OCR Text |
Show The Signpost -Wednesday, Oct. 26, 1988 7 positive reinforcement for him. Gone are the burnout, hangovers, three-day binges and the struggle between values within himself. "I'm happy because I feel like I'm me again. I'm the real Rodney again. Before, I was only God knows what," said Rodney. Whether our involvement is personal or through family and friends, all our lives are touched in some way with substance abuse. Relationships are destroyed, dreams are lost, people die. It doesn't have to be that way. You're not trapped. You still have the ability to make the important decisions in your life. Some steps to recovery include a strong desire to quit (and understanding why you want to quit), involvement in peer and support groups, and accepting the fact that you will die if you don't get help. Peer counseling centers are located at Weber State and throughout the community. Help is available. But, you have to take the first step and either admit that you have a problem or help someone you love admit that they do. Is it worth it? Rodney thinks it is. "When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I think is, 'Thank God I'm alive.' I've got another challenge, another day to execute what I'm meant to do." Red ribbons tied to peer counselors By Tim Fairholm Special Projects Asst. Editor Twenty-five hundred red ribbons will set the campus ablaze during Homecoming week in support of a drug-free America, according to Mark Burnside, WSC peer counselor. The nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign sponsored by the Utah Federation for Drug-Free Youth --hopes this program will help encourage students to avoid substance abuse and increase awareness of the peer counseling program on campus, he said. Awareness will be increased by workshops and class presentations given by the peer counselors, said Mutaz Al-Qirim, a WSC peer counselor. "We're students too; we have the same peers." The stress of school is one of the causes for the drug problem on college campuses, Weber State included, said Al-Qirim. People use drugs for the short-term effect, but he said the long term-effect is the killer. He also said you must realize the effects of the drugs and what they can be substituted with to overcome drug problems. r - -! ' - " 4n ' .. I - V - . 5 ' fit'"' I 4 ; ' ' J I V : j m -' - i I i SI? - - The Peer Counseling Center is under the direction of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources and is not associated with the college. "Everything that happens h';re is strictly confidential. The information is not passed on to school administrators or to the police," said Burnside. Tabulation has just begun of the 1,000 questionaires distributed to WSC students by the Peer Counseling Center. A random sample of the results indicates 40 percent of those questioned have been involved in substance abuse at least once a month. Sixty percent of the students claimed that two out of five of their closest friends abuse drugs, according to Burnside. As for Weber's first year participating in the Red Ribbon Campaign, Burnside said, "our major focus is prevention, but for those who have started we're there to say there's help." The Peer Counseling Center is open weekday afternoons and is located in the Union Building, Room 419. For more information, call 626-6973 or 626-6860. es Hey ? Look for upcoming activities and workshops throughout the year. Have you got a problem with substance abuse? Do you know someone that does? Weber State College has Peer Counselors who want to help you. WARNING SIGNS OF ALCOHOLISM OR DRUG ABUSE 1. Do you feel guilty about your drinking or using of drugs? 2. Do you think excessively about drinking or taking drugs? 3. Do you usually get drunk when you drink? 4. Do you often miss work or come in late? 5. Do you hide how much you drink or sue drugs? 6. Do you forget things that happen while drinking 7. Does you personality change when you drink or get high? 8. Do you drink or take drugs to excape your feelings? 9. Do you start out to have "only a couple of drinks" and end up drunk? 10. Would you be happier if you could ceontrol your use of alcohol and other drugs? Alcoholism and drug dependency are treatable diseases. To find out more about how you can help yourself or a friend call 626-6860, wsc Drug & alchohol Peer Counseling Program. ''?winm'Bws&aaatfa HOME 1 ENTERTAINMENT -3 HEADQUARTERS E.T. Party Pack (2) Movie Rentals (3) 2-litter bottles of Pepsi Products (1) 5 gallon Bag of Popcorn only $6.99 Mon.-Thurs. $9.99 Fri. & Sat, Offer Valid Oct. 26 - Nov 2 Enter Our Drawing Win one of the Following Items: Ten Speed Bicycle E.T. Doll E.T. Commerative Glasses E.T. Video Fulfills Requirement for S5.00 Rebate on E.T. Video Purchase |