The Muhlenberg Weekly

Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News

The C.A.S.E. House, located at 423 N. 23rd St., offers a venue for students to go without having to worry about the external and internal pressures of alcohol and substance use. The club C.A.S.E. (Clean and Sober Environment) was founded by Philip Lakin '09, Director of Recovery at Muhlenberg (R.A.M.), and Aaron Lawson '09, Director of C.A.S.E., who are both in recovery themselves. The club would not be able to run without the assistance of Amy Bauer '10, Director of Public Information, Brian Shomaker '09, Events Coordinator, Mike Cali '09, Treasurer, and Group Advisor Anita Kelly, Director of Counseling Services.

The idea for the club began when Lakin and Lawson applied for a mailbox in which they had wished to receive anonymous letters from fellow students with concerns about themselves or friends and the abuse or misuse of alcohol and substances. Much to their surprise, only an official club can make such a request. So, they decided to turn their idea into a club.

However, C.A.S.E. isn't just any club; it is the first student led recovery house to exist at the College, and it is also one of the first in the country. While it is considered to be special-interest housing, and must be reapplied for every year, the ability to have this house seems to be creating more opportunities for C.A.S.E. to get students involved.

Lakin and Lawson said that the College, especially the staff of the Life Sports Center and Chris Jachimowicz, Director of Student Leadership Development & Greek Affairs, have shown a tremendous amount of support in helping the club to get on its feet.

Lawson said, "The College, The Life Sports Center, and Chris Jachimowicz provided money

through donations and grants for Lakin and I to attend the Addiction Studies Institute (A.S.I.) in Columbus, Ohio over the summer. Attending this week long conference has become a major influence in how C.A.S.E. is establishing itself in a college environment. Now, C.A.S.E. is not only providing venues that break the college stereotype of drugs and alcohol, but is also changing the way that a community deals with the disease of addiction. It is amazing to see students no longer afraid to say the words 'addict' or 'alcoholic', because they now have knowledge and confidence knowing that 'recovery' is a hopeful alternative way of living for themselves, their friend, or their family member. What was once considered a 'character flaw', is now being seen and treated by the community as any other medical disease."

Continued...

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