College hosts first Alcohol Abuse Awareness Week
Raffle prizes have been awarded throughout the week. (Photo courtesy of Sigma Nu)
By Brendan Raleigh, Staff Writer
Gettysburg College is hosting Alcohol Abuse Awareness Week from April 1 to April 5.
This is the first year that the College has hosted Alcohol Awareness Week, Events for the week were organized by the brothers of Sigma Nu, the sisters of Delta Gamma and the Department of Public Safety to spread awareness of the risks associated with alcohol consumption.
The week began with a Drunk Driving Simulator and will close with an event in The Attic.
Dan Kalish, the Social Chairman of Sigma Nu tasked with the organization and delegation of the week’s events, explained the importance of Alcohol Abuse Awareness Week.
“The goal is to increase [awareness of] the risks and dangers associated with alcohol,” Kalish said. “Many students are unaware of the high possibility of abuse of alcohol among college students. We are simply trying to raise awareness for the consequences of the abuse of alcohol. It is also important to re[assure] the campus that Sigma Nu, Delta Gamma and Greek Life as a whole understand the issues surrounding alcohol use.”
Kalish cited the first event, the Drunk Driving Simulator, as the most important experience of the week.
“Many people do not fully understand the dangers of driving under the influence,” he said. “We hope this event can change that perspective by giving students a first-hand look at what is really happening when you attempt to drive while intoxicated.”
Not a single participant managed to complete the simulator without receiving a citation or arrest throughout the entire six hours in which the simulator was in use. The Department of Public Safety provided vision-impairing contacts for participants that, in unison with other obstacles of the program, slowed the reaction time and impaired the judgment of those in the simulator.
In addition to providing the contacts, DPS also reserved areas for events on campus and provided informational brochures. Officer Philip Schlegel has also attempted to show support by attending events and encouraging his fellow officers to do so as well.
Other events of the week included a presentation by Delta Gamma on safe drinking and a sobriety test taken with “drunk goggles” outside of the Dining Hall on Thursday.
Kalish and the brothers of Sigma Nu hope to create an annual tradition out of Alcohol Abuse Awareness Week, spreading the message of responsibility and moderation to future generations and classes of Gettysburg College.
“We hope to continue this event annually and make it a larger event each year with participation from groups both on and off campus,” said Kalish.
Raffle tickets have been in sale in the CUB all throughout the week, with the winner of the raffle receiving a 40-inch TV and all proceeds going to the Adam’s County Children’s Advocacy Group.
