On March 13th, students listened to William C. Moyers, the vice president of public affairs community relations for the Hazelton Betty ford foundation and former addict himself, the second symposium speaker of the 2018-2019 school year. Moyers spoke on topics ranging from his own personal addiction to current day issues regarding addiction such as the opioid crisis and criminal drugs.
Most importantly, Moyers spoke of a simple concept that even for the average student at Blake addiction issues can still be a scene in our bubble. As Moyers explains, “Addiction does not discriminate. Nobody is immune. A drug is a drug is a drug. Marijuana is addictive to some people, just like alcohol is an addictive substance to some people. Marijuana can start the chain reaction to addiction in the same way that alcohol or methamphetamine or heroin can.” This was a controversial statement from Moyers as many students believed Blake has done a great deal to incorporate those of financial quality incorporates.
Yet Moyers expressed hope for the future, first of all in the students as he experienced the attentiveness of students and similarity Blake had to his high school. Throughout his day and second, with the opioid epidemic and recent vaping trends have opened eyes throughout America. As Moyers explains, “Opioid epidemic leveled the playing field and became the great common denominator in how we as Americans recognize the scourge of addiction and the need to treat it as a public health issue. You can be a coal miner in West Virginia, a school teacher in St Paul or a student at Blake and if you are vulnerable to substances, opioids are as deadly as anything else.” Students were interested in this political question asking of Moyers opinions ranging from criminal drug offenses to vaping.
Yet by far most importantly, Moyers stressed that students if they need help, should find it. Moyers brought up his personal life with this question and the many he had when individuals either asked or didn’t ask for help. Moyers importantly stresses, “First recognize that it’s OK to ask for help, help is available. Reach out and ask for it. Hazelden Betty Ford is right in our backyard at Blake, 1800-Ido-Care. If you live in this community, help is available.”
