The discussion portion of the event was dominated by the alumni in the audience. Their comments to the panel -- composed of Nelson, Director of Undergraduate Judicial Affairs April Thompson and Coordinator of the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program Brian Bowden -- primarily addressed their concerns regarding intervention and treatment of students with serious substance abuse problems. The three older alumni, all of whom identified themselves as alcoholics currently involved in Alcoholics Anonymous, shared their views on alcohol abuse at the College, drawing heavily on personal experience.
Jay, an alumnus who identified himself by first name only, expressed his opinion that alcoholics, particularly those of college age, are often afraid to seek help.
He recounted how he had found the AA program effective because it calls for people who have conquered their own problems with alcohol to help others to do the same. Jay expressed his wish for the College to more fully integrate its treatment and intervention programs with local AA meetings.
The other alumni agreed, stating their view that Dartmouth has made great strides in increasing its awareness and education programs, but that even greater initiatives are necessary to fully address the problem of alcohol abuse.
Nelson agreed with the alumni that treatment initiatives are always important, but pointed out that his office often deals with students who are still unwilling to seek treatment. The College offers highly varied, individualized plans of intervention in order to deal with different levels of alcohol abuse as well as varying levels of cooperation.
In his presentation, Nelson further noted that while many people share the goal of reducing the negative impact of alcohol, there is rarely a uniform consensus on how this goal should be achieved, often leading to complicated regulations.
He explained Dartmouth's overall position on alcohol policies and enforcement to be based on harm reduction rather than a zero-tolerence approach.
"We are not anti-alcohol, but anti-unsafe use of alcohol or anti-illegal use of alcohol," Nelson said, adding that Dartmouth believes in maintaining an environment of open acknowledgement and discussion.
He also addressed specific Dartmouth regulations, emphasizing particularly rules like the Good Samaritan Policy, which focus primarily on safety.
"I don't want Dartmouth to have policies that get in the way of somebody calling for help," Nelson said.
In addition to the alumni in the audience, a few students also attended the event, such as Travis Green '08, who said he plans to run for student body president. Green posed questions to the panel to gain information about the College's keg policy.
Drug and Alcohol Peer Advisors Mary Cooper '07 and Eben Clattenburg '09, along with Dartmouth's Gordie Foundation Chapter president Alex Cushman '08, formed a committee that worked with DCARE to organize the event as the third and final part of the Second Annual Dartmouth Student Alcohol Series. DCARE director Dr. Seddon Savage said that the series was not inspired by a specific event, but was part of a general initiative to increase awareness.
"It's always a great time to talk about [alcohol] issues," said Savage.
The organizers were satisfied, but Cooper indicated that the overall attendance was low, and fewer students attended this event than those that attended either of the previous two programs. She also noted that many other meetings, including an SA meeting, were scheduled for Tuesday evening and that many students were probably kept busy by mounting academic responsibilities at this point in the term.
The event was sponsored by Chi Heorot fraternity, the Nathan Smith Pre-Medical society, the Gordie Foundation, DAPAs, the C. Everett Koop Scholar Program, the College Health Office, the Dartmouth Center on Addiction Recovery and Education and the DCARE Alumni Task Force.
