Being away from home for the first time sex, drugs, and alcohol are bigger issues to freshman then ever once was before. There needed to be answers or someone who could shed some more light on the topic. The faculty and staff at Frostburg State could give great insight on the freshman here. Teacher and Clinical Drug Counselor Michael Bice took some time to answer questions about FSU freshman.
Q: I know that you’re a part-time teacher here at FSU, but besides that what else do you do?
R: Besides teaching Drugs and Human Behavior at Frostburg State University, I am a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor at the Allegany County Health Department. At this job, I perform individual, group, and couples/family counseling and education to people with addictions and their families.
Q: In September, I heard you were a speaker at a women’s convention held in the Lane Center, I wanted to know your role in that?
R: For the second year in a row, I participated in the BURG Peer Education Network sponsored Red Zone Forum. Red Zone is the 6 weeks in the fall semester that sexual assault rates are the highest in college campuses. My role in that forum was to talk about how substances contribute to sexual assault and ways to prevent substances from putting individuals at risk for sexual assault.
Q: Why do you think drugs and alcohol are such a prevalent issue among freshman? R: I think that drug and alcohol use aren't just specific to college freshman, they are part of the college experience. I think that drug and alcohol use is most widely publicized about freshmen because they are leaving home for the first time and their newfound freedom causes them to make unhealthy decisions that get them in trouble. Also, at college these freshmen may get their first taste of drugs or alcohol and can very easily use large amounts of substances thereby increasing the chances that they will make unhealthy choices and attract the attention of law enforcement or others. Also, life is tough and I think that when people get exposed to drugs and alcohol and they see how they ease the pain of everyday life, even though they don't solve any problems, it is very easy to get caught up in self-medicating life's problems through substances.
Q: Do you think alcohol and drugs are the cause of a lot of problems such as grades and pregnancy?
R: As far as drugs and alcohol and their impact on grades and pregnancy, individuals who abuse substances generally have lower grades than those who don't (although there are isolated, single person exceptions). Also, individuals who abuse substances have a greater likelihood of unplanned pregnancies. Since drugs and alcohol negatively impact decision making, it is easy to see why they play a role in such issues as lower grades and pregnancy.
With so much information gained from the interview with Michael Bice, finding other faculty that deal with more freshman than others would be appropriate. Who else would be better to talk to than someone in the Provost Office? Speaking to someone in this office would give an inside look on the troubles that freshman face and the administrative process they go through?
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