Pubdate: Wed, 19 Feb 2003
Source: Daily Bruin (CA Edu)
Copyright: 2003, ASUCLA Student Media
Contact:  http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/724
Author: Annie Hsiao

FORMER NCAA ATHLETE, FOOTBALL COACH MIKE GREEN TO SPEAK ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The Interfraternity and Panhellenic Council will sponsor an All-Greek and 
campus educational program on the effects of alcohol and drug consumption, 
featuring former NCAA athlete and football coach Mike Green, today in Royce 
Hall.

Green, also the founder and president of Collegiate Consultants on Drugs 
and Alcohol, will present a personal testimonial on the effects of drug and 
alcohol abuse.

"He brings a different perspective on alcohol and drugs and relates his own 
experiences as a recovering alcoholic," said the Interfraternity Director 
of Programming, Brian Chan.

By communicating the realities of alcoholism in an interactive and 
informative format, Green will personalize the destructive consequences of 
substance abuse.

"This is the largest event we have planned for the year =85 and is an 
awesome opportunity to teach students how to cope with substance abuse," 
said Panhellenic President Cara Rosenthal, who arranged for Green to speak 
at the event.

A nationally respected leader and NCAA-approved speaker in drug and alcohol 
education, Green has spoken to over 2000 campuses nationwide for the past 
18 years.

As a former defensive lineman, Green received All-Pennsylvania Conference 
and All-State honors, as well as a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Green was also a high school athletic director and has coached Division II 
football at West Chester University.

His background as an athlete, coach and educator along with his first-hand 
account as a recovering alcoholic give him the credibility to relate the 
dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, Rosenthal added.

"UCLA has a very minute problem in comparison to other campuses =85 we have 
been very fortunate," Rosenthal said. "But the only way to continue to 
prevent such horrors is through education."

Rosenthal also said the focus of the educational program is not so much a 
responsive action to a problem but rather a preventive measure to promote 
responsible behavior.

Surveys conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health consistently show 
that substance abuse among college students is higher than estimates of the 
general public.

According to a 1999 Student Health Education Survey, 76 percent of UCLA 
undergraduates reported that they drank alcohol.

Panhellenic Programming Chairwoman Chie Tamashiro noted the relevance of 
the issue of alcohol abuse among college students.

"It's something all college students are familiar with, and although we 
tend to be the group that is mainly targeted, it's an issue we can all 
relate to," she said.

"It's not a serious problem, but it does happen and obviously is something 
we should think about as college students."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D