Drinking, drugs drop at Drew

The statistics for alcohol and substance abuse at Drew decreased 21 percent this semester, making it the largest reduction in years, according to an analysis conducted by Associate Dean of Campus Life and Student Affairs Frank Merckx.
According to Merckx, the statistic is derived from calculating the number of documentations students have received for underage or binge drinking and the number of substance-related transports that occur within the semester.
“The statistic shows an additional 20 percent decrease, compared to last year’s analysis, making this the largest reduction we’ve seen in the statistic for substance and alcohol abuse in comparison to other years,” Merckx said.
“I was happy when I saw this result—it shows that we are headed in the right direction.”
Several students were shocked to learn of this result—they expected the statistic to increase.
“I wouldn’t think the statistic would decrease, considering all of the craziness that took place on Halloween night and from the talks we’ve been having with the administrators in the residence halls,” Stephanie Goddard (’10) said. 
Edmund Oribhabor (’13) shared similar sentiments.
“It’s really a shock to know that, considering all the freshmen transports that have been taking place.”
 Interim Dean of Campus Life and Student Affairs, Ginny Samuel, expressed her enthusiasm for the decrease in documented substance abuse.
“Not only does it show we are heading in the right direction, it shows the increase of responsibility among the students,” Samuel said.
When asked, administrators cited several possible reasons for the decline in documented substance and alcohol abuse.
“Students seem to be a lot more conscious of the personal decisions they make and how they may affect in them in the long run. They also appear to be more aware of the danger associated with binge drinking,” Merckx said.
In addition, Merckx denounced the belief that freshmen are the main cause for transports that have taken place. “Sometimes people are quick to place blame on the first-year students,” he said. “This stat sums of the progress of all the classes, so it’s not just the first-years. This is a campus-wide issue.”
Coordinator for Substance Awareness and Educational Programs Audra Tonero echoed Merckx’s statement, citing the benefit of educating incoming students—specifically on the dangers of substance and alcohol abuse.
“The way we conduct freshmen orientation has changed. When we have these proactive discussions centered on drugs or alcohol abuse, it’s usually with small groups of 20 to 40 students and we encourage student involvement,” Tonero, who is also a licensed addiction counselor, said.
Tonero explained the advantage of conducting these informational sessions in smaller groups and how it has helped generate positive feedback.
“It’s a lot more personal and students are more receptive because I try to take an approach that’s not punishing or judgmental, but that’s more engaging,” Tonero said.
Merckx also attributes the decrease in the substance abuse and alcohol statistic to the open dialogues that have taken place between administrators and students, and the discourse students have with one another. “This past week, we’ve gotten a lot of helpful feedback from students in the dormitories, some of which we are acting on. Also, Resident Assistants reinforce the dangers of binge drinking to students.”
University President Bob Weisbuch, who has previously stated his dedication to combating binge drinking in his annual address, said that although he is encouraged by the data, he is not satisfied with it.
“So far three students were transported to hospitals because they were in such bad condition. One student is too much. Are we happy that the stats are down?—absolutely— but is this where we want to leave it? The answer for students, faculty members, and staff should be no,” Weisbuch said.
Similarly, Weisbuch detailed the role his task force will play in helping to ensure the statistic for substance and alcohol abuse stays low. “We will be looking towards the [Student Government Association] and for the leadership of the students,” Weisbuch said. “Concrete proposals, leading to actions that make the campus more conducive to intellectual seriousness and ethical awareness will be sought from all members of the taskforce, but especially from the students.”
Administrators and students were in accord with Weisbuch, stating the decrease in documented substance and alcohol abuse is the first step to tackling this campus-wide issue.
“The results of the statistics are good, but there are always improvements that can be made. My next concern is now that we have this information, what’s the next step?” Tonero said.
Oribhabor furthered this claim, stating that more responsibility should be taken by students. “Yes the administrators can do more,” Oribhabor said. “But we, as students, need to realize we’re in college now, and as far as keeping the stat down for substance abuse and alcohol abuse, it’s up to the students to continue taking responsibility for their own actions.”
 

1 comments

Ethan

Fri Nov 20 2009 15:10

This is welcome news, but I question the significance of a 20% drop in incidents over one year. You'd have to know more about the trend over the last several years to really know if the current level is an improvement over what we typically see, or just an return to typical levels of incidents after an abnormally bad year the year before. Also, the sample size is important. If there were 80 incidents last year, and 100 incidents the previous year, that's a pretty significant 20% drop. If there were 8 incidents last year, and 10 the previous year, that's also a 20% drop, but probably not all that significant. A graph with some actual values would have been instructive.

I agree with Weisbuch, one transport is too many. Periodic alcohol transports should in no way be a normal or accepted part of the college experience.

Add comment


I am not posting spam. I understand posting spam or other comments that are unrelated to this article will cause my comment to be flagged for deletion and possibly cause my IP address to be permanently banned from this server.

Enter the characters in the image above:

log out