'Blame it on the alcohol' clears myths
Nicole Sunstrom
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
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Retired police officer, Tom Evans, worked with DUI cases in Lakeland for 14 years. Now, Evans spends his time working with the Interact Alliance Drug Awareness Center and advocating Florida Southern's "Straight Talk" program, a group that meets on campus to discuss difficult issues such as eating disorders, sex and drug and alcohol abuse. Each month, a different theme is addressed.
With the month of November being "Alcohol Awareness Month" for the Straight Talk program, Evans, alongside partner Cathy Robinson-Pickett, put on an event to show students how to prevent alcohol-related health issues and to encourage abstinence if under the legal age.
"We want students to make safe choices," Robinson-Pickett said, "Our main goal is to show students how to have fun and not drink." Such activities featured at the event included assorted drinking games without alcohol, a demonstration showing students alcohol levels and equivalents, and a station where students could walk a line while wearing beer goggles. Other important topics addressed were how to designate a driver and how to protect yourself, and your drinks, from drugs such as Rohypnol, or "the date rape drug."
"Most bad things happen to people when under the influence," Robinson-Pickett said, stressing the importance of making smart decisions when it comes to alcohol. But the most important point of the event was that you don't have to drink to have fun.
"Everybody thinks everybody's doing it, but that's not the case," Evans said.
Tom Evans and Cathy Robinson-Pickett would like to encourage students to come support next month's theme, HIV/AIDS Awareness. Events include World AIDS Day on Dec 1, in the Wellness Center, where students can participate in free HIV/STD screenings and enjoy the DJ stylings of Tom Evans himself from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also, there will be a HIV Awareness Walk and Celebration of Life remembrance service. Look for flyers around campus or stop by the Life and Cultural Center to learn more.
If you would like to contact someone to talk about any issues you might be experiencing, Cathy Robinson-Pickett encourages students to "friend" her on facebook, or email her at hiveducation@aol.com.
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