Dear Editor,
The article “RSOs Designed to Regulate, Not Congregate, With
Students” printed in the Feb. 11 edition of the Guardian was utterly misguided.
The writer, Jake Blanc, criticized the proposal for increased interaction
between residential security officers and students in an attempt to curb the
chronic binge drinking that no doubt occurs on campus.
In fact, he suggested that “it would be a complete waste to
spend time and money on further reports in an effort to bridge the gap between
students and RSOs” and that “[former Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Joseph
W.] Watson’s original hypothesis that greater amity between the student body
and campus security would cut down on illegal drinking [was] ridiculous.”
In fact, it has been shown both in Great Britain and
Australia that increased positive interaction between police and youth has not
only dramatically decreased youth violence and binge drinking, but it has also
slowed the spread of sexually transmitted infections through education programs
regarding safe drug use and safe sex.
I find it thoroughly disheartening to read another article
panning these kinds of programs.
Binge drinking is a major cause of death for Americans
between the ages of 15 and 24, contributing to over 45 percent of all deaths
(L. Blumenthal, M.D., MUSC Student Health Services).
As an Australian exchange student, I am well aware of the
problems of youth binge drinking since it is a similarly major health issue in
Blanc would be better off doing more research into successful mitigation of
binge drinking.
— Jehan Kanga
Australian EAP Reciprocity,
