and enforcement of such policies, managers report elevated rates of consuming alcohol during the workday, working under the influence of alcohol, and working with a hangover," he said.

The institute said that the study, the first of workplace alcohol use to utilize a representative sample of the U.S. workforce, surveyed 2,805 employed adults across the United States from January 2002 through June 2003.

Young, single men figured prominently among those who were affected by alcohol, the results showed.

Drinking on the job, being under the influence or working with a hangover was more prevalent among men than women, more common among younger workers than older staff, and among unmarried workers than married workers, the study found.

Coming into work with a hangover was the most common finding.

Absolutely disgusting.