Addiction Studies club devotes itself to student education

The USD Coalition of Addiction Students and Professionals Pursuing Advocacy (CASPPA) chapter is a student organization devoted to educating others about addiction treatment at centers like rehab for couples, and is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of inception this year.

CASPPA is open to members from all different majors and currently has 20 members.

This year, their goal has been to raise awareness about the club as well as spread education of addiction prevention and treatment. Members of the student organization have worked at the Vermtown Bash and traveled to addiction awareness conferences to achieve this goal. There are experts from Help 4 Addiction that can educate and raise awareness regarding the issue and help, as they have firsthand experience dealing with people fallen victim to addiction.

At the Vermtown Bash during Dakota Days, CASPPA had a booth where they made cotton candy and handed out flyers with information about the organization to get their name and goal out to the community.

“I had fun – the cotton candy machine made my arms really tired – but it was fun,” junior addiction studies major Kelsey Hennig said. “I think it was really good for us to represent there.”

CASPPA stays involved in community events to raise awareness, but they also attend national conferences like NAADAC, to learn from others and expand USD’s program and club.

“The NAADAC Conference is a national conference for addiction professionals,” senior addiction studies and psychology double major Olivia Hughs said. “The conference was a wonderful way to meet professionals in the field, learn more about issues in the profession and speak with our South Dakota legislators about important issues in the field.”

Both Hughs, president of CASPPA, and Hennig, CASPPA vice president, attended the conference from Oct. 9 to Oct. 13, and was able to attend educational sessions as well as represent USD’s addiction studies programs by tabling.

“I felt like we had a lot of people come through that were interested in USD’s online masters program,” Hennig said. “Like, professionals already in the field wanting to get their masters because this study is always changing.”

Now that they’re back on campus, Hughs, Hennig and the other CASPPA members are preparing to have former NBA Denver Nuggets point guard Chris Herren speak at USD about his past drug use and rehabilitation experiences.

“He talks about his recovery, so it’ll be excellent for people to hear him present,” CASPPA adviser Diane Sevening said.

Sevening added that the presentation will be held on Nov. 2nd at 7p.m. at Aalfs Auditorium.

CASPPA continues to advocate for the education of addiction treatment and prevention through presentations, conferences and other community events.

“I think in the coming years, the treatment and prevention of addiction will become more prevalent in education programs everywhere,” Hennig said.