Saturday night at the Student Housing Lodge was a throwback from the 80’s, as students were taken back to a time when drugs were rampant and rock n’ roll was king. 

“Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll” addressed the affects of drugs such as crack and meth from the 1980’s until present day, how addictive and dangerous these drugs are and ways students can remain drug free.  After the presentation it was time for the Karaoke to begin. Students busted out 80’s hit songs such as “The Final Countdown” by Europe, and “We’re Not Gunna Take It” by Twisted Sister.

Freshmen Derek Williams, 18, from Fairbanks and Jenny Danner, also 18, from Ketchikan sang “99 Red Balloons” by Nena together. 

“This is fantastic!” Williams said about the event.

It was a great night, full of awesome music, leg warmers and an important underlying message – to keep students safe from the dangers of drug use. As explained by Community Advisor (CA) Aria Chipley and Peer Advocate (PA) Kaleigh Lambert, cocaine is a strong drug that blocks dopamine flow, a process of the nervous system that controls pleasure and movement.  It can cause cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and seizures resulting in sudden death.  It is also extremely addictive drug that is cheap to produce, owning to its popularity beginning in the 1980’s. 

Linda Dedrick, who just moved to Juneau from Montana and is going for her associates in business administration, made sure to tell students the importance of doing research before they try out a new drug. Dedrick spoke from personal experience after nearly overdosing on crack the first time she used it. 

Dedrick went to a party and everyone was sitting in a circle passing around a medicine bottle of white powder Dedrick couldn’t identify.  After taking too much of the strange substance everyone was passing around, Dedrick found she was unable to stop laughing. 

“All I remember was laughing uncontrollably.  I ended up laughing so hard that I passed out,” Dedrick said.  And the effects from that first time stuck with her for a while afterward, demonstrating how serious crack really is.  “After that I had chest pain for four months and I only used it once.  I can’t imagine using it more than once.”

Chipley and Lambert’s alternative to drug use?  Sing Karaoke. Doing fun but safe things can eliminate the need to get a phony high, they said. “Hugs not drugs” was the message they hoped to convey with the event.

If students feel they need a hug or someone to talk to, they can feel free to drop by the PSO office located in the Student Housing Lodge and talk to one of the friendly PA’s.   Also, there is a counselor available for students on campus on the first floor of the Mourant Building.