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By the Rev. Boyce A. Bowdon*
7:00 A.M ET May 30, 2012
Students try out goggles that stimulate the influence drinking has on
driver response during one class led by Oklahoma City police at Oklahoma
City University Petree College of Arts and Sciences. Photos by Boyce
Bowdon.
View in Photo Gallery
A United Methodist-related university in Oklahoma City is taking a
major step forward in the fight against one of the nation’s most
difficult problems.
Oklahoma City University has created a program in addiction-prevention studies in which students may earn a bachelor’s degree.
“The degree is designed to help combat one of our nation's most
widespread and destructive problems,” says Peter Messiah, director of
the school’s addiction-prevention efforts.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that drinking
by college students ages 18 to 24 contributes to an estimated 1,825
student deaths, 599,000 injuries and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or
date rape each year.
"Addictions are not confined to college campuses,"
Messiah said. "They occur all through our society. And, people are not
only addicted to alcohol; thousands are addicted to other drugs, gambling, pornography and a variety of substances and behaviors."
Courses in the program focus on preventing addiction, Messiah said.
"At this stage, the program's priority is to discover risk factors
that contribute to addictions, then develop the most effective ways
possible to minimize the risk factors, and then put in place protective
factors — positive influences — that will help people avoid becoming
addicted."
Courses for many majors
The bachelor's degree is not only for students who plan to become
addiction prevention specialists, Messiah said. It also is for
students preparing for other vocations — such as ministry — where
knowledge about addiction prevention can enhance their effectiveness.
Peter Messiah, director of addiction-prevention studies, and Mark
Davies, dean of the Oklahoma City University Petree College of Arts and
Sciences, review plans for the United Methodist school’s undergraduate
degree in addiction-prevention studies.
View in Photo Gallery
Messiah taught the first course in the addiction-prevention program during the spring semester, which ended May 3.
"We examined prevention from an integrative approach, including the
biological, environmental, social, cultural, familial and political
forces that currently define addictive behaviors," he explained. "Then
we reviewed the history, theories, research and best practices that are
now being used to prevent
addiction."
Kelsey Cartwright — a nursing student — says she decided to take the
course after shadowing medical personnel in a hospital.
“I was amazed to see so many patients with addictions and to see how
addictions devastate families and friends," Kelsey said. "I have a
passion for helping people, especially those with chemical dependency
problems, and I believe what I have learned in this course will enable
me to be more helpful to them."
The Revs. Steve and Wanda Littrell — an Oklahoma Conference clergy couple — say the class was very practical for them.
"One of our assignments was to develop an addictions-prevention
program for a specific age group," Steve Littrell explained. "We
reviewed risks factors that might influence a person to become
addicted, and then proposed ways those risks can be minimized and
replaced by positive influences. Each student made a 30-minute
presentation to the class."
Steve Littrell developed his addictions-prevention program for those
60 and older. Wanda Littrell designed her program for students in
grades four through six.
Plans to expand beyond classroom
Messiah said the introductory course will be repeated during the
fall semester and two new courses will be added during the spring
semester.
In addition to academic studies, the addiction-prevention program
will include a variety of non-classroom activities aimed at minimizing
addiction, Messiah said.
Plans are under way to provide educational and other
addiction-prevention services to local churches and communities across
the Oklahoma City area.
Mark Davies, dean of OCU's Petree College of Arts and Sciences, said
Oklahoma City University’s trustees April 26 voted unanimously to
create the new degree.
"The degree fits perfectly into our mission as a United Methodist
university, which is to help persons fulfill themselves as much as they
possibly can as children of God," Davies said. "We know when people
fall into addictions, it becomes far more difficult for them to
experience quality lives and to have a positive impact on others."
Davies said Jack Turner, an Oklahoma businessman, contributed
$500,000 to provide initial funding for the addiction-prevention
studies.
After an extensive search for a director of the addiction-prevention
studies, the university chose Messiah, who previously managed the
safe-schools department of the Houston (Texas) Independent School
District, which included 300 schools. An Oklahoma City native, he is
certified in drug-prevention counseling, anger resolution and about 10
other areas.
To help design the addiction-prevention program, the university
recruited an advisory board that includes some of the area's leaders in
addiction prevention and treatment.
Melanie B. Overton, an executive at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry,
said she is pleased the university is playing a leading role in
fighting the problem of addiction. She said her records indicate
Oklahoma City University is the only United Methodist university to
offer a bachelor's degree in addiction prevention.
"This is one example," Overton said, "of how United
Methodist-related educational institutions are developing leaders who
can bring knowledge and vital piety to bear on critical human issues."
*Bowdon is a retired communicator for the Oklahoma Annual (regional) Conference and editor of the conference newspaper.
News media contact: Maggie Hillery, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or mailto:newsdesk@umcom.org.
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