Vogel speaks about drug education

Thirty faculty members and 60 students picked up clickers and participated in a discussion of drug education in the Phoenix Rooms on Feb. 23. Matt Vogel explained the importance of knowledge and drug education through an interactive program. The programed titled, "Weed, Speed and Beyond," was presented to faculty and students discussing safety, not avoidance with drugs. "I come from a very non-moralistic perspective, but I try to not get completely academic about it either," Vogel said. Amy Henniges, director of the Counseling and Health Center, thinks it's important to bring these types of programs to campus. "There can never be enough education," she said. "I think Matt's style especially was all about providing information so that people have facts." Providing facts only, Vogel believes in a harm-reduction approach. Similar to providing condoms to students or clean needles to drug users, providing facts about drugs is important. "Clearly if you tell someone you cannot do something, they want to do it," Vogel said. "When you empower people with knowledge and information that is factual and real, I feel people use (drugs) less, and if they do use, they use in a much safer way." Vogel concentrated much of his presentation on drug safety. Many students, he said, are unaware of where their drugs come from, what affects they have or even the dosage. "There's no safe drug," Vogel said. "There are drugs on a continuum, but anytime you put something in your body you're developing a risk. Whether that drug comes from your doctor, from a dealer or from a supplement at GNC, it's a risk, and I think that should be widely understood." Vogel also explained many college students do drugs while drinking and the effects the substances have when used together. Tyler Rindo, a sophomore music major, said, "I didn't know if you take drugs and alcohol it multiplies the effects together." These synergistic effects, as Vogel called them, simply means alcohol will multiply the effect of a drug that has been taken. This can lead to a lethal overdose or other medical implications that a person may not realize when they are consuming both at a party or with friend. Vogel also referred to the Just-Say-No policy on drugs. He believes it should be modified to be Just-Say-Know. If students know their options, why they're taking drugs, what the effects are of that drug, who they are with, where they will be, how it will affect their future and other questions, they will make an educated and intelligent choices in their lives, Vogel said.

Rindo said this was the message he would remember most and pass on to other students. "Be sure of what you're doing before you do it," Rindo said. "If you're going to do it, nothing is going to stop you but make sure you do it safely. Make sure you know you are in safe environment with safe people." Henniges agreed, "Just be smart about it without saying yes or no, you should or shouldn't be doing it." Vogel enjoys talking to college students for that reason. He believes college students are intelligent, and willing to objectively listen to new ideas and make their own independent, intelligent and safe choices. Henniges said she has seen an increase in marijuana incidents on campus and hopes this will help students understand their choices. "Stress and anxiety play a significant role on any college campus, and they are a factor in a lot of drug taking," Vogel said. Henniges assures students that UW-Green Bay has plenty of resources. According to Henniges, Marlene Regan, senior counselor, is certified in substance abuse cases. If students get caught before they get help on campus and off campus legal issues may arise. Also, if caught with drugs, students are ineligible for financial aid. Vogel hopes his presentations will help students make healthier decisions. He said, "I think if we have healthy individuals, we have healthy societies, and in turn we have healthy communities and a healthy planet.