Today@Sam Article

RIDD Week To Take ‘One Step At A Time’

Feb. 25, 2011
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative will work to Reduce Irresponsible Drinking and Drug use “one step at a time” use through a week of activities Feb. 28 through March 4.

The seventh annual RIDD Week will bring to campus experts in the field of alcohol and drug awareness who will conduct innovative sessions targeting substance abuse laws and polices, refusal and protective skills, campus and community resources, and alcohol and drug awareness information.”

“Each day will involve alcohol and drug awareness sessions combined with innovative learning activities,” said ADAI coordinator Rosanne Keathley. “All of the events are designed to help our Bearkats make smart decisions that can positively impact their lives and the lives of other Bearkats.”

RIDD Week will encourage students to “Change the Channel on Alcohol and Cancer” on Monday (Feb. 28), with a two-part program in conjunction with Colleges Against Cancer.

The first part will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Mall Area, and part two, a presentation by Jodi Young from the American Cancer Society and Kalyn Cavazos from Colleges Against Cancer, will be from 1-2 p.m. in LSC Room 304.

“These sessions are geared to help teach our Kats about the dangerous link that alcohol has on the development, treatment, and survivorship of various types of cancer that effect the throat, mouth, lungs, liver, esophagus, larynx, breast, colon, and rectum,” Keathley said.

On Tuesday, the Army ROTC Bearkat Battalion will encourage students to “Know Your Limits” and shoot past them from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Intramural Field No. 1.

Alcohol awareness information focusing on U.S. serving sizes, blood alcohol concentration, and binge drinking will be demonstrated, and students will have the opportunity to wear “beer goggles” and participate in giant games, paintball shooting, and rock wall climbing activities.

On Wednesday, the health and kinesiology department, Recreational Sports and area businesses will celebrate Gen. Sam Houston’s birthday the healthy way, through the “One Step at a Time Health Fair, Scavenger Hunt, and Sam Birthday Walk” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area. Participants who complete all three events will receive a pedometer to help them keep taking steps to reduce alcohol and drug use.

That afternoon, Emily Roper, assistant professor of kinesiology, will present “From Bullying to Hazing: Preventing Bad Behaviors from Escalating” from 1-2 p.m. in LSC Room 320.

“This academic session will discuss the role that alcohol and drugs have on acts of hazing and bullying among college students and the organizations with which they belong,” Keathley said.

Students can finish the day by joining Program Council and Recreational Sports in their “Get Your Swole on Fitness Expo” from 4-7 p.m. at the Health and Kinesiology Center Courts 1 and 2.

On Thursday, SHSU Greeks will encourage safe practices with the “Greek Carnival: Brothers and Sisters against Drunk Driving,” hosted by Omega Delta Phi Fraternity and Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area.

“The ADAI also will demonstrate first aid for alcohol poisoning and provide safety tips for a safe spring break,” Keathley said.

That evening, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity will “Tell Me Something I Do Not Know” at 6 p.m. in the LSC Theater, followed by a peer-led discussion detailing responsible use of alcohol.

RIDD week will end on Friday after a presentation on “Addicted: Foods, Drugs, Alcohol”—from 9 a.m. to noon in the LSC Mall Area—during which the Bearkats For Positive Body Image and the SH Counseling Center will spotlight the addictive behaviors associated with eating disorders and alcohol and drug use.

“RIDD Week events are designed to help our Bearkats make smart decisions that can positively impact their lives and the lives of other Bearkats,” Keathley said.

All events are open for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.

Student participants will receive SWAAT points, pedometers and T-shirts for completing the activities planned for the week. The organization with the highest number of participants also will receive a cash award, sponsored by Student Activities.

For more information on RIDD Week, alcohol and drug programming, or the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative, contact Keathley at 936.294.1171 or hpe_rsk@shsu.edu.

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