National rise of drug abuse concerns GCSU

     Nearly half of the nation’s 5.4 million full-time college students are substance abusers. Recent student studies done by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) show that abuse is on the rise, but if it is a problem at GCSU, it is very well hidden.
     Dr. Mary Jane Phillips, director of Counseling Services, hasn’t seen evidence of an increase of abuse among students, but thinks that is probably the result of students either not seeing the use as a problem, not telling or lying when asked.
     The Counseling Center currently has no data program in place to gauge how many students have an addiction problem, and can only go by what they are told.
     “Unless it’s one of the exceptions to confidentiality that we explain up front, like child abuse, we wouldn’t share that information with other people. That’s not true for everybody on campus, but it is for counselors. I think that one of the reasons that students often don’t tell us about alcohol or drug use is they think we’ll call their parents, or the police, or something like that, but we won’t,” Phillips said.
     The Counseling Center is the best option once substance abuse has become a problem. The center has highly trained counselors, all who have a master’s degree in Psychology. Counseling Services are always available, but can only help those who seek it.
     Several programs are currently in place to combat substance abuse. Freshmen are required to finish AlcoholEdu, a computer based test gauging the likelihood of substance abuse. Prime for Life, a six hour face-to-face program, is a shorter version of Georgia’s DUI School.
     Prime for Life targets higher risk groups such as Greek organizations and athletic teams and is also required for any student facing strike two with the police. GCSU also has Alcohol Awareness Week, held Oct. 14 to 20.
     Many students don’t see substance abuse as a problem here at GCSU.
     “I don’t think there is a drug problem here,” said Jamie Waugh, a senior art major. “You never hear about people overdosing, and it’s worse to smoke a cigarette than to smoke marijuana.”
     CASA reported two-thirds of school administrators felt substance abuse prevention is the responsibility of the students, so little is done until after a problem is present, or the police have become involved. College students generally are experiencing little or no supervision for the first time, and see college as a chance to do all the experimenting they might not have done otherwise.
     “For most students, college is a chance to be carefree, and worry about being grown up later,” said Megan Ford, senior mass communication major.
     Some students don’t always realize when the fun has become a problem. If the student often can’t remember what happened the night before, starts missing classes and failing, or starts avoiding friends who don’t partake in favor of those who do, it might be time for damage control.
     Substance abuse can and will take over a person’s life, usually on accident. People don’t often wake up one morning and decide to be an addict.
     Few will admit to using, even in the private, confidential atmosphere of the Counseling Center. This poses the question, if there is nothing wrong with it, why be afraid to admit it? For those who might have a problem and aren’t afraid, there is help available at 130 Lanier Hall.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 5 2007. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry