When I was 17 years old, all I could do was watch, as my brother lied in a coma. My heart was broken, and I couldn’t bear to watch any longer as my brother succumbed to an overdose. It was a pain I wouldn’t wish for anyone else.
Almost a decade later and something has been bothering me since I began attending Utah Tech University; I don’t feel like I see enough drug awareness on campus. It may remind you of the days of wearing the plastic wristbands during elementary school, but the subject matter it represents is anything but elementary.
St. George has been a cesspool of drug deals for as long as I can remember, and it’s only gotten worse. Drug busts are the norm around I-15 and its various entrances and exits. The response I seem to find from the student body is “that’s just St. George” or something to that effect.
That’s an awful excuse. You mean to tell me the death of my own brother is just part of the status quo? You mean to tell me my mom had to mourn the loss of her child because “that’s just St. George?”
It’s a terrible excuse that is used by those who don’t want to tackle an issue of such magnitude like drug addiction.
Addiction is not something to be trifled with. It turns you into a completely different person with a completely different set of morals and goals.
No longer are you saving up for your trip to Disneyland; you’re now saving up for your next drug fix. You may do things you wouldn’t even imagine doing in your current environment.
When my brother was still alive, he would often steal things like electronics and other valuables from my parents. At one point, I caught him trying to steal one of my prized childhood possessions, a Nintendo 64. At that moment, tears began to cascade down his face, as he apologized to me.
Is that a normal thing? Is that St. George? Not to me it isn’t.
It’s not just young adults either. Addiction can affect anyone no matter the age, and it’s not something that is so easily overcome.
Even if you’re able to stay clean, drug addiction will always be like a devil on your shoulder waiting for you to slip up in a way that warrants returning to that high once again.
It doesn’t just affect the addict; it also affects the loved ones that just want to be there for their friend, sibling or child.
It’s heartbreaking to watch someone you love spiral into a pit that’s nigh impossible to crawl out of, and it’s even worse when they influence other people to try it as well.
Even if it’s a flyer promoting drug awareness posted around campus, a simple reminder can lead to small but important actions that lead to better awareness. If such a flyer already exists, then print more of them.
Or better yet, an event to raise awareness similar to the annual casino night held every spring semester on campus. Something that is fun to participate in, but has an overall important message to pass along.
The positives tend to outweigh the negatives when it comes to fighting drug addiction.
It’s pretty obvious as to why I’m so passionate about this topic, but even so, allow me to state my case.
It’s been almost a decade since I experienced the biggest regret of my life. I wasn’t there when my brother passed away. I wasn’t strong enough to be with him in his final moments, and that will haunt me for the rest of my life.
The same shouldn’t happen to you. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse of any kind, I beg of you to get the help you need.
While St. George has many pathways that lead to such turmoil, it also has an equal amount of resources to get the help needed to fight such addiction.
Addiction in general, is like a disease; It does nothing but harms you and your loved ones. However, much like a disease, it’s treatable.
Such awareness on campus is only one part of the treatment needed to help those who are scared to take on their demons.
Lastly, addiction does not make you who you are. My brother was the sweetest, most charismatic and goofiest person I’ve ever met. I will forever treasure the moments I got to experience by his side.
That’s why I feel if I can convince even one person to be more careful and say no to snorting a line at a party or seek help for what’s already occurring, I’ll consider that the greatest of victories.
