Rage heightened by drugs, alcohol

By Luke Tatge

Mirror Editor
November 30, 2007

With the stress of college looming over students at Augustana, this semester has been no stranger to incidents of violence related to both alcohol and anger.

Following an incident at an October dance in which a student was struck by another and an Oct. 3 incident in which a student became aggressive with a peer advisor (PA) enforcing quiet hours, Campus Safety has been fielding multiple cases of alcohol-related violence.

Director of Campus Safety Rick Tupper attributes these incidents to drinking as well as stress related to financial strains, personal issues and academic loads.

“You really have to look deep into what the circumstances were and who was involved,” Tupper said. “What you want to do is to prevent any future acts of violence and aggression.”

According to Associate Dean of Students Tracy Riddle, alcohol plays the most common role in acts of aggression.

“I would say that 95 percent of the incidents when one student violates the rights of another student involve alcohol,” Riddle said. “I think that alcohol can lead to poor judgment that in some cases provides harm to another.”

A history of violent victimization, learning disorders, alcohol and drug use, high emotional stress and an early exposure to family violence are all factors that may increase the likelihood of committing a violent act, according to Amy Meyers, employee health educator at Student Health & Counseling.

“Someone under the influence of alcohol is more likely to be the victim or perpetrator of a violent act,” Meyers said. “Alcohol affects users differently and for some they may be prone to aggression while under the influence. Those under high levels of stress are also more prone to violence or drug use.”

Meyers said alcohol and drugs affect individuals by deadening the senses, which causes people to participate in activities that they would normally consider unsafe.

In situations of aggression, Tupper said the most important thing to do immediately is bring the person in question to a calmer state.

“The first goal is to de-escalate and bring the person down to a level where you can talk to them,” Tupper said. “There’s more than just this one act. You have to ask what got him or her to this point.”

In dealing with aggression and violence, on-campus counselor Dee Wacker said there is a three-step process.

The first step is to make sure the victim is in a safe environment, decide if law enforcement should be involved and determine if the victim needs medical attention.

The second step is to help the victim feel safe and empowered. Wacker said developing a safety plan and ensuring the victim has an escort when walking alone is important.

The third step is discussing triggers and anger management. According to Wacker, finding alternative expressions and identifying causes may decrease future episodes.

Encouragement of safety in numbers is key. Riddle said it is important to attend events with people that you trust.

“A good rule of thumb is to make sure that students clearly communicate if they feel uncomfortable in a situation and listen to their instincts and leave a place if they feel unsafe,” Riddle said.

Meyers said that students should seek out campus help or local resources for solutions.

“Campus Safety and our on-campus counselors are available to provide services to those who are in need of assistance dealing with a past or present episode of violence,” Meyers said.