The Loss of Love

Only a few days ago, a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia was murdered. She was not killed by some mentally insane psychopath or serial killer, but instead, was strangled by her own drunk boyfriend. The morning on which Yeardly was found dead, the police immediately went to her boyfriend. George Huguely was still asleep, however, and did not have much recollection of the previous night, due to his heavy partake in binge drinking. Although he was not in a clear state of mind, Huguely's actions remain, in that he drunkenly beat and strangled his girlfriend.

As one of my friends attends the University of Virginia, she called me to share with my this tragic and horrifying story. The fellow students, friends, and family of Yeardley Love are all in utter disbelief not only have they lost their loved one, but also how it happened, as alcohol managed to create a killer.

In the story of Yeardley Love, the extreme effects of alcohol is apparent. Though college campuses do reiterate the ways to safely drink alcohol and abstain from binge drinking, people often forget that it even alcohol poisoning is not the only thing that can be dangerous. Alcohol effects a person's judgment and behavior, and as proven at UVA, can completely change a person's actions.

College students today, take an attitude that is often too casual when it comes to binge drinking and alcohol abuse. They think that it is simply a way to have fun and conform to the college "partying" age. Students need to be encouraged to abstain from binge drinking not only for the sake of their safety, but also for the safety of others, in order to avoid dangerous and tragic results, such as the painful loss of Yeardley Love.