Exercise 15.5: If I Ran the Zoo

"If I Ran a Zoo," written by John Leo, is a poem that proposes some problems and changes that need to be made on college campuses including: cutting down the number of undergraduate professors that are not teaching students adequate knowledge that can be applicable in later studies, raising the pay for teacher assistants but also questioning whether teacher assistants are even wanted on campuses, challenging the efforts made in remedial courses, and eliminating unnecessary courses to reduce the costs of tuition. Although the current tuition costs are raising each year due to the state budget cuts, some of Leo's proposals may not be a kind solution that has the best overall benefits for students.

Tuition costs are staggering, however, the number of students remains the same and cutting down the employment of undergraduate professors does no justice when reducing the staff only creates overcrowded lecture halls. In addition, many question the presence of teacher assistants because of the minimum wage they receive for their workload and because of their age that is in close range to the students. Despite Leo's proposal, teacher assistant positions have the intention of giving experience to students who aspire to become a teacher or professor one day and are needed in courses that have larger enrollments. Nevertheless, Leo explains that courses that end in "studies" are unnecessary along with courses with titles such as "Star Trek Theology" and "Queer Musicology." Indeed, some of these courses are unnecessary but many courses that end in "studies" enlightens many students on important social issues. For instance, women's studies courses educate students on the inequalities against women, minorities, and homosexuals that still exists regardless of favoring court cases and legal rights. In all, if Leo were to run "the zoo," his changes would not be as beneficial as he had planned.

Proposal Argument Topics

1. A problem facing my country is:
1. Homelessness.
2. Obesity.
3. Diabetes.
4. Economy.
5. Health Care.
6. Energy Crisis.
1. Prius' and other fuel efficient cars.
1. price.
2. faultiness.
2. A problem I frequently encounter on campus is:
1. Constant budget cuts.
2. Parking.
3. Limited course list.
3. A problem I hear my classmates discussing quite a bit is:
1. Tuition fees.
2. Gas Prices.
3. Limited course list.
4. A problem people have been trying to solve for years is:
1. Racism.
5. A problem that I heard about in the news is:
1. Deadly tornadoes in the Midwest.
6. A law that I object to:
1. Possession of Marijuana.
2. J-Walking.
7. A misguided school policy is:
1. Limitations on units students can take.
8. A public policy that makes my life or other people's lives more difficult:
1. California's Proposition 8.
9. A public policy or law that could be improved is:
1. The Death Penalty.
10.  Others.
1. gang violence.
2. marriage/divorce.

Addiction to Death by Choice

Around the world, a growing number of people are destroying their lives as a result of being consumed with alcohol and drug addictions because of the way they may feel while doing these activities. The fact of the matter is that addiction does not segregate or discriminate, nor does it judge a person by their economic class. As a result, the number of people who become addicted increases quite rapidly. Those struggling with addictions also have a higher chance of committing crimes such as domestic violence, child abuse, and other unlawful acts. Ultimately, these addictions may even lead to homelessness and poverty. Without the ready availability and the correct resources, addicts are hopeless in cleaning themselves up and starting their lives over along with, maintaining their wellbeing for their outlook on life. Although alcohol and drug addiction are continued complications worldwide, change can only be made once addicts decide to help themselves.

            No matter the circumstances, alcohol and drugs affect anybody of any race, gender, and economic stature. For instance, within the lavishing lives of celebrities may come the exclusive events but it also comes with an endless supply of drugs and alcoholic beverages. Many famous stars have fallen victim and struggled with alcohol and drug addictions for years, having trouble-reaching sobriety due to the easy accessibility. Just last year, “Grammy-winning soul singer” (Cheng) Amy Winehouse was found dead in her home on July 23, as a result of alcohol poisoning. In conclusion of Winehouse’s death, autopsy reports stated, “the level of alcohol in her blood was 416 milligrams per 100 milliliters, [or] a blood alcohol level of 0.4 percent” (Cheng). People within the entertainment industry may have a luxurious lifestyle but with the steady flow of drugs and alcohol, there are more opportunities for addictions to advance. In addition to the development of an addiction are serious health problems. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “the impact of addiction can be far reaching cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Hepatitis B and C, lung disease, [and] mental disorders” (NIDA). In all, drug and alcohol addictions are not only detrimental to one’s own health in the long run, but may cause death in the near future with continued use. For instance, singer Whitney Houston was seen "partying the night before her death in the bar" (Gast and Hayes) and died as a result of “a combination of drowning, heart disease and cocaine use” (Detroit Free Press), in addition, “[actor] Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine" (CNN). Also, in the case of actor Charlie Sheen, many are uncertain of Sheen’s mental wellbeing:

His recent ranting behavior has led viewers to question whether the actor was still on drugs and denying addiction, [or] whether he was exhibiting manic symptoms of bipolar disorder, [or] some combination of the two. Sheen's negative drug test suggests that addiction is unlikely to be his only problem. (Brown)

Sheen’s aggressive addictions were so overbearing that Brook Mueller, now ex-wife, filed for divorce and custody of the children. Depending on the level of addiction, many addicts will do anything for their next fix including a number of illegal acts.

            As addictions further progress, resources run low and substance abusers are more likely to commit crimes. With addiction, abusers are stricken with physical and psychological dependencies that become the driving motives to partake in domestic violence and child abuse. “It is likely that some drug-exposed children will need educational support in the classroom to help them overcome what may be subtle deficits in developmental areas such as behavior, attention, and cognition” (NIDA). While substance abusers only focus on themselves and getting their next fix, they leave their family to fend for themselves as well. Despite the fact, addicts will eventually “join the 2.5 to 3.5 million individuals, including 600,000 families, who live on the streets or in shelters at some point over the course of a given year” (National Alliance…) and will remain chronically homeless due to drug and alcohol addictions. Without the proper help and support now, addicts trapped behind alcohol and drugs will never be able to get their lives back on track.

            While programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous do exist to straighten out the lives of addicts, most addicts do not feel the need of sobriety. Many addicts have developed profound addictions to different substances ranging from cocaine and methamphetamines, to heroine, because of a traumatic event in their life such as the loss of a loved one, being neglected, or being abused. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that substance abuse may consist of “neurological damage as well as psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety, and antisocial personality disorder.” Most often, addicts use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate and keep depression at bay but truthfully, drugs and alcohol can alter the mind and worsen depression. Personally, I have an uncle that is mentally and physically abused by his wife and as a result, he has become dependent upon alcohol to feel “better” about himself and the situation he is in. My uncle has had a hard time contemplating his options if he were to divorce his wife and it hurts to see him drink himself to sleep, but it is up to him to make those choices to better his life for his sons. I have also heard numerous stories from friends and family of suicide because of the extreme altered consciousness an addict can experience. In addition, in Canada, drug and alcohol abuse has been an extensive complication and even though universal health care is provided to all citizens, not very many Canadians seek the available medical attention to sober up. It is possible to achieve a life of sobriety, however, relapse is likely:

"You can't reach an addict when he's not ready," said Harold Owens, senior vice president of MusiCares/Musicians Assistance Program (MAP) Fund who has been counseling others in substance abuse since he became sober about 23 years ago. "I've been through the struggle," he said. "To an alcoholic, I like to think it's a self-diagnosed disease: Nobody can tell you you're an alcoholic until you tell yourself." (Lewis)

Nevertheless, to begin the journey of sobriety, addicts must experience a revelation and have the courage to better themselves for the future.

            Despite the fact that addicts may choose not to reach sobriety, there are high quality treatment centers available, such as the Betty Ford Center. As a result of the heavy alcohol addiction Betty Ford, wife President Gerald R. Ford, faced, she decided to help others like herself when she had reached sobriety. The Betty Ford Center is located in Rancho Mirage and has been treating patients since 1982.

            As the number of drug and alcohol addicts grows quickly, so is the number of those in poverty and on the verge of becoming homeless. Because drug and alcohol addictions correlate to physical and psychological dependencies, addicts will go through any obstacle to get their fix and even be willing to participate in more illegal activities. These “activities” may range from domestic violence, child abuse, and burglary or robbery. However, there are programs available to the public to gain sobriety but not many addicts feel the need to be in detox. Those struggling with drug and alcohol addictions must realize something must change in their lives and find the will power to become sober for the better.