Nearly 49 percent of full-time college students -- about 3.8 million people -- binge drink and/or abuse drugs, according to a recent study.

The study, Wasting the Best and the Brightest: Substance Abuse at America's Colleges and Universities, was conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA).

Researchers, who polled 2,000 students and 400 administrators between 1993 and 2005, also found that 22.9 percent of full-time college students, which accounts for 1.8 million people, "met the medical criteria for substance abuse and dependence." Only 8.5 percent of the general population met the criteria.

Joseph Califano, chairman and president of CASA, said in a statement that college administrations are to blame for substance abuse and for the consequences that accompany it on campuses.

"College presidents, deans and trustees have facilitated a college culture of alcohol and drug abuse that is linked to poor student academic performance, depression, anxiety, suicide, property damage, vandalism, fights and a host of medical problems," Califano said in a statement.

Califano also believes the failure of "Pontius Pilate presidents and parents, deans, trustees and alumni" to become part of the solution to this matter is another problem.

Annemarie Mountz, Penn State spokeswoman, said she doesn't believe the reason for abuse of alcohol and drugs at Penn State's campus is the faculty's fault.

In fact, she said, the school has a number of programs and activities for students to enjoy that are free from drugs and alcohol, such as LateNight Penn State and others at the University Health Center "for people who have been identified, or identify themselves as having drinking problems."

Mountz added that, although drugs and alcohol abuse are an issue at Penn State, it is a problem found at college campuses nationwide.

Additionally, the study found members of fraternities and sororities drink and use drugs more than non-members.

The study said 88 percent of fraternity and sorority members drink compared to 67 percent of non-members, and 64 percent of these members binge drink compared to 37 percent of non-members. The study went on to report 21 percent of these members use marijuana versus 16 percent of non-members.

Grant Miller, the Interfraternity Council (IFC) president, said he sees the abuse of drugs and alcohol at Penn State as a campus-wide issue and not one rooted in the greek community.

"Involvement in any social group when you're interacting with your peers can cause more contagious behavior," Miller said.

Miller also believes drinking at a fraternity is one of the safest places to engage in such activities because of the positive response to their new policies, which restrict the social functions a fraternity can have.

The IFC is recognizing the drinking and drug issues at Penn State via Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS). TIPS is an enrichment program to help chapters learn about serving alcohol and intervening when someone is in need of it, Miller said.

A representative from the Panhellenic Council was not available for comment.

Brian Mauro, chairperson for the Commission for Substance Abuse and Prevention (CSAP) at Penn State, said the commission is taking initiatives to give students alcohol- and drug-free activity options.

CSAP recently received a $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to develop and implement plans at all Penn State campuses to address high-risk drinking and drug abuse.

Mauro said they hope to begin environmental management strategies, which would include adding activities for students that discourage drug and alcohol use and abuse, along with educational initiatives. The chairman also hopes to inform students who choose not to drink or use drugs that they are not alone.

Bob Ruff (junior-English) said he wouldn't consider drinking a problem at Penn State, but he does notice people planning their weekends around drinking. As a player on the rugby team, Ruff said he doesn't drink much during the season; instead, he and some of his teammates opt for activities that don't involve alcohol, such as LateNight Penn State.

"There is actually some fun stuff there," Ruff said.

Morgan Murtha (sophomore-health policy administration) said her weekends often involve drinking.

"If you're not drinking, you're bored," Murtha said. "There's always an excuse to drink."