THE
Ink
VISTA
April 20, 1989 Vol. 87, No. 49
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Sociology to add B.A. drug option Unique-to-state degree ready for fall semester By Laurel Anquoe Student Writer
"She Stoops to Conquer" will be performed at 8 p.m. April27-29 and at 2:30 p.m. April 30 in Mitchell Hall. Practicing (from left to right) are Connie Green, Sam Morris and Gary Richomond.
Author speaks on suicide By Mei Pong Staff Writer "Suicide is a preventable act. If you know someone who is contemplating suicide, go to them and be with them," said Jerry Johnston, author of "Why Suicide," to a fullhouse audience at University Center. "Every 24 hours, 1,000 U.S. teenagers attempt suicide and 18 succeed," and this is just scratching the surface since 3/4 of all teenagers leave no suicide notes, Johnston said. The hardest hit groups are white males and females between the ages of 15-24 who come from middle-class homes. Since the 1950s when suicide was the fifth cause of death for teenagers, suicide rates have risen rapidly to become the second major cause of death. Teenagers attempt to commit suicide for many reasons, including
failed romance, deterioration of the family unit, pressure from parents to do well academically and a hunger for attention, Johnston said. Most teenagers don't want to die but attempt to commit suicide as a cry for help, Johnston said. It is, as Johnston put it, "a drastic way to call attention." Johnston told a real story about Todd, a teenager who wanted to blow his head off with a gun but survived the ordeal minus a face. Todd at that time had only two teeth left, only two slits for airway and a completely disfigured face. Todd now wants to live in spite of having to go through the ordeal of numerous operations and reconstuctive surgeries because he said i_hat he knows now that life is precious. Sociologist said that 8 out of 10 people who attempted suicide made a verbal threat before that.
Johnston said that people often just don't see the signs. Suicide occurs because of a predisposition that gestated and in time was triggered off by a final disappointment. Suicidal warning signs include suicide threats; self destructive behaviors like drug and alcohol abuse; personality changes like moodiness and withdrawal; depression and changes in appetite, sleep patterns and school performances; plans for final arrangements, such as giving away prize possessions; suicidal indications in writing or other forms; and the loss of a close friend or relative.
A bachelor's degree in sociology with a new option in chemical dependency was approved by the Academic Affairs Council in January, said Dr. Elizabeth Berger, professor of sociology and certified alcohol and drug counselor. The new degree option will be available to Central State University students in the fall semester. The option is the only baccalaureate-level degree program in this field in the state, and CSU is one of approximately. 30 colleges and universities nationally that offer such a program, she said. The program was begun because alcohol and chemical dependency are major social and health problems in the United States, and it is widely agreed in the chemical dependency field that more professional education and training is needed, she said. "I want to emphasize that this is not just a counseling degree," Berger said. Other than chemical dependency counseling, a graduate may choose to enter the chemical dependency prevention and education field since the national "war on drugs" has expanded jobs available in that area, she said. A graduate might also choose to work for employee assistance
programs that are designed to help employees in government and private business with chemical dependency problems. The program would also prepare a person to become a chemical dependency specialist or advocate in a wide variety of human service agencies such as criminal justice agencies, adolescent services and gerontology programs, Berger said. The program provides a more convenient, centralized and less expensive way to get the training necessary for certification in this field than has been available in the past, she said. A graduate will be equipped with all the knowledge necessary to take the test for certification for alcohol or drug counseling or both in Oklahoma and will have the required practicum hours for certification. Persons desiring certification in chemical dependency have until now had to attend several expensive workshops that don't necessarily provide all the needed information, usually offer no college credit, and take more time to complete, she said. Information about the program may be obtained from Berger or Dr. Richard Rettig, chairman of the sociology and criminal justice department.
Suicide can be prevented if we know the signs and can offer help or reference to trained professionals in time, Johnston said. A number that can be called for help is 1-800-692-4039.
24 vie in driving contest By Bretta Barritt Student Writer Dean Carter left his house in Hammon around 5:30 April 14 to compete in the 6th annual State Operation Driver Excellence competition at the Safety Education Center on campus. "I better win something since I had to get up so early," Carter said as the competition entered the final stage. Carter's lost sleep netted him first place, a $1,500 scholarship, a
trophy and a chance to represent Oklahoma at the national Operation Driver Excellence contest in Detroit July 8-11. Carter said he had no idea he was going to win. He was very pleased and thought it was ironic considering his earlier joke about having to get up early. Out of a possible 1,000 points, Carter earned 900. The second place winner had 898, third place had 895. "This is probably as close as it's
ever been," said Assistant Professor Carl Breazeale, adult sponsor of the Student Safety Association. John O'Leary from Edmond North High School was more confident about his win. While waiting for the tally he told friends he was going to win it. He was close. As second place winner, O'Leary won a $1,000 scholarship. O'Leary was also a member of the winning team. His teammate Please see Driving on page 8.
Dean Carter won 1st place in driving contest (Photo by The Vista staff photographer, Stan Pollard)