EDITORS NOTE: This article has been corrected from its original printed version.
When students see 177 pairs of shoes in the EMU Amphitheater next week, third-year law student Marisa McGilliard wants them to think about substance abuse.
How do shoes and alcohol relate? The shoes represent the number of people killed by drunk drivers last year in Oregon, and the exhibit is part of University family and human services major Adriana Cargni’s senior project to raise awareness about substance abuse. McGilliard and Cargni work in the Office of Student Life and organized the campaign.
McGilliard said she hopes people will have strong reactions to the shoe display, on scale with the way people reacted to the Iraq Body Count Memorial, where flags were planted in the ground to represent the American soldiers and Iraqi citizens killed during the war.
“For some people, it added a greater sense of compassion to the issue,” McGilliard said. “The purpose of this kind of exhibit is to put reality to a statistic. We’re trying to touch upon different emotions.”
She said that students are at the highest risk for developing drinking problems, and organizers want to make sure students are aware of community resources.
“Some people don’t even realize they have a problem when they say things like, ‘I’m so ready to go out and drink or party,’” Cargni said.
The campaign will also touch on other topics such as stress and sexual abuse. Organizers say the subjects are related.
“Let’s say you have a drinking problem or a substance abuse problem,” Cargni proposed. “What other issues would have caused that?”
McGilliard said that she believes the event is the first campus campaign to encompass all topics.
The campaign will involve various campus groups, including the Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils, the Office of Student Life, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Alliance, the ASUO Senate and peer health educators.
“The collaboration of people coming together to support this message is so exciting,” McGilliard said.
Not all events were finalized by press time, but some will include:
? A guest speaker from Mothers Against Drunk Driving will talk about his experience in a drinking-related vehicle collision on Thursday, and the vehicle will be displayed at the corner of 13th Avenue and University Street.
? Students can sign a pledge to agree they will be safe during spring break.
? Organizers will pass out bags filled with pamphlets, pens, stress balls, sunscreen, candy and condoms.
? The campus band Musk will play in the Student Recreation Center basement Friday.
Contact the crime, health and safety reporter at [email protected]