Introduction
Addiction is an internal plague, often suffered in silence, that can destroy men and women from the inside out while simultaneously driving victims away from treatment or escape. Certain activities and behaviors boast manipulation towards the brain’s reward system in a luring way, pulling the mind into a whirlpool of dopamine. If the given behavior is indulged further, an individual might fall into addiction, feeling an extreme, unnatural compulsion to initiate the behavior, despite any immediate or long-term consequences. Every type of addiction has its own gateways, effects, consequences, and solutions; every type should be taken seriously because, at the minimum, addiction affects the well-being of individuals, and depending on the behavior, addiction can result in death. For the purposes of this essay, drug and alcohol addiction will be the focus.
The disease of addiction actively infects the population—especially young adults—and immediate action towards raising awareness is necessary to prevent victims from destroying their livelihoods, relationships, or themselves. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 18-25 year olds have the highest rate of drug use compared to all other age demographics at 39%. In light of this, spreading awareness on university campuses presents a unique juncture for change due to the high concentration and proportion of young adults. Additionally, distinctive avenues exist that could further contribute towards reducing stigmas and communicating the effects, consequences, and solution resources of drug and alcohol addiction through constructive and creative ways.
Campus Tables
Kiosk tables are often used by clubs and departments on university campuses to advertise events, services, or themselves. It gives opportunities for face to face engagement and creates club, organization, or purpose recognition, even if a student doesn’t stop for a conversation. This method proves to be viable for those that implement them and would be effective for spreading addiction awareness and reducing misconceptions. Using a spinning wheel and free items such as stress balls, bracelets, pens, small bags, notepads, or candies, for example, catch the eye of students and bring them to the kiosk. Furthermore, requiring the completion of a quick survey, short quiz, or subscribing to a mailing list before spinning is a great way for students to become more engaged.
The survey or quiz may include questions similar to “How would you define addiction? What addiction stigmas are you aware of? Do you know the different treatment resources that exist for victims of addiction?” Then, below or after the questions, including a link to a website that correctly answers each of those questions to serve as references. Quizzes and surveys in this format would collect first-hand information to gauge the level of awareness on campus, allowing foundational planning based on real-time data.
Secondly, students subscribing to a mailing before spinning opens a multitude of opportunities due to a found connection of communication. Recognition and direct interaction no longer needs to stop at the kiosk. Emails to students may include information about upcoming events, special talks, or workshops on the topic of addiction awareness. Furthermore, on the email or through a link, additional information could entail addiction stigmas, signs, symptoms, types, and treatments could give students awareness of the issues, finding help for themselves, or how to find help for someone. Emails also yield an opportunity for previous or current victims of addiction to share their story. Sharing personal experience would develop understanding of the crushing effects of addiction and the struggle to overcome it within those that read. This would also help anyone currently struggling with addiction by reminding them they are not alone, treatment is available, and there is light in the darkness they’re dwelling in. Lastly, handing out brochures, pamphlets, or fliers at the kiosks is another effective strategy because it gives a physical format to useful information and serves as a tangible reminder to keep awareness in mind.
Campus Events
Events including 5k runs, campus service projects, dogs and donuts, and special talks initiate community around conscientiousness and would have rippling effects through spotlighting the dangers and available resources for combating addiction. 5k fundraisers exhibit a catalyst for unity as students, staff, and all others running come together for one purpose – spreading awareness. Service projects on campus bring students together to create meaningful differences in their community and would serve as a lasting reminder of its purpose. For example, if the project is building benches, a painted URL, supportive words, or logos could point students towards information surrounding addiction.
Dogs and donuts entails campus visits with service dogs and donuts in student dorms, landmark buildings, and classrooms, using the occasion to spread awareness. If there’s both a canine and free donuts in the vicinity, there’s likely a crowd around them. Furthermore, according to Medical News Today, engagement with a dog, such as petting them, releases oxytocin, a chemical that regulates social behaviors, and immediately boosts psychological well being. Regarding donuts, they initiate social gathering and provide incentive to stay and communicate. Additionally, similar to the kiosk method, a short requirement before retrieving a donut could be used. For example, simply scanning a QR code linked to an addiction awareness or addiction resources site.
Considering special talks, well known individuals who’ve overcome addiction or well understand the disease may give a talk, presentation, or interactive speech on addiction awareness. For example, Steve-O, from the hit-movie series “Jackass”, has uploaded several podcasts, shot a documentary, and openly talks on his previous struggles with drugs, addictions, and how he overcame them. A speech spoken by an individual with firsthand experience, similar to Steve-O, well known or unfamiliar, provides an element of relatability and could be the stepping stone that keeps someone from falling into addiction or convinces them to seek help for their current struggles. Additionally, special talks would unambiguously instill an understanding of substance addictions, signs, signals, stigmas, how to avoid gateways, and how to help themselves or someone around them. The tools and information the students take away could potentially save a peer’s life or maybe even their own.
Closing and Conclusion
The methods presented are geared to integrate understanding and knowledge about addiction into campus culture through simple yet effective means that would yield lasting effects within universities. Utilizing the mediums exhibited or differing ones, the fact still stands—the disease of addiction that plagues our population would become better understood and combated by simply spreading awareness. Current realities showcase the imperativeness for action and finding effective methods to spread awareness. An article by John Hopkins states that stigma is “persistent, pervasive, and rooted” in the idea that addiction mirrors a fundamental lack of morals and sparse willpower. Addiction stigmas are uniformed, prevalent, and enormously discouraging to persons suffering from strong addiction and therefore fully require prevention. Additionally, according to the most recent statistics estimated by NIAAA, 2,586 individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 died that year due to alcohol related incidents. Furthermore, roughly 20% of college students are reported to have abused prescription medication, according to a published meta-analysis.
In conclusion, the imperativeness for addiction awareness in college communities is present. Awareness has the ability to become a light for those plagued by the darkness of addiction. So, whether understanding is advanced through campus tables, special talks, or other means, taking action is the next step.
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Published on August 29, 2024
