ADAI To Raise Awareness During National Collegiate Week

Sam Houston State University will join other colleges across the nation in working to prevent alcohol-related tragedies on their campuses with a week of awareness activities beginning Monday (Oct. 15).

That morning, students from the agricultural and industrial sciences department will kick off National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week by showing students how hunting under the influence can be dangerous.

During “Bows, guns, arrows and alcohol,” which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Mall Are, students will be able to see the effects for themselves as they wear beer goggles that show how drinking impairs their vision.

That afternoon, the Agricultural Ambassadors will present information on the prevalence of substance use among hunters and agricultural workers in "Hunting and Alcohol," at 2 p.m. in LSC Room 302.

On Tuesday (Oct. 16), health education associate professor Rosanne Keathley will “break the link” with a discussion on substance abuse and a miniature golf course game that will provide alcohol and drug messages at every hole. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area.

That afternoon, Keathley will lead "A Kat Named Norm," a discussion about alcohol norms and the misperceptions held by students, at 2 p.m. in LSC Room 307.

“She will provide statistics from surveys conducted at SHSU so that students can get a real glimpse of what's happening on campus,” said Michelle Lovering, proactive prevention chair for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative, which is sponsoring the NCAAW events. “The information is sure to surprise many.”

Wednesday’s (Oct. 17) activities include a demonstration by Dannell Price, education specialist from Region 6 Service Center, who will discuss components of the Region 6 driving safety and auto insurance premium reduction program, in the LSC Mall Area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as a condensed version of the “Drug and Alcohol Driving Awareness Program” at 2 p.m. in LSC Room 302.

Students will compete to become the NCAAW positive role model on Thursday (Oct. 18), with "Sam's Next Top Model," from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area.

Based on the popular TV show America's Next Top Model, students will first “strut their stuff down an orange runway while wearing beer goggles,” then participate in a “photo shoot with the stylish beer goggles” and finally compete in the ADAI spokesperson event, where they will recite a script on camera.

“The top male and female models, selected from a panel of judges, will get to ride in the Homecoming Parade iDrive car that evening,” Lovering said.

Students who participate will receive a souvenir photo of themselves or a group.

Also on Thursday, David Ficklen, medical doctor and instructor for the health and kinesiology department, will lead a discussion about the combination of alcohol and drugs, including the biochemical effects of over-the-counter, prescription, and illegal drugs, and what these combinations can do to our bodies.

"Deadly Combinations" will be held at 11 a.m. in LSC Room 315.

After the presentation, students are invited to participate in the "Pizza Game," which teaches students about what it means to be a part of a larger community and about how the decisions that we make affect others, according to Lovering.

The critical thinking exercise will be lead by Jessica Zuckero and Amberleigh Ficklen from the Residence Life Department at 1 p.m. in LSC Room 315. Pizza will be served at the end of the game.

The “Wheel of Misfortune,” which will deal students their fates should they abuse alcohol and drugs, will round out the awareness week on Friday (Oct. 19), from noon to 1 p.m. in LSC Room 302.

ADAI volunteers and the Respecting Ourselves and Others Through Education peer educators will also be on hand for games and snacks.

“National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week is observed nationally every October in order to bring campus-wide attention to the issue of alcohol abuse,” Lovering said. “The ADAI hopes that students who attend the week’s events will be better prepared to make positive choices about substance abuse.”

For more information, or for a full schedule of events, contact Lovering at 936.294.4347 or org_aai@shsu.edu, or visit www.shsu.edu/aai.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Oct. 11, 2007
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