The Observer

Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Ashley Harkey Perscription drugs and alcohol

Wisconsinites have long been known for
their consumption of alcohol.
While many residents both young and old
choose to abstain from consuming alcohol, a
majority do use alcohol on a regular basis.
With the growing concern of individuals
abusing presciption drugs and the effects that follow, we have to ask, "Are Wisconsin residents more vulnerable to the dangers of mixing alcohol and prescription drugs ?"
When thinking about this question, we need
to realize that this something that requires further education.
Nothing brings this closer to home than the recent deaths of 15-year-old Maddie Kiefer
of Whitefish Bay or 19-year-old Luke Murphy
a student at UW-Milwaukee. Kiefer died
shortly after smoking marijuana and taking a Suboxone, which can be used as a treatment for opiate addiction.
Investigators believe that Murphy took
Suboxon while he was drinking. His death
is the second death of a UW-Milwaukee student in the past few months. Ali Marie Raddatz also a UW-Milwaukee student, apparently died after consuming alcohol and prescription drugs.
With tragedies such as these so close to home, students should think twice before
saying 'yes' and mixing substances.
When UW-Waukesha students were asked if
drug abuse and overdose affected them and
other students, the replies were fairly similar.
Student Tonya Stoll was asked if she
thought all the students at UW-Waukesha
would be affected, she said, "I don't think
that much. I mean a lot of people use them
but most are smart and do it out of school."
Along with her response, another student at
UW-Waukesha, Craig Striteskey said, "It
would only affect the close friends unless
people are told about it."
With similar responses from UW-Waukesha
students, it may seem that drug abuse and
overdosing aren't issues that students feel
threatened by.
Their opinions do not lesson the severity of the issue or the fact that substance abuse is a real problem and threat. Many young people often have a feeling of invincibility. These recent deaths highlight just how wrong that way of thinking is.
Being careful about what substances are being consumed will not prevent all tragedies such as these. Taking the time to use common sense before acting can prevent additional unneeded injuries and deaths.
For more information on how to handle incidents of substance abuse contact any local human service organization or campus
counselor, AmyWalker at (262)521-5002.

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