APPALACHIAN ZOOMS IN ON ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA

Alcohol is the No. 1 substance abuse concern on Appalachian State
University's campus, followed by marijuana abuse, local experts say.

Alcohol - The No. 1 Concern

The addiction most prevalent in college is alcohol because of
"college drinking games and it is socially acceptable," David
Mclemore, Blue Ridge Addiction Recovery Network group counselor and
staff member, said.

Dale Kirkley, Appalachian's alcohol and drug coordinator, said the
perception that high-risk drinking is the norm in college is wrong.

However, alcohol abuse far overshadows all other drug abuse combined,
Kirkley said.

Twenty-five percent of Appalachian students report never having a
drink or drinking less than once a month, Kirkley said, referring to
confidential representative surveys performed on Appalachian's campus
for the past 10 years.

"Fifteen percent don't drink at all and 40 percent drink moderately," he said.

Samantha M. Ledford, a junior English major, believes in alcohol abstinence.

"I've never drank alcohol," she said. "The most common reason I've
been given that I should try [alcohol] is that it will make you do
things you wouldn't normally do. In my opinion, if I don't normally
do something, there's a pretty good reason that I don't."

Junior engineering major Isaac G. King said alcohol is probably
consumed more than it should be at Appalachian but for the most part
there aren't abuse problems.

"If someone has self-control and knows their limits there's no reason
why they shouldn't enjoy a good beer or good wine when their taste
buds desire it," he said. Active Image

Marijuana - The No. 2 Concern

"There is a perception of Appalachian being more of a marijuana
school than other places, but for the most part it is undeserved,"
Kirkley said.

"About 25 percent of students have used marijuana on a 30-day basis
once or more," Kirkley said. "That's pretty consistent with other campuses."

Boone is well known for marijuana, Mclemore said. People come to the
recovery network with marijuana problems, but 95 percent of them are
people who use marijuana everyday and have other issues, he said.

Kirkley sees a fair amount of students with marijuana issues.

"More frequent users will have the perception that smoking pot
everyday is normal, because within their circle of friends, it is
normal," Kirkley said. "It's a skewed perception."

Recovery - The Goal

At Blue Ride Addiction Recovery Network, Mclemore said he works
equally with college students and older abusers.

"I have parents come in and ask me to get their kids out of trouble,"
he said. "I tell them I can't do that, but I will help with needed
behavior changes."

Kirkley said addiction and recovery only affects a minority of
students. However, students do find themselves in advocacy roles.

"About 15 to 20 percent of students have addiction in the family,"
Kirkley said.

Students with these histories should be particularly aware of their
genetic predisposition, he said. Comments (0)