Students wear intoxication goggles and attempt to navigate an RC course to experience the effects of alcohol and other drugs.
DUBOIS, Pa. – At Penn State DuBois, this week’s freshmen seminar lesson could prove to be lifesaving. Officer Cody Haag is spending his week educating students on the dangers of alcohol and drugs, ways to avoid negative situations, how to recognize others in distress and what to do in an emergency.
Officer Haag and a student volunteer demonstrate the recovery position to place someone unconscious in until help arrives.
Haag began his lesson in the classroom educating students on how to recognize dangerous or life-threatening situations, steps to take to assist, Penn State's policies and the amnesty law in Pennsylvania.
According to Haag, the main goal of these seminars is to educate students on how to be safe and what to do in an alcohol or drug related emergency. A volunteer from the class helped officer Haag demonstrate the proper recovery position to put someone in if they are intoxicated and unconscious to prevent them from aspirating.
Officer Haag explains the eye test process called horizontal gaze nystagmus with student volunteer, Thad Butler.
It’s nice to see the dangers of what it looks like to do drugs without actually being on drugs.—Thad Butler , Freshmen from Curwensville, PA
Students ventured outside to Schoch Plaza for a hands-on lab. They were provided with goggles to simulate various drugs and alcohol, radio-controlled cars, and were asked to navigate a course. The cars zoomed through the course, often getting stuck, with other RC cars, or running into student's feet. Thad Butler, a freshman from Curwensville, PA said “it’s nice to see the dangers of what it looks like to do drugs without actually being on drugs.”
Students are given a field sobriety test during an alcohol awareness class.
Officer Haag also simulated a field sobriety test for students, explaining the purpose of each step and the potential consequences intoxicated individuals may face. University Police Services frequently provides trainings across the university to improve health and safety. Alexis Piper, from Latrobe, PA said, “the class is fun and a great way to understand the effects of alcohol use.”
If you or someone you know is seeking help with substance abuse, please contact the Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission.
