Media releases

• High school students encouraged to ‘test drive’ Brock University

  Tuesday, July 17, 2018 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 17 July 2018 – R00145

  If Kailene Jackson could go back in time, there’s one part of her Brock University journey she would do differently.

  Though her time at the University has been full of meaningful experiences, the Political Science and Sociology student wishes she had taken advantage of the types of programs offered to students before beginning their first year of classes.

  “I didn’t do any of the summer orientation programs and because of that my first year was tougher,” said the 20-year-old St. Catharines resident, who recently completed her third year. “I just went to class and then went home. I now know how differently it could have gone if I put myself out there and got more involved before classes started.”

  Having become more active in the University community throughout her studies, Jackson is now serving as the Events and Programs Assistant in the Student Life and Community Experience department. Through her role, she’s doing everything she can to encourage new students to get connected by participating in the LEAP program, which she facilitates.

  “I just want to tell students to take the first step,” Jackson said. “We want them to succeed and LEAP can help them get ahead before they arrive here in the fall.”

  LEAP brings new students to the University for a day or overnight stay where they take part in campus-wide activities, a variety of seminars and workshops from on-campus services and a community outreach experience with a local community organization to become more familiar with the University and city as a whole.

  “The LEAP program allows these incoming students to test drive Brock services in a small group setting and make new friends before starting their University careers,” said Sheena Erhardt, Student Transitions Co-ordinator for Brock’s Student Life and Community Experience department. “By connecting with upper-year students, they’re able to get a better understanding of how to make the most of their Brock experience.”

  For second-year Concurrent Education student Lia Strazzeri, the LEAP program provided a familiarity that made the transition to post-secondary studies seamless.

  “I was nervous to come into Brock for the first time,” she said. “But LEAP offered a lot of resources to help me feel more comfortable, especially being able to stay in residence for a night.”

  LEAP sessions begin July 24 and run until Aug. 23. Visit the LEAP website to learn more and register.

  Brock University Student Transitions Co-ordinator Sheena Erhardt is available for interviews about the LEAP program.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock prof available to comment on push for decriminalization of all drugs

  Tuesday, July 17, 2018 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 17 July 2018 – R00144

  One of Canada’s most well-respected experts in the history of Canada’s drug laws is applauding the call by Toronto’s top public health official to decriminalize all drugs for personal use.

  Brock University Associate Professor of Health Sciences Dan Malleck, who has authored two books on the topic and given talks around the world, said Tuesday “it’s nice to see respected officials thinking beyond drugs as simply a product of criminality and deviance.”

  Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, recently suggested the federal government should allow personal use of all recreational drugs. In a report to the Toronto Board of Health Monday, de Villa said her team’s research found countries around the world who have decriminalized all drugs have seen reduced drug use rates and generally improved community health.

  Malleck called it ironic that a medical official is the one calling for the decriminalization.

  “A major factor influencing the creation of the criminal system was medical professionals’ concerns about addiction caused by medical prescription,” he said.

  His 2015 book, When Good Drugs Go Bad: Opium, Medicine and the Origins of Canada’s Drug Laws, examined the connection between the increasing power of the medical and pharmacy professions and changes to Canada’s drug laws in the early 1900s.

  His research revealed that leading up to 1908, when Canada passed its first national drug law, most Canadians were recreational drug users.

  “When we look at the way drug illegality was constructed, we can see how other approaches may have avoided the kind of dysfunctional criminalized system we have now,” Malleck said.

  Associate Professor Dan Malleck is available for interviews about the topic this week.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases