Article that diminished those who refrain from drugs, alcohol is shameful
By Gunner Japp | Jan. 18, 2010I was reading Thursday’s Alligator when I came across an article about revenge cheating. As I was reading the article, I read a sentence that claimed most people will be cheated on unless they are all-knowing or “one of those weirdos” who’s sober all the time. I find it ridiculous and irresponsible that a college newspaper, read by thousands of binge-drinking and drug-abusing students, would go as far as to label people who refrain from drugs and alcohol as “weirdos.” You are doing a disservice to our community and school by advocating the use of drugs through the condemnation of people choosing to remain abstinent. The Alligator has a moral and social responsibility to try and encourage a safe and healthy environment, not to reinforce the idea that everyone uses drugs and alcohol and those who don’t are “weirdos.” I am afraid that comments like this provide the acceptance and social proof necessary to foster unhealthy behaviors like drug and alcohol abuse. As a school and community, we should try to avoid the negative stigma associated with being one of the top five party schools in the country each year. We should start by looking at our attitudes and beliefs toward drugs and alcohol, and, at the very least, we shouldn’t promote drug use and abuse by condemning those who choose not to use drugs. I’m ashamed this statement was written, approved by the editors and printed for the entire community and Student Body to read. Hopefully, you will be more careful in the future.
