Video Write Up

Marijuana is an Obstacle

Chances are, if you’ve been on campus the last couple weeks, you’ve noticed the “Marijuana Is An Obstacle” campaign. The idea of trying to raise drug awareness on a college campus isn’t new, except this time students took an original approach. It started as posters placed around the school, no words, no images, except a series of crossing bars. These were placed on doors, windows into the resident halls, and inside the school paper. There were buttons and stickers and card. At first, no one knew exactly what they meant, but student’s interests were sparked. Everyone wanted to know what the images meant, and no one really knew who was putting them up.

For the past week literal, physical obstacles have been placed among the hallways at school. The mysterious posters are back, and this time there’s no mistaking what they are. Orange images with yellow “police tape” read: “Marijuana Is An Obstacle.” Signs warn students of important facts, each day touches a new myth/truth of smoking pot. The common effect of anxiety and paranoia, the long-term effects on themselves and those around them, and the risk to their future. One sign warned students of the risk of not being able to get a job, an apartment, or student loans. It causes people to either stop and look, or literally walk into the obstacle. Instead of a motivational speaker or lecture, the in-your-face approach gives students no other option but to take notice. Each poster is a different color scheme and one is accompanied by matching cards. If students found and collected all five “Dope Slap” cards, they could enter for a drawing to win an iPod. All week members of CAB have been wearing “Marijuana Is An Obstacle” sweatshirts, bandanas and even sunglasses. Facebook groups Marijuana Is An Obstacle and also the opposing Marijuana Is Not An Obstacle have appeared online. Whether you’re for or against pot, it’s still got people talking. It’s stirring up important conversations between students about drug use which can only be a step in the right direction.