College students seem to be more familiar with the portable breathalyzer than most other generations, but it is still a device that becomes increasingly prevalent as people choose to take a more responsible path when their drinking is concerned. For me, breathalyzers are a sign of a drinking problem, should you personally own one.
For college students, a personal breathalyzer seems like a great way to avoid DUI, but the truth is different. It is a great way to get people to have drinking contests at the bar. Most of the time I have seen one of these devices, I am at the bar, enjoying my beer, and I see a fraternity member of some sort pull out this device and announce that he is trying to determine who can get the high score.
It was played out before the first time I heard someone say it, and I do not encourage behavior like that. We call that ‘binge drinking’ and I tend to avoid it, since people die from it fairly regularly.
Drinking among college and high school students is more prevalent in the United States than abroad; foreign cultures introduce their children to alcohol at a younger age to engender responsible drinking, and it is an effective method, most certainly. Instances of binge drinking (5+ drinks in one evening) are significantly more common in the US than any other country, except maybe Russia.
I am not here to judge people for drinking, I certainly enjoy my share of beer. But I am responsible for my actions when I drink, and I know better than to drive a car or get belligerent with anyone under the influence.