Student death not so distant

It's easy to dismiss Ross Greathouse as an ill-fated addict or to categorize his drug-related death with the sinking of the Titanic or the AIDs victims in Africa. He died of a cocaine/heroine overdose a week ago, and already his death registers as something distant and alien -- it has nothing to do with me. \nBut many people on campus are deeply affected and forever changed by his death. They are the ones who knew him when he was a kid from North Vernon whose greatest aspiration was to become an expert juggler. Those who knew him when he was a geography student with a fascination for vintage maps. When he was a friend who belted out a Berry White song to two pretty girls -- he had no idea who they were -- just for the fun of it. \n His death is tragic to those who loved him, and communicates a lesson that simple words hardly convey. Drug use is not to be taken lightly. Weekend fun, partying and blowing off steam can go a step too far, as it did for Greathouse. He chose to take drugs; no one forced him. No one can change that, but we can focus on what we can change: a culture of complacency. \nAdministrators can crack down on alcohol use and impose regulations to thwart illegal activity. Police can arrest drug dealers and keep the town free from deadly substances. People who shed tears for Ross can curse these officials for not being strict enough; for letting a good kid get caught up in bad stuff. But policies and regulations only scratch the surface of a problem that goes deep into the apartments, fraternity houses and basements of student residences. The problem is a culture of tolerance for a laid-back guy like Ross to "have some fun" on the weekends. It's a culture that cleans up friends' vomit and covers for a roommate who's spending all of their rent money on marijuana. \nRoss is a casualty of that culture, and his death should be a wake up call for others who sit back while their friends take the party lifestyle a step too far. \nIt's easy to dismiss Ross Greathouse's death. It is much harder, though, to dismiss the image of the funny, kind, laid-back guy. He's the funny one who doesn't care about making a fool of himself for a laugh. He's the one who's always ready to do whatever; he loves spending time with old friends. Many people know someone like Ross, and those who knew Ross will always remember the smart and sensitive person who made a very poor choice. A choice with little dignity and grave consequences. A choice that was his last. \nRoss' death is not a distant anomaly. It is a tragedy that should anger students who aren't too heartbroken by the loss of a friend. As his antics and ideals fade into memory, those who loved him, and those who love people like him can honor his life very simply: By making it harder for people to make the same poor choice. By playing the bad cop to a good friend who is taking a risk. Some say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes a campus to affirm the beauty of life stripped of unnecessary risks that only lead to pain.\nStaff vote: Unanimous\nyes - no - abstain