In an environment filled with intense pressures and constant anxieties, alcohol and drug abuse is a tempting reality for many college students. Unfortunately, the University continues to employ only one drug counselor to advise students. Currently, Mary Roske-Groth of Boynton Health Service is the only one who answers to the counseling needs of students.

How can one person provide the necessary counseling for such a large group? Not only is it an injustice to have only one drug counselor, but it’s also unfair to overburden a single individual with the responsibility of students dealing with this campus issue. The University is demonstrating that it has little or no interest in the welfare of its students. Drug counseling, which also involves alcohol abuse counseling, is a positive method in dealing with the issue of drug and alcohol abuse on campus. Instead of busting parties and slapping students with fines, there are other means of coping with the issue.

There is wisdom in providing students with a more preventive, but also healthy and professional way of combating the issues of substance abuse that the campus community faces. Factors that contribute to drug abuse are strongly applicable to the cases of many students, among the cases are high stress and depression. Stress and depression are very common among college students. It should be expected that students will abuse drugs and alcohol, not simply because they are young and feel the need to experiment, but also because anxiety clearly contributes to depression, which is closely linked with substance abuse. Students constantly have to deal with the pressure of deadlines, exams and financial situations. All that significantly contribute to anxiety.

The University could continue to be a hotbed and breeding ground for young binge drinkers and addicts, or it could lead an active role in eradicating the abuse of alcohol and drugs on this campus by investing in the position of drug counseling on campus.