Daily Egyptian Reporter 16

A dim glow from the street lights shadows the remorse and relief on Kim’s face as she describes her life since she took her first drink at the age of 13.

Kim, a recovering alcoholic and a 37-year-old SIUC student, was given the chance to speak about her past drinking experiences at the Victim Impact Panel and Candlelight Vigil sponsored by the Alcohol Awareness Committee on Thompson Point. The vigil took place at 7 p.m. Thursday in front of Pierce Hall on Thompson Point.

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I would just sit there are say, God if you get me through this, I’ll never do it again,’ she said.

Drinking did catch up with me. I’m just glad that I’m alive to share this with you. You don’t have to get drunk to be somebody.

The purpose of the vigil was for students to share their emotional experiences with alcohol.

About 40 students lit candles and walked around Thompson Point in memory of those who have suffered or died in alcohol-related accidents.

Marla Sweetin, chairwoman of the committee and a graduate student in public administration from Bonnie, said that out of all the events that took place during the week, the vigil had a lasting impression on those who attended.

This was the smallest turnout of people, but had the most direct impact overall, Sweetin said. Tonight was the last night of in-depth, soul-searching events.

Events throughout the week included speeches by SIUC Chancellor Don Beggs and former Sen. Paul Simon, a mock DUI arrest, a display that imitated a person’s vision when intoxicated and a crash simulator display.

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Alcohol Awareness Week is designed to spread the word about the dangers and the consequences of using alcohol.

Being college students, they were able to reach the other students at a personal level, Sweetin said.

Kim started drinking at age 13 when her parents filed for divorce. She started drinking for comfort, and to get away from her problems.

Bill Stanley, a 22-year-old SIUC student from Oswego, shared his stories about his experiences with alcohol.

I wouldn’t call myself an alcoholic, Stanley said. But I did have an alcohol problem.

Stanley said his problem began when he finished high school. He said people in his community looked up to him, and they never thought that he would have a problem.

He spoke about the times he had close calls with the police when he was driving, and one time when he had gotten into an accident when he was with someone who was driving drunk.

We were both drunk and trying to stay awake, he said. The driver fell asleep, and when we got up we were in the median of the road and the front of the car was smashed.

We went home and lied to our parents. We told them that we had hit a deer.

Kim received her first DUI in 1987, and her second in 1992. She remains without a driver’s license.

I could have killed someone, she said. I drove drunk all the time. I don’t have a license now. I’m waiting to see if I can ever get it back.

Stanley’s realized he had a problem when he returned home from a vacation.

My sister died when I was in California, he said. While I was out partying, she was dying. I will never drink like I used to drink.

Kim said it feels like she is starting her life over.

I’m living my 20s now, because I don’t remember them the first time, she said. It was like I was born when I became sober.

Life is good sober. God, it’s good sober.