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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 1988)
Programs help to abate drug use By Kathy Wright Emerald Contributor As the University community becomes increasingly aware of substance abuse, students faced with this problem are able to find help and support through a variety of campus organizations and programs. These organizations and pro grams. many of which are free, are working to heighten the awareness of drug abuse and combat its problems. The Student Health Center of fers many resources for students concerned about substance abuse, whether they themselves are the abusers or someone they know has a problem with drugs or alcohol. Dr. Jim Jackson, health center medical director, said the ma jority of students he sees do not come to the health center admit ting they have a drug problem. Rather, it is often only after a frank conversation with Jackson the person will begin to seek help. Students who do come in for treatment on their own usually do so because a roommate, girlfriend or boyfriend has shown concern, Jackson added. Once the most important step of admitting the problem has been overcome, the health center then can provide its ser vices to help the student. Besides prescribing medica tion, which Jackson said is done only in extreme cases of substance abuse, he also will make referrals to George Buelow, health center termed iate step between admit ting the problem and seeing a professional. The peer advisers are upper-division undergraduate and graduate students, and Whetsell said sometimes students with drug abuse problems find it less threatening to talk to a person their own age. “The key is to create an en vironment where students feel comfortable admitting they have a problem," Whetsell emphasized. Peer Health Advising also of fers educational presentations on substance abuse that are available upon request by cam pus groups. The Student Counseling Center is another resource on campus where students can find out about substance abuse and receive support. Besides in dividual couseling, it will spon sor two support groups this term: Students Concerned with Drug and Alcohol Issues, Mon days and Wednesdays at 4 p.m., and Relapse Prevention Group. Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. Both are free, as are all counseling center services. behavioral norms on campus. Gregg Lobisser, assistant dean of students, said this means changing policies, look ing at cirriculum and providing ' a program of education and counseling support systems. COSAFE includes a program that many students are already familiar with, the Impact Train ing Program. This program, conducted by Michael Leeds, focuses on substance use and abuse, examining how the lives of people close to a chemically dependent person are disrupted. More than 4.000 students have participated in Impact since it began on campus about two years ago. Usually, about 80 students attend each impact Training session, and sometimes certain groups, such as residence halls or fraternities and sororities, will attend together. The length of the ses sions vary. The next Impact session — Feb. 12. 13 and 14 — is open to anyone, and the cost is $75 a person. Some scholarships are available, and undergraduate or graduate credit may be obtained ‘The key is to create an environment where students feel comfortable admitting they have a problem.’ Dixie Whetsell substance abuse counselor. Buelow is available for counseling, and he also will lead a support group this term called Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA), for people who where brought up by alcoholic parents. It will meet for about two hours each week and is free, as are all consulta tions with physicians and counselors. “Regardless of what kinds of problems students have, they can call ine anytime, at work or home," Buelow said. The health center also houses a health education center where students can find current, easy to-understand books and pam phlets on substance abuse. The books can be checked out for two weeks. Dixie Whetsell, health center Lifestyle Planning Program coordinator, said students are welcome to drop in at Peer Health Advising, where ad visers can provide information about substance abuse and offer counseling. Whetsell describes Peer Health Advising as the in The center also offers ACOA groups, as well as outreach pro grams designed to teach any in dividual or department how to approach the problem of substance abuse. “Anytime when students wonder if they should be con cerned, they probably ought to be... if it is about themselves or someone else, they should not hesitate to come in," counselor Edel Davenport said. Davenport stresses the counseling cenier also is for students who do not have a drug problem but just may be curious about substance abuse. The Office of the Dean of Students plays a major role in developing resources for the substance abuse problem on campus. In February 1986, it implemented the University's Campus Organization for a Substance Abuse Free Environ ment (COSAFE), a comprehen sive organization working toward changing attitudes and by writing a three-to-five-pagc paper afterward. People should contact Lobisser at the dean of student’s office for reservations or more information. Bunny Nosier, Office of Academic Advising counselor and a group facilitator at previous Impacts, said her of fice often provides direct refer rals to resources on and off cam pus. Academic advising counselors see many students, and are able to spot substance abuse problems. “We’re sensitive people and a good link to get help for the stu dent," Nosier said, adding con fidentiality is extremely important. 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