Students, officials discuss risky behavior, drug use

Risky sexual behavior and drug use were top issues plaguing Southern University students in a town hall meeting held a week ago in Augustus C. Blanks Hall.
“It’s only going to get worse,” said an official from the Louisiana Office of Public Health, Eugene Collins, on the night’s biggest topic, HIV infection in the African American community.
Collins, a former student of the university, revealed that Baton Rouge currently ranks at number six in HIV infections per capita and offered his thoughts on why blacks continue to heavily contribute to the infection rates.
“Our society, our race, has started to accept less,” said Collins.
Also responsible, according to Collins, is society, which he said continues to become more acceptable to risky sexual behavior.
Collins advised students to take time getting to know potential sexual partners by asking about their past sexual activities and number of partners.
“Have a little sense with it,” he said of students’ sexual behavior.
Also in attendance was Dean of Student Life, Robert Bennett, who spoke on drug and alcohol use.
“Over 75 percent of Southern University students smoke marijuana,” Bennett said.
Besides mentioning the fact that it is illegal, Bennett said that marijuana is especially dangerous because it is usually not pure and is laced with other substances that could prove harmful.
On the issue of alcohol, Bennett said that he promotes that no one use it, especially the many students on campus who are not of legal age.
“Research shows that your brain is continuing to develop until age 21,” added Murelle Harrison, head of the Southern’s psychology department.
The open discussion, which included students, faculty, and guests, left a profound effect on student Chaz Handy, a senior psychology major.
“I will input what I learned into my daily life,” Handy said of the forum.
This meeting marks the second town hall meeting held this fall and is sponsored by the Southern University Coalition of Alcohol and Risky Sexual Behavior.