Tuesday, students are about to enlightened about lighting up.
Hoping to let students “get the dope on pot,” Marijuana 101 is part of a series of programs that educate students on health related issues, including alcohol, prescription drugs, marijuana, safe sex and STIs.
“The main goal of any POWER/GAMMA program is to send students out of the room at the end of the program with more information than when they walked in so that they can make their own educated decision,” said Tyler White, a peer health educator in charge of presenting Marijuana 101. “We aren't trying to change behavior but simply give the facts.”
Located in the leadership center of Baker University Center, the talk is part of the organization’s one-hour program series that has been going on throughout the semester on Tuesdays at noon.
“We are here to provide information as we are promoting healthy living for all students. We don't condone the consumption of marijuana as it is a schedule one drug,” White said. “But we understand that it is widely used on many college campuses and we just want to educate the students on the potential health risks involved with the consumption of marijuana.”
In addition to this talk, there will be one more seminar next week,
“TRL/Positivity,” which will teach tips on how to be de-stressed, and stay cool, calm and collected during finals week.
“I hope they can learn about the dangers and different laws that would pertain to them and financial aid and things and things of that,” said Dana Santoro, president of POWER/GAMMA.
Among these topics, there is a lot of diversity in what is being taught.
“We do a lot of different programs via GAMMA, and our peer mentors are good public speakers and this is one that is giving basic information and the facts,” said John Jordan, an intern for the Campus Involvement Center. “It’s not to influence behavior, but get the facts and do better with the information.”
Ultimately, these hours are meant to educate, not distress or belittle any students when it comes to controversial topics.
“I think Tyler is trying to give a full range from health effects to fines and whatnot,” Jordan said. “It encompasses lot of things; it’s wide range.”
wa054010@ohiou.edu
If You Go:
What: Marijuana 101
When: Noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday
Where: Leadership Center, Baker Center
Admission: Free
