THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS Volume: 60 Issue: 2
unodriftwood.com
AUGUST 24, 2016
CATASTROPHIC FLOOD DRENCHES LA
BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Editor-in-Chief On Friday, Aug. 12, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared Louisiana to be in a state of emergency. Described by scientists as the kind of flood that comes once every thousand years, 60,000 homes were damaged, 20,000 people rescued and 13 Louisianians dead made this one of the worst floods in the state’s history. Smaller towns in central Louisiana surrounded by rivers were overrun with floodwaters. Hally Lambert, a 22-year-old graduate of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, currently lives with
her parents in Gonzalez. She described her experience, “We had no idea the rain was going to be this bad. We live in a flood zone by the Amite River, but our house is three and a half feet off the ground, and we thought we were prepared for flooding. Water comes up to the front lawn occasionally, but it’s never even gotten to our porch. This time was different.” Once the storm had subsided, her family assessed the damage. “We got a foot of water in the house.” Hally’s home was built on a wooden foundation, which is extremely susceptible to water damage. A
foot of water is devastating for the structure. “The floors are done for; half the walls had to be torn down; all of our furniture, faucets, beds, clothes are destroyed. The founda-
there was any way to prepare for this, or if there’s anything locals can do going forward that will prevent this from happening again other than relocating.” Though Gonzalez suffered damage, residents of Denham Springs were hit hardest. Over 90 percent of houses in the area suffered water damage; many houses got over four feet of water. Joyce Kahl is a University of New Orleans student whose family resides in Denham Springs. “Everybody I know has water damage to their home in Denham Springs. My uncle’s entire house was underwater
“Everyone I know from my childhood lost their house.” tion of my house was underwater for five days. There’s no way to repair it; it has to be replaced.” “Going forward, I don’t know if
up to the roof.” If a house gets even a few inches of water inside, the drywall needs to be ripped out, the insulation thrown away, and floors need to be replaced. It’s a headache for those with flood insurance, and a life-altering catastrophe for those without. “So many people didn’t have flood insurance because they’re not in a flood zone, and now they’re left with nothing,” said Lambert. “Everyone I know from my childhood lost their house. It’s devastating. But you have to stay strong for your family. It’s hard for everybody. We had to clean out our house today. It’s just something you never expect to do.” Continued on page 6
Punishment for smoking weed depends on who catches you BY MINDY JARRETT Copy Editor A New Orleans marijuana reform ordinance marks its two-month anniversary this week. The ordinance was first signed into municipal (city) code in March by Mayor Mitch Landrieu and calls for New Orleans Police Department officers to issue summonses (tickets) rather than make arrests.
Offenders can receive tickets if they are 17 or older, do not possess more than 2.5 pounds of the substance, are in actual or shared possession of the substance, and have not committed the offense in a drug-free zone if they are caught by a municipal police officer. “It has a lot to do with keeping people out of jail who do not belong in jail,” said Councilwoman Susan Guidry at a criminal justice committee meeting in June.
Under the new ordinance, firsttime offenders will be fined $40, second-time offenders $60, thirdtime offenders $80, with the fine maxing out at $100 for fourth-time offenders.“There is no possibility of jail time [if caught by a city cop],” Guidry explained. In cases where the offender is in a drug-free zone, which includes school busses, drug treatment facilities, schools, properties used for school purposes, religious build-
ings, child daycare centers, public housing properties, or within 2,000 feet of any such properties, the officer has authority to use the stricter state law rather than the municipal code. Any other reason for using state law must be approved by the officer’s supervisor. Councilwoman Guidry expressed concern with the regulation of such circumstantial cases, hoping to avoid bias. But Deputy Chief Paul Noel said he feels sure
that the NOPD will be able to avoid this. “This policy is not that different from the previous policy that we had. We were already issuing summonses under state law previously.” In fact, NOPD officers have been issuing summonses to first-time offenders since 2010. Continued on page 5
Psychedelic drugs may have medical benefits, read more on page 7
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
When disaster hits: the essential guide BY ANJANAE CRUMP Managing Editor As we enter the most intense weeks of hurricane season, University of New Orleans officials urge students to get their emergency plans in order. According to a recent report from Colorado State University, a total of fifteen tropical storms and six hurricanes are expected this year. Two of the hurricanes are predicted to be major storms, projected to leave behind catastrophic destruction in their wake. These are only predictions, and while it is not possible to accurately predict what will happen during a particular hurricane season, it is still of utmost importance to be prepared for the worst. Many locals learned that lesson this past week with the devastating flooding in southern Louisiana. Dr. Kraig Derstler from UNO’s Department of Earth and Environ-
mental Sciences explained, “there are many variables that factor into the development of each tropical system. Some of these are longterm; these are used to predict the number of hurricanes at the beginning of a season. However, there are also a number of local contingencies, such as the detailed weather of the western Sahara (which determines whether or not an individual tropical wave will form and start to move westward over the Atlantic). We have no way of predicting these contingent factors, so we simply look for the first hints of a new tropical system and then follow it as carefully as we can.” This unknown factor makes hurricane preparation even more important as a threat may strike any time. According to Dr. Melanie Stiegler from the UNO Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, “It only takes one hurricane to severely impact your life if it comes onshore where you live.”
The University of New Orleans has various resources available for students. One of the first defenses is its emergency alert system called E2Campus, which warns of various emergencies including those weather related. To sign up and receive important text messages, visit http://uno2.uno.edu/ucc/E2Campus/e2Campus.htm The other defense is its Hurricane Emergency Plan, which according to Director of Student Housing Mike Brauninger, “[a plan] is the most important thing to have.” He notes that, “All students are required to complete this form upon the first week of moving into the residence facility.” It outlines exactly what steps should be taken in the event of an approaching storm. It advises all students to come up with their own Personal Emergency Plan and assemble a Disaster Supply Kit. The plan should include a safe haven destination, the contact information of that destination along
with directions there, a road map, a method of reliable transportation and alternate hotels in the event of an emergency backup. The disaster kit should include items such as a first-aid kit, essential medication, bottled water, canned goods, a battery powered radio and flashlight, protective clothing, bedding/sleeping bag and any other special items important to your survival. It is essential that students know where to go if evacuation is necessary; no one will be allowed to remain on campus. “It is advised to buddy-up with another resident that does have transportation and evacuate with them to their destination,” said Brauninger. Students who live in dorms will be given explicit instructions from the Student Housing Staff at the time of a declared emergency. International students are encouraged to notify the Office of International Students and Scholars of their Personal Emergency Plan.
All students living on campus who are unable to evacuate on their own may request to utilize the Campus Evacuation Plan which entails transporting students to an appropriate shelter via school buses. However, a very limited number of seats are available. Students must register at the beginning of the fall semester, which is now, with the appropriate coordinating department listed below: Pontchartrain Hall Residents – 504-280-6402 Privateer Place – 504-282-5670 International Students – 504280-6021 Students with physical disabilities & all other students – 504-2806222 After the university is closed and everyone has been evacuated, in order to find out important updates regarding the university, continually check email and/or call 504280-6000 or 1-888-514-4275.
FOR BETTER OR WORSE 60,000 homes damaged, 20,000 rescued and 13 deaths after Louisiana floods
Ryan Lochte lied about being robbed at gunpoint
Trump visits Louisiana after being told by Gov. Edwards to stay away
New Orleans crime at 20-year low
USA wins 121 medals, 46 gold
NEWS
Trump campain tanking in key swing states BY LEO CASTELL Driftwood Staff With the chaos of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions behind us, post-convention polling fluctuations have stabilized and the numbers do not look good for Donald Trump. According to RealClearPolitics’ aggregate polling data, the Republican nominee is behind Hillary Clinton in national polls by six percentage points. He is trailing by double-digit percentage points in several key swing states. The primary season was defined by Trump’s outrageous comments and his immunity to scandal, but now that the general election is upon us, that same attitude is hurting him. Political primary seasons are won by getting as much attention as possible, but all campaigns must “pivot” to the general. Where focus is more on policy and substance than attention garnering. Trump has failed in this category, only recently has his campaign even become aware of the problem and it might be too late to fix. In the past week, Trump has
apologized for “hurtful words,” and has, once again, decided to shake up the hierarchy of his campaign in an unprecedented move for a presidential candidate this close to the general. Stephen Bannon, the executive chairman of Breitbart News, is chief executive officer of Trump’s campaign, and former Fox News executive-turned-sex-offender Roger Ailes was recently hired as an adviser. Trump’s poor poll numbers look even worse in the greater historical context of presidential elections in the United States. According to political scientists Christopher Wlezien and Robert S. Erikson in their book “The Timeline of Presidential Elections,” a pattern has emerged over the last sixty years where every presidential candidate must come out ahead in polling two weeks after the conventions in order to win the popular vote. Clinton is polling better than Trump in every single swing state. To many students at the University of New Orleans, Trump’s poor polling numbers come as both a surprise and a relief. “I thought he’d be doing better since he’s the
Republican nominee,” said senior Jordan Blackmore. “I didn’t think he would be doing this bad, but I’m glad because if he was elected then he would be a dictator.” Even opponents of the Republican nominee expected him to be doing better. “The depression vote is real,” said Bernie-fan-turned-lukewarm-Hillary-supporter Mackenzie Guillory, “I thought that no matter what he said his supporters would vote for him. And now Bernie supporters are voting for Hillary even after they felt betrayed by the DNC. Not because we want to, but because we have to.” The fear induced by a potential Trump presidency seems to be Clinton’s greatest ally in swaying former Bernie voters. Many GOP leaders are starting to think about calling it quits on Trump and focusing efforts on winning congressional seats, Republicans are in serious danger of losing the senate. More and more, the question is less “Who will win the election?” and more “How badly will Trump lose?” His unconventional campaign is finally starting to catch up to him.
Millennials deal with depression BY ROXANNE ARDEKANI Driftwood Staff The use of antidepressants is a common and controversial necessity for many Americans. In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 11 percent of the nation use antidepressants. The chair of UNO’s Neuroscience Department Gerald J. Lahoste said, “Many people underestimate the lethality of depression. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Americans between the ages of 15 and 24.” Depression is a serious mental disorder that affects 350 million people worldwide with 16 million of those being affected in the United States. One in 33 children and one in 8 adolescents have clinical depression. Depression is the cause of over two-thirds of the 30,000 reported suicides in the United States each year. Some professionals see the use of antidepressants in children and adolescents as dangerous, which further complicates the treatment of depression. In 2004, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) began putting a Black box warning on antidepressants. Black box warnings are the strongest warning the FDA uses, and require drug companies to create medication guides to accompany the
drugs. The current guides include warnings that antidepressants may have several side effects including increased thoughts of suicide in younger patients. Defining depression and treating it is still commonly misunderstood and disagreed upon. An 18-years-old anonymous upcoming freshmen who was diagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressants at the age of 14 said, “I remember feeling very aggressive and suicidal before I was on medication…I really hated how my life was, though there was no particular reason I should have.” Depression and the use of antidepressants has been a controversial topic for quite some time, especially regarding prescribing the youth. “Although the overall presentation of depression is similar in adults and children, symptoms of depression may look different depending on the age of the person, and may be influenced by cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development,” Assistant Professor and Practicum Coordinator Sonia Lynne Rubens said. Rubens works in the Child and Adolescent Resilience (CARe) lab at University of New Orleans. The Lancet, a respected medical journal, recently released studies that raised the question again, “Should children, teens, and young adults be taking antidepres-
sants?” Studies showed that only one antidepressant (Prozac) out of the 14 tested showed any benefits. The Lancet noted that many trials were funded by drug companies which raised questions regarding the reliability of the results. Elise said, “Depression makes you see things differently, and I definitely saw things for the worse… taking antidepressants as well as seeing my therapist really helps combat it.” “Even now, depression is still something that affects me every day of my life and may continue to affect me forever. However, for me, taking antidepressants was the first step in a very long journey of recovery,” she added. Lahoste said, “The data on treatment outcome consistently show that a combination of pharmacotherapy and cognitive therapy leads to the best outcome.” Antidepressants do come with side effects, as do all medications, but Lahoste highlights the importance of antidepressants and the consequences of diminishing the use of them, which was seen after the 2004 Black box warning, “As a result, in the years that followed prescriptions written for antidepressants decreased, and suicide increased! Many investigators believe there is a causal link between under-medication and the increased suicide that resulted from these warning labels.”
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
QUESTION OF THE WEEK What are your thoughts on the TOPS cut? “The TOPS cuts are pretty messed up. Some people worked really hard to get that ACT score and aren’t getting [TOPS]. When you struggle to be good with standardized testing, you want to receive something from that hard work.”
ALEJANDRO SOTO Freshman, Computer Science
“I think that the TOPS cuts really suck. There are a bunch of people that really worked hard to earn that money from the State, but are not getting the amount of money, if any at all, that they deserve.”
COLLIN CAMARDELLE Freshman, English
“I think it’s [TOPS] a very beneficial thing for students, but sadly it does not cover full tuition anymore. Also, I think students that have worked their butts off for a good ACT score to have their tuition paid honestly deserve it, but now it’s just gone.”
ABDELMUNEM ALKHATIB Freshman, Bio Pre-Med
“I don't think it’s fair, but Louisiana depends on the oil industry selling a barrel at $70-80. When it’s $40 a barrel they really have no money in the budget to fund TOPS.”
ASHTON MCRAE Senior, Finance
“For TOPS, I got an email from UNO that said they were taking 10 percent out of it which didn’t really bother me. I’m just worried about the spring semester, because I don’t know if I’ll get enough [money].”
BRIANNA MCMANUS Junior, Film Arts
Compiled by Nathan Nguyen
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
SPORTS
COLUMN Simone Manuel scores more than a medal
Freshman Jordan Yauch (Biological Sciences) propells Lady Privateers to triumph. Photo coutesy of UNO Athletics/Ron O’Rourke
Lady Privateers welcome alumni to preseason scrimmage BY UNO ATHLETICS The University of New Orleans volleyball team played its lone tune-up before the 2016 season begins on Friday evening, hosting Privateer alumni in a two-set exhibition before competing in the annual silver & blue intrasquad scrimmage. With the graduation of 2015 seniors Celeste Ramirez and Lauren Levy, the Privateers will have to fill the roles of primary setter and libero for the upcoming campaign. Vying for the setter position are freshmen Sophie Mitchell, Sarah Thomas (Accounting) and Mikaila Paxton (Health Care Management). In line for the defensive spot include sophomore Samantha Uline (Exercise Physiology) and freshman Andrea Nava (Education). The intrasquad tilt was the first for nine members of the team, who joined the eight returning letterwinners to make up the 2016 roster. The veteran corps is highlighted by sophomore outside hitter Blessing Dunn (Business Management), an all-conference preseason honoree after leading the Privateers in points (352), points per set (3.17) kills (304) and kills per set (2.74). Other returners from last seasons’ turnaround are seniors Keke Richards (Business Management) and
Takierra Boughton (Interdisciplinary Studies), junior Rondolyn Bryant (Exercise Physiology) and sophomore Kaitlyn Grice (Biology). In the intrasquad match, a split 1-1 contest, sophomore Blessing Dunn (Business Management) came close to a double-double with eight kills and nine digs for the blue team while freshman Brianna Vega (Biological Sciences) led the silver side with six tallies. The silver team prevailed in the first frame 25-18 and looked to complete the sweep before an 8-0 rally by the blue unit, highlighted by three service aces from freshman Jordan Yauch (Biological Sciences), propelled them to a 25-22 triumph. “We tried our best to split the two sides to make them competitive,” head coach Millicent Van Norden explained. “A match like this gives us coaches a chance to see what things we need to improve on before the season starts next week. This was our only scrimmage so we tried to get the most out of it.” The Privateers began the evening with an exhibition against a team comprised of UNO alumni. The graduates proved they could compete with their collegiate counterparts but fell short in both sets 2517, 25-11.Representing the alumni team was Christine Guilbeau, Monique Theriot, Melissa Carvella,
Courtney Zimmer, Kelli Melerine, Jayne Duncan, Mary Clement, Jodee Pvlizzana and Lauren Levi. “We have been making a strong push on building this alumni match, “Van Norden concluded, “and the number of alumni that showed this year reflects that. Most of them are still involved in volleyball as coaches so we let them help coach the teams in the intrasquad match which everyone enjoys.” Last season, UNO recorded the third-best turnaround in the country in wins and losses with a 19-16 overall record while posting a program-record seven Southland Conference victories to clinch the programs first SLC tournament berth. The Privateers led the league in services aces and finished second in the nation with 228 while ranking fifth with a 1.81 serve per set average. Headlining UNO’s returners at the stripe are Uline and Dunn, who boasted 33 and 32 service aces in 2015, respectively. The Privateers open the 2016 regular season on Friday, Aug. 26, when they travel to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to take part in the Redhawks Drury Hotels Invitational when they will take on host Southeast Missouri State and Louisiana Tech before battling Illinois-Chicago on Aug. 27. Admission to all home Privateer matches is free.
BY ANJANAE CRUMP Managing Editor On Aug. 11, Simone Manuel made history when she won the individual event in swimming at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She had a record time of 52.7 seconds, which tied her for gold with Penny Oleksiak of Canada. But what makes her so special goes much deeper than the speed she clocked in - Manuel is the first African American to ever win in that category. Winning anything at the Olympics is a major accomplishment, but when the victory also breaks color barriers, it holds a certain significance that only a person who has experienced the deprivation of equality can truly understand. After winning, Manuel said, “I mean, this medal is not just for me, it’s for a whole bunch of people who have come before me and been an inspiration to me. It’s for all the people after me who believe they can’t do it. I just want to be an inspiration to others: you can do it.” An inspiration is exactly what she is. Black girls all over America got to see a
role model that looks like them, their mothers, sisters and friends. They see a black woman on TV winning awards while accomplishing her dreams. They get to see that the same greatness they are conditioned to believe they’re not capable of is indeed within their reach. It was only a few decades ago that a hotel in Las Vegas drained its entire pool after iconic black entertainer Dorothy Dandridge stuck her toe in it. To go from not being allowed to swim in a pool to winning gold at the Olympics - for swimming is a pretty amazing moment to behold. Not only does it break ridiculous stereotypes that black people can’t swim or that black women opt out of swimming to avoid messing their hair up, Manuel’s example shows that black women are fearless, even when faced with obstacles. Manuel’s win bestows pride among the entire black community and hope for its younger generation. Pictures of little girls standing in front of the TV smiling next to the projected faces of powerful black women like Manuel are featured all over social media and show just how important representation truly is. Simone Manuel’s Olympic journey was not perfect, but her triumph shows that she can conquer just as much as any other woman. It reflects more than just beating the competition and winning a medal, it is beating the statistical odds and winning a place in life often exclusive of people who look like Simone Manuel.
WELCOME BACK LUAU Interested in contributing to Driftwood? Contact: driftwoodeditor@uno.edu Photo by Ryan Williams
UNO students attended the free Student Activities Concil (SAC) sponsored Hawaiian event last Thursday in the Cove. It was filled with games, prizes, dance contests and a DJ. It was lit.
We’re looking for writers, photographers and videographers.
FEATURES
Punishment for smoking weed depends on who catches you CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 But while the NOPD can flipflop between municipal and state laws, it appears that state police might not have the same capability. “Right now, they are enforcing state law only,” NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said of the Louisiana State Police. “We can certainly grant them permission to use our citations. The question then becomes whether their internal policy would allow for that.” State Trooper Spokesperson Melissa Matey explained that this would not be the case, meaning that state officers patrolling the French Quarter and other areas of the city will continue to enforce state charges for simple possession cases - state laws that include jail time. Matey explained,”The Louisiana State Police are responsible
for enforcing state law across the state of Louisiana and we want to remain consistent from New Orleans all the way to Shreveport...There are differences when it comes to laws from municipal ordinances versus state law, and again, Louisiana State Police will enforce state law that says that you cannot possess marijuana, which is a Schedule I substance here in the state of Louisiana.” In fact, according to federal law, marijuana use is not legal anywhere in the United States, a decision reaffirmed last Thursday when the DEA announced that marijuana would continue to remain a Schedule I drug – one with high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use – along with others such as LSD and heroin. Guidry warned,“As a reminder, this ordinance does not decriminalize or legalize marijuana use in New Orleans.”
“It has a lot to do with keeping people out of jail who do not belong in jail.”
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
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FINANCING YOUR FUTURE TODAY
Introduction to investing
BY FERNANDO J. SABALLOS Driftwood Contibutor So you’re eager to play the stock market, or you want to put your money into a 401k or IRA and let it grow for retirement. Maybe you’re a risk taker and want to do your finest impersonation of a Wall Street broker by day trading on the market from open till close. Whatever your method is, you must have a brokerage account, and oftentimes, prospective investors can’t figure out how to get started. The process of trading is actually quite simple, but having the appropriate criteria to open an account is the real hurdle, especially for college students with limited funds. Let’s start with a definition: brokerage account. A brokerage account is an arrangement between an investor and a licensed brokerage firm that allows the in-
Student Legal Services
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the perks I receive are extraordinary. The debit card attached to my checking account reimburses worldwide ATM fees. Another cherry-on-top: my checking account also bears a variable rate interest income. While the percentage is a microscopic 0.06 percent at enrollment, it still beats the interest income on my Whitney Bank checking, which is 0. Due to my excellent relationship with Schwab, my opinion remains biased, but other companies like Fidelity, E*Trade and TD Ameritrade offer a variety of similar services and perks. Your decision will ultimately be based on what personally appeals to you, whether it’s lower fees or expanded research tools. Establishing a comfortable relationship with your brokerage firm is crucial to your success as an investor. For side-by-side comparisons of the top brokers available, visit Stockbrokers. com. The site compares account minimums, fees, investment securities, and even the quantity of commission-free funds available. It is important to always keep in mind that money in the market is not FDIC insured, meaning if your account value decreases, the company is not liable for any loss. However, joint-checking and -savings accounts, such as mine, are FDIC insured and safe from harm.
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vestor to place investment orders through the brokerage firm. So where can you open a brokerage account? There are countless firms to choose from, and sifting through all of them in order to find the right fit can be the most daunting task. It’s similar to choosing a bank for your checking and savings needs. You want to entrust a firm to provide you with the highest-quality services, resources and considerations. The standard for opening an account is having an initial minimum balance. Fidelity National Financial, for example, requires a $2,500 minimum and adds a $7.95 commission fee to each stock trade. E*Trade Financial requires a $500 minimum but adds a $9.99 commission fee to each stock trade. The Charles Schwab Corporation requires a $1,000 minimum and adds an $8.95 commission fee. Though I had nowhere near the $1,000 minimum balance, I decided to choose Schwab because the enrollment offered terms were too good to pass up. Typically, commercial banks charge fees when funds are below a certain amount. But by opening a joint-checking and -brokerage account, I did not have to maintain the minimum balance. Schwab allows for a $0 checking and a $0 brokerage minimum. In addition to an enticing deal,
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Michael Tusa, JD (504) 280-6229 Wednesday 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Thursday 1 PM - 6 PM
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
CATASTROPHIC FLOOD DRENCHES LA
Historic flooding from heavy rain fall devastates Louisiana.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Hally and Joyce’s story is similar to the thousands of others who were not only affected, but devastated by the historic flooding. Many Louisiana residents were baffled when the media initially paid little attention to the story. “I think it’s
Photos by Nathan Nguyen and Christopher Walker
important that the rest of the United States knows that Louisiana is going to need help. So many people lost everything,” Lambert said. Against explicit requests by the governor to stay away, Donald Trump came down to help in person, distributing water and supplies while Hillary Clinton urged her supporters to donate to the Red
Cross and a Baton Rouge charity. Edwards encouraged people who wanted to help to do so through local charities as well. “Everyone in Denham Springs really banded together and helped each other out,” said Kahl. “Everyone that could lend a hand did. It shows what a strong community we have. I’m proud of my city.”
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Psychedelic drugs may have medical benefits BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Editor-in-Chief MDMA, the wildly popular, seminal party drug of the 1980’s has recently made a comeback with America’s youth, riding on the coattails on the EDM craze. And with MDMA’s resurgence, scientists are revisiting why MDMA was created in the first place; as a therapeutic drug. Albert Garcia-Romeu, Ph.D. a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is currently researching the effects of psychedelic compounds in human subjects including MDMA. According to Garcia-Romeu, “There are a number of ways that MDMA can improve the treatment efficacy of standard psychotherapy.” “One of the main effects that researchers are interested in is this drug’s ability to reduce the brain’s responses to fearful or negative emotional stimuli, which may facilitate the re-examination of past traumas in the therapeutic setting.” Under the effects of MDMA, a massive amount of serotonin is released, the body’s “feel-good chemical”. While this serotonin does nothing by itself, if the patient is forced to think and talk about traumatic events under this serotonin’s influence, the brain can begin to re-associate that memory with positive feelings, a process called memory reconsolidation. The brain, under the influence of MDMA, can literally rewire traumatic experiences as positive. Hence, MDMA’s
potentially revolutionary effect on PTSD treatment. In fact, research conducted by Harvard University supports the premise that “A few sessions of MDMA-induced therapy can any times achieving in a few sessions what might take years in traditional therapeutic settings.” While the idea of taking recreational drugs with the potential for abuse might seem like a novel idea, Garcia-Romeu counters “many widely accepted medications such as opioid painkillers and stimulants like amphetamine are used recreationally, and sometimes abused, but they are also considered useful treatments for particular conditions when taken under appropriate medical supervision. On the other hand, drugs like MDMA or LSD have largely been seen as drugs of abuse because people use them recreationally, but I don’t think this precludes them from having real therapeutic potentials.” There are several reputable groups that are interested in promoting research into the therapeutic benefits of drugs like MDMA and other Schedule I compounds as potential clinical aids. But Romeu sees three serious hurdles for the
treatment to make headway. “First, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is not currently an accepted treatment for PTSD in the medical community by and large. It is generally considered an experimental treatment, which has shown some promising results, but will need to be investigated further and in larger samples before being FDA approved and made available to the public.”
making adoption of psychedelic-facilitated treatments a potential risk for pharmaceutical companies who comprise a massive multi-billion dollar industry.” Zoloft and Paxil, the traditional treatments for PTSD, can cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and suicidal thoughts, whereas a single dose of medical-grade MDMA may only cause increases in heart rate and blood pressure during the session, and fatigue, loss of appetite and low mood for a day or so afterward. Not only are the side effects of traditional antidepressants worse than MDMA, but recently MDMA has been shown to be a far more effective treatment. Over the last year, four separate experiments were given the goahead, and 83 percent of those who have undergone this treatment were cured of their PTSD. This is over 400 percent more effective than those cured by traditional talk– based therapy sessions. Traditional medication attempts to cover-up the wound while MDMA might heal it altogether. “Finally, these treatments would require something of a paradigm shift in medicine, in part because this isn’t a simple take two of these and call me in the morning type
“I think the medical cannabis movement has in some respects paved the way for the possibility that the medical establishment and the general public may reconsider a drug that was once thought to be mostly recreational, and see that it indeed has some therapeutic value and applications.” “Secondly, some of these drugs are either naturally occurring (like cannabis and psilocybin), or off-patent (like MDMA and LSD), meaning it would be difficult if not impossible for a pharmaceutical company to profit from them. In fact, these drugs could directly compete with widely used medications like antidepressants, thereby
of scenario. This is quite different from the current medical model in which many people would like to simply take a pill and for their problem to be cured.” “Using medication-assisted treatment will require a new generation of therapists to be trained who are comfortable with and knowledgeable regarding not only the biochemistry of the substance being used, but also the altered states of consciousness they can engender, and how best to use these altered states as part of a therapeutic treatment. Nevertheless, despite all these issues, I do believe that we will see drugs like MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD being used as part of accepted medical treatments in our lifetime, and we are currently witnessing the sea change that will push us into that new era.” “At present, many psychological maladies such as PTSD, addiction, and depression have less than optimal treatment options available. There are some treatments that work for some people, but the outcomes are generally less successful than we would like. Taking that into account, I think there is a real possibility that we will see further momentum of these types of approaches in the coming years. I think the medical cannabis movement has in some respects paved the way for the possibility that the medical establishment and the general public may reconsider a drug that was once thought to be mostly recreational, and see that it indeed has some therapeutic value and applications.”
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8
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
ENTERTAINMENT
Frank Ocean debuts new album (It’s about damn time)
Photo courtesy of Island Def Jam
BY LONES GAGNARD Driftwood Contributor In a world bursting at its seams with regurgitated, remixed beats and repetitive sing-along choruses, Frank Ocean has released “Blonde,” a testament to individuality and an ode to the inherent courage found walking one’s own path.
Ocean sonically changed course from his breakout debut album “Channel Orange”, a radio dreamboat full of catchy R&B serenades ready to be put on repeat for four years. On “Blonde,” Ocean has stepped back from his tried-andtrue production in order to explore raw, experimental new ground. Every track is stripped bare, with minimalist production leading to each snare, bass hit and chirp of birds demanding attention. This change in production lends itself to the lyricism throughout the entire album with self-searching vulnerability. Frank Ocean is writing poetry instead of songs, and allows us to see the person he truly is, or rather see the struggle Ocean faces as he searches for who he is. “Blonde” is a concept album, and its lush, dream-like rhythms intertwine every second of every track into one solid piece. The album has big, name-dropping features; although, more often than not, they occupy the background. Ocean does not rely on famous names to carry his music. “Pink+White,” the
third track on the album, could have featured any background singer, but it is none other than Beyoncé. Kendrick Lamar has as much song time as the chiming of birds does on “Skyline To.” These superstars underlying Ocean’s songs are just another aspect begging you to dig in deeper and listen to every note and every harmony. With “Blonde” and “Endless,” Ocean has shown he wasn’t just leading us on for the last few years, but has been evolving as a musician and, more importantly, as an artist. He is breaking new ground in music, nothing that has come before “Blonde” is quite like it. Frank Ocean has created soul music that mixes dream-pop, trap, alternative R&B and hip-hop. While Ocean may not be topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Blonde,” he has cemented his status in music history as a music legend, not just a man who got lucky with a single album. He has paved the way for other albums towing the line between R&B and art.
STAFF PICKS LUNCH DATES
KELLEY DAVIS - LIVE OAK CAFÉ 8140 OAK STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LA Looking for a cozy little spot to take that hottie you’ve been eyeing for a good while now? Look no further than Live Oak Café, located in the heart of uptown, off of Carrollton on - you guessed it Oak Street. I recently went to the newly renovated Oak Street Café for brunch and was pleasantly surprised at the brightly colored interior, the piano and harmonica singing duo playing inside the restaurant, and the decently priced, delicious menu available. Most of their entrees don’t run over $10, and they offer a wide variety of meals, ranging from pancakes with Chantilly cream, to a tasty BLT sandwich, and plenty of egg breakfast specials that will make your mouth water by just reading the descriptions. Bonus: take your lunch date for a stroll down the eclectic shops on Oak Street for brownie points!
NATHAN NGUYEN - SEERSUCKER 938 HANCOCK STREET, GRETNA, LA Seerksucker is a local restaurant that has a casual atmosphere and a great, fun staff. It’s super affordable - most meals cost around $10 per person. This place is my tried and true. It may not be fancy or romantic, but it is the first restaurant I think of when I want to take someone on a lunch date. You can get anything from red beans and rice with a side of cornbread or even a po’boy. When I go to Seersucker, I know the service will be quick and wonderful, the food will be even better, and my wallet will be able to afford a second date.
CHRISTOPHER WALKER - BA CHI CANTEEN 7900 MAPLE STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LA
Photo courtesy of Island Def Jam
Frank Ocean bores with visual album, “Endless” BY LEO CASTELL Driftwood Staff Frank Ocean’s “Endless” is a 45-minute visual album that was released the day before his much-anticipated second studio album, “Blonde”. “Endless” seemed to occupy a strange space between music video and art film, much like Beyonce’s last two visual accompaniments to her albums. But it isn’t quite fully realized, so I can understand why Ocean decided to call it a visual album. The visual portion of “Endless” simply serves to color the music heard throughout, ironic, because
its entirety is shot in black and white. It doesn’t really have any kind of narrative; it simply includes Ocean and a few clones of himself working with power tools in a big room. If that sounds a little unexciting, that’s because it is. With or without the visuals, the music is perfectly entertaining and will satisfy any of Ocean’s fans. But if you’re sitting down to watch the album, it might be difficult to keep your eyes from drifting. The closest thing to compare “Endless” to is the visualizer effect one might find in music apps. In that regard, it’s more than ful-
filling, to anyone who might be passionate about visual effects. After watching it once, you probably wouldn’t want to watch it again and would rather just listen to the music on its own. I can see this album being played on TV screens in a club where people can look at it for a bit in between doing other things, but even then it’s so long that everyone would be listening to Frank Ocean for almost an hour rather than going through some kind of music video rotation. Ultimately, “Endless” is an inoffensive extra that adds very little, but at least doesn’t take anything way.
Over on Maple Street, deep in Uptown, there lies a fantastic Vietnamese restaurant named Ba Chi Canteen. For some, the idea of Vietnamese food is terrifying, as they rarely step outside their comfort food of traditional American/Mexican/Chinese. Trust me, try their tacos (Vietnamese tacos), and you’ll fall in love with the cuisine. Once you have a feel for Vietnamese food, you’ll need to try the pho, spring rolls, and peanut butter sauce. Low prices and terrific outdoor seating make Ba Chi Canteen a terrific place for a lunch date.
MINDY JARRETT - LA CASITA 634 JULIA STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LA Dating can be nerve-wracking, but the right spot can help to curb them. The original restaurant on Julia Street in the CBD and the newly opened La Casita Taqueria on Oak Street, uptown, both offer a lively atmosphere that won’t leave you sitting in an awkward silence during the date. The menu offers variety without being excessive. Its “simple tacos” are great even for those unsure of Mexican food. But the daily happy hour is its best asset. From 3-7 p.m. every day, the restaurant offers both drink and food specials – those simple tacos are $2.
ENTERTAINMENT
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
9
Netflix Original Series “Stranger Things” captivates
BY LONES GAGNARD
Photo courtesy of Netflix
success of “House of Cards” and
Driftwood Contributor
“Orange is the New Black.” During
Netflix’s Original Series collection has picked up steam with the
potential cult classic to its repertoire
the summer, Netflix added another in the form of childhood friendship,
government cover-ups, and rapidly blinking Christmas lights. “Stranger Things”, created by the Duffer brothers, tells the story of a missing child named Will Byers and one town’s pursuit to find him that begins to unravel much darker plottings. Set in 1983, “Stranger Things” introduces a strong nostalgic theme from its onset. The Duffer brothers remind us of what it was like to be a child playing games with your friends in their basement when you were allowed to be as imaginative as you wanted. Matt and Ross Duffer create the same feeling of comradery that classics “The Goonies” and “Stand By Me” allow. These movies and themes are not the only ingredients in this retro concoction; the Duffer brothers pay homage to Steven Spielberg’s suburban films, John Carpenter’s cinematic scores and Stephen King’s
Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
“Everybody Wants Some!!” is best film of the year BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Editor-in-Chief Richard Linklater, director of 2016’s best film “Everybody Wants Some”, is primarily known for two iconic movies. 1993’s “Dazed and Confused” and 2014’s “Boyhood”. Both are hard to interpret as anything but at least semi-autobiographical, as they are both male coming-of-age stories, and deal with how the time period one grows up in shapes who they are. What’s the plot of “Everybody Wants Some”? A college baseball team hangs out during the last three days of summer. No house to save like in “Animal House”, no big game to win like in “Friday Night Lights”. Just a team practicing baseball during the day, goofing around during the afternoon, and trying to pick up girls at night. When asked to pick his top 10 favorite films of all time, Quentin Tarantino listed Linklater’s previ-
ous work “Dazed and Confused”,describing it as “hanging out with your best friends you haven’t seen in a couple of years for a few hours”. And that holds true for this film: these characters are loveable baseball players enjoying their youth and caring for one another in a fraternal manner. Richard Linklater’s films aren’t typical movies, they don’t rely on Hollywood plot structure. No first act, second act, third act. Although there is tension and dialogue in each scene, when taken together as a whole, there is little else than events happening one after another. But these characters are so unfathomably well-written, unthinkably well-cast, and acted that there is no other way to describe this film than the work of a genius. Although there is an unmistakable similarity of tone between the two works, I don’t recommend “Dazed and Confused” to people my age. I understand why those who went to high school in the 1970’s enjoy the work, they’re
seeing their life reflected, but as a college kid who attended high school in the early 2010s, Dazed and Confused did not strike a chord with me. Nowadays, high school is not looked on as the end-all-be-all it was to many people in the ‘70s. The characters meditating on their youth and how adulthood was after this and wishing they could go back and do it all again when they graduate high school doesn’t strike a chord with me, or with most people my age. It comes across as sad. “Dazed and Confused,” for our generation, falls flat. And one can’t help but wonder if Linklater is aware of this and decided to update his old film, essentially creating Dazed and Confused for this generation. If he did, I’m eternally grateful. Everybody Wants Some contains some of the most fully realized, hilarious, heartwarming characters in cinema history. An absolute delight from start-to-finish.
chilling storytelling. These throwback tropes are mixed together in a way that pushes them, as a whole, forward. While some can say it would be easy to combine all of these age-old themes into one complete work, few succeed on the level “Stanger Things” does. What’s even more surprising is that the Duffer brothers succeeded without the use of current stars. As if this television series couldn’t feel more 80’s, the leading lady is none other than “Beetlejuice” and “Heathers” star Winona Ryder. Though Ryder’s career has of late cast her in supporting roles, her portrayal as Joyce Byers, a hysterical mother desperate to find her son, gives the audience a taste of the talent Ryder rarely has the chance to show off anymore. Ryder is joined by David Harbour, who starred in both “Quantum of Solace” and “Revolutionary
Road”. Cast as the tough Sheriff Hopper, a man with nothing on his mind but regret, Harbour delivers a powerful performance in his unending search for Will and his perpetual support of Joyce. As Hopper begins travelling down the rabbit hole, he never have guessed what was going to be at the end of it. From the first episode of the series, every episode gains momentum, hurdling toward a thrilling, exploding climax. Though most questions are answered by the end of episode 8, fans want more and were delighted to hear that season 2 was confirmed by the network. “Stranger Things” has nuzzled itself cozily into a concentrated niche that is set to thrive for more seasons to come. Whether you are interested in alien monsters, parallel worlds, or walkie-talkies and rotary phones, this spooky summer blockbuster is sure to have something for you.
Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
“Nerve,” a satisfying thriller BY MILAN HOLLMAN Driftwood Contributor “Nerve” is a modern-day thriller based of the book by Jeanne Ryan. Teenagers play “Nerve” an online truth-or-dare game without the dares. They are divided into categories: players and watchers; watchers pay to watch while players get paid to play. A magnificent Emma Roberts (“Scream Queens,” “We’re the Millers”) plays Vee, a self-conscious, high school senior who feels that her friends think she is boring and timid. Vee’s friend Sydney (Emily Meade) is a player of the game, “Nerve,” inspires Vee to join the game. Right away, Vee earns $50 simply by going to a local bar, then $100 to kiss a stranger. The stranger, Ian (Dave Franco) turns out to be a player, too. But it turns out that the cunning Ian was sent by manipulating watchers, hoping that Vee would meet him.
The viewers can’t get enough, and the pair recognize the opportunity available to them and decide to team up with the hopes of getting more likes and even more viewers. The players have only one goal in mind: to be the two most-beloved players when the timer runs out. They will be stopped by nothing to reach their goal, always aware of the anonymous watchers live-streaming Vee and Ian’s every moves. With its unexpected plot twists, this 96-minute movie will appeal to moviegoers who enjoy action, thrillers or mysteries, keeping them on the edge of their seats for minutes on end. The film also does a good job of bringing to light the dangers of a tech-based world where people are always online, never sure of who might be anonymously watching. Upon exiting the theatre, viewers will think twice about internet security, or the lack of it, and the consequences of what they post online.
10
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
COMICS & PUZZLES
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sudoku
word search
DEPRESSION DRUGS ENDLESS EVACUATION
FLOOD HURRICANE MARIJUANA MDMA
sssssssssssssssssssssss
NERVE OLYMPICS OPIOD SIMONE
OPINION
EDITORIAL
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
11
PERSPECTIVE
NOLA pot ordinance pointless Our government is good at giving its citizens the run-around while simultaneously letting the American people believe it is working toward progress, and nothing proves this more than New Orleans’ recent marijuana ordinance. Marijuana is illegal. Federal law makes this quite clear. And if federal law, which trumps both state and municipal (city) law, states that marijuana is illegal, why is it necessary for local governments to go any further than that? But the city of New Orleans did go further, by rewriting this law in a process that began six years ago. The results are not clear-cut, and its ambiguities leave the door open for trouble to make its way in. Eligibility tows the ambiguous line. Who will be ticketed, and who will be arrested? That’s the luck of the draw, the flip of the coin, the roll of the dice. True, a
New Orleans Police Department officer has to receive supervisory approval in order to arrest a citizen, but what does that process even entail? Can the officer simply text or radio in his or her coworker to receive approval? Does it require transporting the offender to the supervisor’s location? Or does the supervisor come to the offender? Is there just one supervisor for the entire department? Second, and perhaps the biggest issue with the ordinance, is the non-compliance of state police officers. The Louisiana State Police, who patrol throughout New Orleans with a particularly heavy patrol in the French Quarter, do not abide by the new ordinance. Again, this leaves the outcome of the offense to the luck of the draw: two citizens can commit the same offense, but the person caught by a state police officer will be penalized more.
In the six years since NOPD officers have been allowed to issue tickets to first-time offenders, no one even bothered to address the counteracting state law. So I ask again: what is the point? Why did it take six years to agree that subsequent offenders would be fined in increasing increments of $20? Moreover, why would offenders pay the fine when the ordinance explicitly states that an offender will not face consequences if the fine is not paid? You’ve got to take the good when you get it, and the core of this ordinance is good for the people. But the process by which it was achieved is appalling, yet it is also one that the government would have you praise it for. The new marijuana ordinance is nothing but a shiny distraction over the rust-covered path that leads to the government.
COLUMNS History reveals drug usage nothing new
BY KELLEY DAVIS Driftwood Contributor Drug usage among humans is nothing new. Our ancestors have been using drugs for over 10,000 years according to a study done by Elisa Guerra-Doce, an anthropologist and professor at the University
of Valladolid in Spain. Germany, Switzerland, and Spain were found to be cultivating opium poppies as far back as 6000 B.C, and our Neolithic ancestors as far back as 8000 B.C. Smoking paraphernalia has been discovered in old tombs, China was fermenting alcohol 9000 years ago, and around 500 BC, sculptures depicted the semblance of psilocybin mushrooms were created in Central America. Most of have used one drug or another in our lifetimes. Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are some of the common drugs young people use openly and freely in today’s culture. It’s the same reason you spun around in a circle really fast when you were a kid; you did it to feel lightheaded and funny! Those
that do drugs in adulthood get that same kind of temporary escape from reality, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But be careful. Most of the population has it biologically wired into them to like drugs. A few select people are wired too hard, and they end up liking drugs too much. I know quite a few people who have been ruined by drugs, not because they tried drugs others didn’t dare touch, but because they had it wired into them to like those kinds of drugs better than others. An alcoholic typically has that trait wired into them when they’re born, they just discover it. Moderation is key thing to remember if you are going to take the chance dabbling with illegal and possibly very dangerous substances.
April Curran
Christopher Walker Editor-in-Chief driftwoodeditor@uno.edu
Anjanae Crump Managing Editor driftwood@uno.edu
Visuals Director | Grant Campbell • • • • • • • • • • • • driftwoodart@uno.edu Copy Editor | Mindy Jarrett • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • mjarrett@uno.edu Adviser | Vickie Kennedy • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • vkennedy@uno.edu Reporters: Leo Castell, Lones Gagnard, Brittany Karno, Jamie Lloyd, Lindsay Maxie, Regine Meridy & Nathan Nguyen Contributors: Roxanne Ardekani, Kelley Davis, Milan Hollman & Fernando J. Saballos Illustrators: April Curran & Delvonte Smith
Driftwood is produced solely by students of the University of New Orleans. Driftwood publishes every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters with the exception of holiday breaks and midterms/finals week. Editorials are the opinions of the Driftwood editorial staff and do not reflect the opinions of the University of New Orleans, its administration or staff. Letters to the Editor and columns are the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinion of the Driftwood editorial board. All letters to the Editor are subject to editing for length, style and grammar. Please limit letters to 500 words. Submissions can be emailed to driftwoodeditor@ uno.edu and must be sent no later than 5p.m. on the Monday before publication. 2000 Lakeshore Drive, UC 252, New Orleans, LA 70148 (504) 280-6377
Opiod abuse devastates lives of more than the addict
BY APRIL CURRAN Driftwood Staff The abuse of drugs has been an ongoing epidemic, starting long before today. It is estimated that over 13.5 million people in the world now take opioids.
Heroin is the drug used most of all opiates. For addicts, heroin becomes a lifestyle. The more frequently the drug is used, the more rapidly the brain and nervous system adjust to the chemical changes that it causes. Addiction happens easier than most people think and breaking the habit can be harder than ever imagined. One of the only methods that really works is the pill Suboxone, which is administered at detox clinics, which most addicts either cannot afford or are reluctant to try. Many end up losing their family or thrown into money hungry prisons, where there is no help and their hopelessness is often exacerbated. But heroin is not all there is to it. There is a new, even more danger-
ous drug circulating called Fentanyl being smuggled in from Afghanistan as reported by the American Free Press. It is a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and one hundred times stronger than morphine according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Most users aren’t even aware of its existence and are exposed when they take what they believe is a normal dose of heroin. Unfortunately, it tends to be deadly and until recently didn’t even show up on autopsy reports. There are even more drugs plaguing our country and some of them may be in your medicine cabinet. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 52 million people over the age of
12 have used prescription drugs non-medically. Painkillers, such as oxycodone, are often thought to be over-prescribed by doctors and some people don’t stop until the bottle is empty. At that point, if addiction has occurred, many turn to the black market to get more. Once the cycle starts it is often hard to end and once a tolerance has been built, many go on to try even harder drugs. This is more than just a personal problem. It is partly our responsibility to help those in need. President Barack Obama tried to contribute to the solution of this epidemic with a new bill passed funding addiction research but according to retired sociology pro-
fessor David Allen, “[It is] a bad idea to just throw money at the problem because that will not do anything. We are not going to solve any problems by spending more on treatment and studies of the effectiveness of treatment. Others in the past have turned up calculating disappointing rates of long-term recovery. We already spend more than any other country in the world by all measures.” The person affected is somebody’s child. Somebody’s sibling. Somebody’s friend. Drug addiction ruins lives and is to be treated genuinely. If you know anyone with a problem, please call 1-877-7595122 to receive assistance. It is never too early to intervene or too late to save a life.