Today: Mar 28, 2024

DARC hosts Mocktoberfest to raise awareness

Aaron Johnson – General Assignment Reporter

The Drug and Alcohol Resource Center on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University is in the middle of Mocktoberfest. DARC director Sarah Michaud said that during the month of October, the DARC holds nine events to promote alcohol and drug awareness for all students.

“The purpose is to give students an education and make sure that they have access to any and all material they may need,” said Michaud.

The first main event for the month of Mocktoberfest was an alcohol panel that was open to all students. The panel included SCSU campus police, New Haven and Hamden police officers, and SCSU Judicial Affairs director Chris Piscitelli. Junior Josh Delean was in attendance that night and he said that the forum was an open dialogue between students and the panel.

“It was good because students really didn’t feel like we were being lectured to,” said Delean. “It was very informative and once the questions started going I think that the students definitely became more comfortable.”

Michaud said that Q&A was meant to give students the information to stay safe when drinking and also when doing downtown to clubs and bars.

“Being downtown with knowing the risks factors is key,” said Michaud. “Crazy things happen downtown. Drug dealers look for college students so we just want our students to be safe and aware when downtown.”

According to Michaud and DARC graduate intern Ashton Chandler, students were able to dispel the negative perspective of the campus police thanks in part to the open dialogue with no subject being taboo.

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“The open dialogue was great for the students to see campus police in that light. It made them seem more human,” said Chandler.

Mocktoberfest continues with the Alcohol Pilko and the “Don’t Afraid of the DARC” on Oct. 21, Take a shot in the DARC and Alcohol Jeopardy Prizes and Giveaway on Oct. 23. Michaud said that during the month the point is to give students a reality check.

“We want students to have a reality check but also be aware. This was our sixth year doing it and Hamden, New Haven, and SCSU police being together for the first time,” said Michaud.

The DARC is also hosting an Afternoon of Awareness Education Fair on Oct. 22. Students will learn about addiction, treatment and support services, and resources within the community. The fair is being in the student center and is open to all students, staff, and faculty. Michaud said that students are always worried about will the information they want to know get them in trouble which may hinder them from coming to events.

“Students usually want to know ‘am I going to be in trouble for this’,” said Michaud. “We’re starting to see more students coming into college that have already been in recovery and are simply looking for support.”

Overall, Michaud said that this year Mocktoberfest is going to be great thanks in part to the New Haven and Hamden police departments and hope that the student involvement continues to grow.

“This year it was great that both New Haven and Hamden police could get involved. They work very closely with Southern’s police,” said Michaud. “We just want to continue to get the word out through the police department, residence halls, and the student center.”

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