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  April 17, 2006
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campus newS

Town hall meeting sparks talk about drug, alcohol culture
By Mary Jessica Hammes
mhammes@uga.edu
Darcy Ryan, a fourth-year student from Duluth, said she’s seen fellow students admitted to downtown bars with nothing more than a library card for ID.

Alex Oliver, a third-year student from Alpharetta, said that UGA’s policy on student substance abuse isn’t harsh enough: “In K-12th grade, we’re told we wouldn’t be babied at college,” he said. “We’re being babied.”

“Are we too permissive here in what we allow to go on in the dorms?” President Michael Adams asked.

J.T. Jenson, student director of Watchdawgs, was frank in his response. “I don’t think it’s so permissive as apathetic.”

More than 100 students, community members and local media gathered at the Student Learning Center last week for a town hall meeting on alcohol and drug use and abuse on campus. Students spoke openly about their thoughts on UGA’s drug and alcohol culture and ways to curb it, and the panelists in addition to Adams—Rodney Bennett, vice president for student affairs; Mark Richt, head football coach; and Jamie Peper, Student Government Association president—took notes.

The meeting was spurred by the alcohol and drug-fueled death of student Lewis Fish in January, increasing substance abuse related arrests—many for second, third and fourth offenses—reported by UGA police and a national survey taken this past year in which UGA students participated. The survey showed that UGA students’ use of alcohol and drugs was higher than the national average.

“UGA and student life have reached a pivotal point in regard to alcohol and drug abuse,” said Bennett.

“You and I both know there are at least 50 places within walking distance where one can legally or illegally buy alcohol,” said Adams. “A binge culture is more accepted today than probably any other time in history. . . this is an issue much greater than this student body, this university.”

Suggestions from students included establishing a mandatory class for freshmen on drug and alcohol abuse; working with the city more effectively; creating a campus-wide panel made up of existing substance abuse education organizations; and alcohol-free alternative events.

Richt suggested the idea of an alcohol-free nightclub on campus, which quickly became popular with the crowd.

It’s up to students to play the lead in changing the alcohol and drug abuse culture on campus, said Adams.

“This is a good place,” he said. “We do care about each other. . . this is a big place, but not an impersonal place. We do care what happens to you.”
 


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