Panel discussion teaches perils of alcohol, drug abuse

Drinking is a problem at Penn State, say several administrators and faculty. But many at the University are trying to conquer their personal problems with alcohol -- while helping others.

A 1996 University survey shows that alcohol-related incidents have steadily declined over the past three years, said Dr. Dolores Maney, assistant professor at the Department of Health Education, last night at an alcohol awareness panel discussion at the HUB.

Comparing the 1996 statistics with a 1993 Harvard study which profiled 140 schools nationally, including Penn State, Maney presented information reflecting a decrease in the negative effects drinking can cause. Different behaviors such as damaging property, missing class and getting in trouble with the police have decreased by as much as 13 percent.

"We've seen some successes and I'm really hopeful that we can continue to change the climate at Penn State," Maney said.

The panel discussion, which was sponsored by Eta Sigma Gamma, a national health education society, and the Department of Health Education was an informational presentation focusing on the detrimental effects of alcohol and drug abuse as well as the counseling services available at the University.

Representatives on the panel included Stephen Shetler, an addiction specialist at University Health Services, Maney and two recovering substance abusers -- Angela Agati and Frank Elliott.

Shetler stressed the importance of the role friends and family play in the life of a substance abuser. The worst thing a friend or family member can do is stay silent and turn their back on the problem, he said.

Recovery must be a goal of the abuser before any progress is made, Shetler said.

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink," he said. "You must make the water look appealing and desirable (to the abuser)."

As someone with a family history of alcohol abuse, Shetler knows firsthand that the people close to the abuser may also be emotionally affected by the disease and need counseling themselves.

The addiction process may develop over several years, Shetler said, and the recovery process may take even longer.

"I believe addiction is something we chip away at," he said, stressing the lifelong process of recovery.

Agati, who herself has been sober for five years, agrees it is a lengthy process. Taking her first drink at the age of seven, she started down a path of what would eventually lead to a severe substance abuse problem.

Depicting alcohol abuse as an individual dilemma, she said students are liable for their own actions. Although at first it may seem easy to blame institutions such as the Greek system, the final decision lies within each individual, she said.

"Alcohol made me do things I normally wouldn't do," Agati said. "Although I wasn't responsible for my actions, I was accountable for them."

Elliott echoed the feelings of Agati, adding that while he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol he felt like a different person.

"I walked, talked, dressed and lived differently," he said.

Relationships are also dramatically affected by drug and alcohol abuse, Elliott said.

Rather than being based on the true characters and personalities of the people involved, the relationship relies on the substances, he said. Recovery must include a complete detachment from all connections with the substance. If just one member of the relationship does not want to reach sobriety, the effort is ultimately doomed.