Sherrie Huffman, StaffWriter

After terrific success during Alcohol Awareness Week, the Appalachian State University Campus Alcohol and Drug Prevention Committee has dedicated the month of February to Alcohol Awareness Programs.

A committee has planned a series of “Lunch and Learn” presentations to be held on every Wednesday of this month.  Members of the Counseling and Psychological Services Center will facilitate the sesions.

The committee is made up of representatives from student groups,  such as the Interfraternity Council, Student Government Association, Campus Resident Student Association and other campus organizations.

The sessions will be held from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. in the Linville Falls Room of the Plemmons Student Union.

The theme for the presentations is appropriately titled, “Learn to Party,” said Co-Chairperson Dr. Denise Glassman.
 
According to Glassman, the sessions are to help students to learn how to party in a safe way, such as learning when to say no, and finding alternatives to partying, such as mediation.

“We don’t want to be ‘preachy’,” Glassman said.  “We just want people to realize that drugs and drinking aren’t always needed to have a good time.”

Glassman also said that since college campuses were recently associated with binge drinking, students should be aware of the consequences of alcohol and drug use.

The sessions will be set up in a way that will encourage discussions and feedback from the students, said Glassman.

“The sessions will be informative, but they will also be fun,” Glassman said.On Feb. 4, the program will be “Get Off the Pot,” and will deal with issues and concerns about marijuana use.

On Feb. 11, local criminal attorney Scott Casey will present a program about drinking, sexual assault, and the laws concerning the combination of sex and drinking.

The program on Feb. 18 is titled “Getting High at High Noon,” and will instruct people on natural ways of getting high.

The last day of programs, Feb. 25, will be “Beer Goggles II:  Sex Under the Influence.”
 
The day will conclude with a free party in the student union that will include The Steely Pan Steel Drum Band, casino games, free pool and bowling, and free prizes.

There will also be a table set up in the student union on Wednesdays that will support the theme of the “Lunch and Learn” presentation of that day.

“Partying is a fun part of being on a college campus, but the message is that the committee wants people to do it safely,” Glassman said.

The Counseling Center encourages participation in the sessions, and asks for all of  those with questions or suggestions about the center to call.  
 

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