Pubdate: Mon, 22 Sep 2008
Source: Sidelines, The (Middle Tennessee State U, TN Edu)
Copyright: 2008 The Sidelines
Contact: http://www.mtsusidelines.com/main.cfm?include=submit
Website: http://www.mtsusidelines.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2861
Author: Jessica Pace
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

THE CONSEQUENES OF ALTERING THE MIND

Students Try To Decide Whether Drugs And Alcohol Are Worth The Consequence

In my senior year of high school, my English teacher, out of 
curiosity, asked our class of 30 students how many of us were 
planning to experiment with drugs and alcohol in college. All but one 
student's hand went up.

With the freedom that awaits students at college, some come to school 
with the inclination and intention to experiment with mind-altering 
substances. With a few exceptions, this inclination fits naturally 
into many students' days. The question of if they are going to get 
drunk or high at some point is like asking if they are going to get 
dressed that day.

Moreover, locating "the goods" is not a difficult feat.

"If I wanted them right now, I know where I can get pot, I know where 
I can get coke, I know where I can get acid, I know where I can get 
'shrooms," says a freshman journalism student who wishes to remain anonymous.

According to Judicial Affairs, the office where students are sent for 
violating school policies, the number one problem on campus is 
alcohol-related cases that happen within residence halls and on Greek Row.

Judicial Affairs keeps statistics on campus violations and releases 
them once a year. Last year, there were 371 alcohol-related incidents reported.

Assistant Dean of Judicial Affairs and Mediation Services Laura 
Sosh-Lightsy says that punishment for students involved differs from 
case to case.

"It depends on prior discipline on how serious the offense on the 
people affected," Sosh-Lightsy says. "For the first time, you get 
disciplinary probation and an alcohol education class. The second 
time, you get extended probation and counseling. The third time, 
you're suspended for a semester at minimum, and suspension length 
only increases from there."

Tennessee state legislature has also made a new law requiring that an 
individual's parents are notified if he or she is caught drinking 
under 21 years of age.

Campus police, who could not be reached for comment, have a separate 
legal process when dealing with students involved with drugs and 
alcohol on campus, though Judicial Affairs always receives a report.

There are a multitude of reasons attributed to why students run the 
risk of getting caught but knowing that alcohol and narcotics are 
illegal on campus.

"Some people just want to experiment to say they've done it," says 
one freshman English major who wishes to remain anonymous. "For 
others, the pressure of college is too much."

"Students are away from home, so they're learning who they are and 
what they're about," Sosh-Lightsy says. "They have a newfound 
freedom. Also some have low self-esteem and use alcohol to mask the 
issue, thinking it makes them more socially apt."

Many students simply see drugs and alcohol as a source of fun, 
according to an anonymous junior Spanish major.

"The appeal of drugs and alcohol as a way to be cool is usually over 
after high school," the Spanish major says. "By the time you're in 
college, if you're doing drugs, it's because you enjoy them."

Many of the students I talked to say that alcohol, whether an 
individual is 21-years-old or not, is a popular choice because some 
students find it a pleasant substance that goes hand-in-hand with 
activities such as tailgating and sex.

There are dangers involved with alcohol consumption like drunken 
driving and alcohol poisoning, but the fact that MTSU is a dry campus 
may have a negative influence on students' use of alcohol.

"A dry campus creates a stressful environment," the freshman 
journalism major jokingly says.

Many students agree that there is some validity in his remark, saying 
that a wet campus could potentially reduce disasters like drinking 
and driving outside of school. They say that students would be more 
inclined to stay in their dorms and drink with friends rather than 
venture out to massive parties to drink and possibly drive back to 
campus while intoxicated.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, one sophomore student went to an off-campus 
party, where he consumed upward of 10 drinks. His night ended with an 
overnight hospital visitation after he was assaulted by four others 
at the party.

He was cited for underage consumption and must appear in court in 
November, but he expresses no concern that nothing is being done to 
penalize the people who attacked him.

"What seemed at the time like an assault were really just drunk guys 
beating each other up," he says.

Regardless of negative consequence, campus policies and police, it 
seems students are going to consume alcohol and narcotics.

"It's a tricky subject, but I think discipline is administered 
appropriately," Sosh-Lightsy says.

Realistically, most students are not going to avoid drugs and alcohol 
entirely. But whether it is through one's own good judgment or the 
threat of campus policy, individuals will hopefully learn how to 
budget their mind-altering substance use so their education won't suffer.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom