DRUG, ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS STABLE FROM '06 TO '07

It's no secret that drugs and alcohol are used and abused on college
campuses across the U.S. UTM is no exception.

So what kinds of drug and alcohol problems are going on right in front of
our faces? There is no way to keep a record of drug users or to calculate
the amount of alcohol that is consumed on the campus over a designated
period of time, but Capt. Ray Coleman of UTM's Department of Public Safety
said it is still possible to draw some conclusions.

"Our drug related offenses on campus, compared to other campuses, remain
low in number," Coleman said.

Arrest records show the number of people arrested on drug and alcohol
violations. In 2006, the numbers of alcohol violations were 78, while
there were 10 drug offenses.

In 2007, there were slightly fewer liquor law violations, at 73, but an
increase in drug offenses at 16.

One drug that is becoming more prominent on colleges campuses and even
among younger children is prescription drugs. Pain killers, anxiety
medications and other over-the-counter drugs have found their way into the
drug scene. These pills, especially if taken with alcohol, can be very
dangerous. In some instances this method of drug abuse can be fatal.

While there have been many different drugs in and out of the hands of
college students, alcohol has always been the most overlooked and misused
drug. But an alcohol problem does not have to remain a problem.

There are groups on campus that can help with any alcohol or drug problem.

PARR (Peers Advocating Respectful Relationships) is a group dedicated to
taking a stand against sexual assault and promoting responsible drinking
choices.

Jennifer Y. Levy-Peck Ph.D., director of the UTM Counseling Center,
encourages student to set appointments to come and talk about anything
that might be a problem.

"Many students don't think that drugs and alcohol are affecting their
schoolwork or their relationships with friend," Levy-Peck said.

Some students use other methods to keep friends off of drugs.

Wesley Redd, a UTM student, said he sees the problem all too often.

"Whenever I hear of someone doing drugs or abusing alcohol, I don't tell
them to stop, but I will encourage them to think of other ways to amuse
themselves without harming their bodies in the process," Redd said.