After a long night of drinking, some people say they will never drink alcohol again but never stick to their word. Patricia Weeks vowed to never drink again, and she meant it. The 22-year-old biology senior drank her first alcoholic drink, Jack Daniels and Coke, two years ago on New Year’s Eve. “I got drunk, made a fool of myself and hurt those around me,” Weeks said. According to the Campus-Community Coalition for Change’s Web site, the 2003 College Alcohol Study revealed that 75 percent of University students reported that they consumed zero to four alcoholic drinks per occasion in the past 30 days. Nancy Mathews, CCCC executive director, said the 2005 study revealed similar statistics. Mathews said 9 percent of students reported in the 2005 study that they do not drink alcohol. Weeks said she did not like the effect alcohol had on her. “I didn’t like the behavior and attitude I had while being drunk,” she said. “I didn’t like the recollection of what I had said and done the night before and the realization of other people’s feelings that I had hurt.” In addition to deciding not to drink alcohol, Weeks said she does not use tobacco, do drugs or engage in casual sex. Her close ties to Christianity play a role in her decisions. “It is my faith and salvation in Christ Jesus my lord and savior, past experiences [and] the life lessons learned from watching other people make mistake[s] that has grounded me so strongly against doing these things,” she said. “I am not saying that I am perfect in any respect. I struggle with temptations every day just as everyone else in this world does.” Weeks said she does not think people should engage in casual sex because it is detrimental to them. “The Bible says that sex was created by God and that [it’s] only supposed to be used in the right context that God intended for it to be – marriage,” she said. Timothy Moore, sociology senior, said he drank alcohol and smoked when he was in high school but discontinued these habits when he entered college and delved deeper into Christianity. “I find that they’re all hindrances from what I want to do,” he said. Moore said he plans to enroll in law school after he graduates from the University. Shenna Plant, psychology and Spanish senior, said she does not drink alcohol or smoke because they are not activities the Bible condones. She said she does not need to drink, smoke, do drugs or have casual sex to enjoy life to the fullest. “I have a pretty full, happy life without those things,” she said. Some students do not attribute their decisions about alcohol, tobacco use, drugs and casual sex to religion. “I have intrinsic motivations,” said Everett Baudean, criminology junior. “I do it for myself. To a degree I do it for my family, but the overriding factor is my personal view of myself and sense of self-respect and what I feel makes me a good or strong person.” Rebecca Cowie, English and French senior, said she does not understand the appeal of drinking, smoking, doing drugs and casual sex. “I don’t smoke because it’s one of the most unhealthy things someone can do,” she said. “Some people who are concerned with their health don’t have a problem with smoking. It’s weird.” Weeks said finding other students on campus who do not drink, smoke, do drugs or have casual sex is difficult. “LSU has been known as a party school for the longest time, no matter how much the administration tries to make it otherwise,” she said. But Cowie said finding other people like her on campus is not impossible. “Occasionally you’ll find someone on campus who doesn’t drink or smoke, and it’s nice to know that you’re not the only one,” she said. Baudean said it is easier for people in religious organizations to find other students who have the same moral beliefs. “It almost seems like it comes in a moral package,” he said. “There’s very few people who just don’t drink, not because of religion but because they think it’s stupid.” Baudean said people’s first reaction to finding out that he does not drink is to question his motives. “It’s hard for people to understand why when the motivations are a personal choice, and it doesn’t have to do with religion,” he said. Moore said some people are surprised when they learn that he no longer drinks and smokes. “If you knew me before, you wouldn’t be surprised that I don’t drink anymore,” he said. “It’s a shock to some people because a lot of people drink.”
—–Contact Angelle Barbazon at [email protected]