In light of the recent drug bust, I feel compelled to share my experience with substance abuse so I can hopefully make a difference in the lives of those students who were arrested. I do not know these students personally, but if any of them truly suffer from addiction, I may understand them more than their closest friends and family.
I am not condoning their behavior by any means. Even if they are in addiction’s grasp, they are still responsible for their choices. The problem is that addiction completely destroys the power over choice. Even if an addict wants to stop, he/she discovers it’s impossible, at least on willpower alone.
This was my story. I knew I was an alcoholic when I became willing to sacrifice everything for my next drink. Every thought, every action was dedicated to bringing me one step closer to having a bottle in my hand. No matter how much I despaired over losing relationships, falling behind in school, struggling to maintain my job, etc., I could not stop drinking. Given the choice of death or sobriety, I would have chosen death with absolutely no reservation.
I needed help, but I had to hit bottom before I wanted help. Hospital visits, treatment centers – nothing had beaten me down to the point of surrender. Only until I spent a night in jail for drunken driving did I decide that I wanted to change. And I changed only because I had faith in a life better than the one I had while drinking.
That being said, perhaps some of the students who were recently arrested have hit their bottom. As a side note, I know some of you are thinking that marijuana isn’t addictive, but sex and gambling aren’t supposed to be either. Maybe going to jail will lead them to seek help, just as it did for me. If this is the case, then expelling these students might seriously jeopardize their recovery. Only through hope and faith can we addicts change, and an expulsion from school does no good for hope.
Again, I am not asking that these students not be held accountable for their actions. The justice system will see to that. However, I hope the University will show compassion for those students who truly have an addiction and are willing to seek help. I was blessed with a second chance at life, although I didn’t do anything to deserve it. Let us not be so quick to deny these students that same blessing.
Emily Sanford is a master’s student in finance.
Leading in today’s Crimson White:
Object X series to incorporate ‘infinite perspectives’
