The Hook 2024

"Growth of Music in Greenville" p.12

"Behind The Glamour" p.18

"Opioids and Their Impact" p.26

Kiarra Crayton Editor-in-Chief

Hey Pirate Nation,

It’s my pleasure to welcome you back to another edition of The Hook, Pirate Media 1’s general interest magazine. This is the second edition I have been the Editor-in-Chief for and I am delighted to share it with the rest of the East Carolina University community.

For this edition we wanted to keep the vibe light and airy since it came out towards the end of the spring semester. That doesn’t mean some of the topics we cover aren’t deep and heavy. As you flip through the pages you might notice we tried to cover more local stories than usual. Why not highlight the unique stories Eastern North Carolina has to offer?

Thank you for keeping up with the different divisions of Pirate Media 1 and allowing us to be your number one source for campus news and information.

I’m so proud of everyone that participated in creating and making this publication come to life! We really tried to keep all students in mind when crafting story ideas, so there’s something for everyone. I hope you enjoy this edition as much as I do.

Yours truly,

KiarraCrayton

Eli Baine Managing Editor

Nia Cruz Creative Director

Parker Smith Production Manager

Jaylin Roberts Visual Arts Editor

Jamie Antinore

Kyleigh

Harper

Graphic Designer

Jaylin Roberts

Abby Brennan

Xavier Suber

Alayna Boyer

Pryor Shelton Photographers

Eli Baine

Aida Khalifa

Diego Lerma

Kristin Outland

Trevon McGlone

Alayna Boyer

Kim Kassner Reporters

Cherie Speller

Director of Student Media

Annah Howell

Multimedia & Production Adviser

Tim Davis

Advertising & Marketing Administrator

Ryder Barrett

Advertising & Marketing Associate

Candy Griffin Administrative Support Associate

Hidden Gems in Eastern

North Carolina

By

Diego Lerma & Alayna Boyer | Photos by Alayna Boyer

Beaufort County Arts Council housed within the Turnage Theatre

150 W. Main St., Washington, N.C. 27889

Located in Washington, North Carolina, it's a home for the arts, the Beaufort County Arts Council, originally founded in 1972. The arts council is located within the historic Turnage Theatre, originally constructed in 1913. Several renovations were made to accommodate a second theater called “The Palace Theatre,” where the arts council now hosts theater performances, music performances, and more. The arts council is a place where you can engage with the arts through live music, seeing visual art, watching a classic movie, or supporting local artists in another way.

North Carolina

When you first walk into the North Carolina Estuarium, you will be met with a beautiful driftwood installation piece in their main entrance. Located adjacent to the Washington Waterfront, the North Carolina Estuarium is a place where you can engage with nature, art, and environmental science. The walls are lined with artwork and exhibits to visit that highlight the nature and culture of the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula.

Goose Creek State Park

2190 Camp Leach Rd., Washington, N.C. 27889

The park is located in Washington, N.C., and was established back in 1974. The park offers many recreational activities for visitors of any kind. Whether you like activities like hiking, fishing, paddling, camping or nature viewing Goose Creek has a large variety for anyone who enjoys nature.

The town stands as the first to be founded in the state back in 1705. The town is a big part of the United States colonial history and this can be seen when visiting. Many people might know about Bath because of its connection to the famous pirate Blackbeard, and settled in the town for a time.

If you are interested in the history of the town, Historic Bath is the best place to visit. Many of the historic buildings from when the town was founded still stand like St. Thomas Church, Bonner and Palmer-Marsh House. Guided tours and reenactments of how people lived during that period in time are offered for those who wish to visit.

Bath, North Carolina

Music recommendations from The Hook’s Creative staff

By Creative Staff | Illustrations by Parker Smith

"Austin " by PostMalone

"Austin" is a big step in Malone's musical journey. It's more personal, showing lots of different feelings through different kinds of music. There are slow, thoughtful songs and also really exciting ones. Malone sounds strong and honest in the songs, talking about figuring things out, love, feeling sad and what it's like being famous. His voice is rough and fits perfectly with the music. This album shows how much better he's become at making music and telling stories. "Austin" isn't just any album; it's proof of how good Malone is now, showing he can do lots of different things in music.

"Z" by SZA

"Into " by Sonder

“Z” released in 2014, is an album by SZA that is a chill and down beat album to listen to when you are just trying to relax. The album features artists like Chance the Rapper on “Childs Play” and Kendrick Lamar on “Babylon.” While the first two songs on the album are in my top three favorites “Ur” and “Childs Play,” my No. 1 song is “Sweet November.” The song sets the tone for SZA’s ground work for control but adds a jazzy beat to the song. If you want to listen to an album that has jazz under tones to decompress after a long day of work or to have a study album “Z” is the one to go with.

“Into” is an album composed by multiple artists that was released in 2017. In this album Brent Faiyaz sings with deliberate calculation, soulfully laying down lyrics packed with harmonious introspection. It's almost as if he's singing in a whisper on tracks that explore living a fast-paced life ("Too Fast") and the wistful emotions brought on by complex romances ("Care"). Brent states that “Into” is a “reflection of shit that my ego won't allow me to speak on in everyday conversation”. It's everything from relationships with women and family to living too fast." Aside from relating from the songs they also have a nice soothing sound that's comforting and enjoyable to listen to.

"Lonerism " by Tam al a "A SeatatThe Table "bySol ange

"SYRE" by Jaden

“Lonerism” is Tame Impala’s second album that was released in 2012. Impala is a band that has been around since 2007 and “Lonerism” is one of the albums by them that should be talked about more. In Lonerism, Tame Impala combines the sound of psychedelic rock and elements of electronic music. My favorite thing about this album is how the artist builds layers within each song and it allows you to dissect different parts inside of each song. Every element that is added to the songs brings a different sensation within the sound. This album to me is a perfect example of how an artist can create fluidity within their sound.

“A Seat at The Table” is Solange Knowles’ third studio album released in September 2016. The album has themes of black empowerment and finding inner peace during times of struggle. If you enjoy underground R&B, this is the album for you. Much of the album flirts with the music genres of neo soul, funk, psychedelic soul and classic R&B sounds. There are also collaborators on the project from artists like Lil Wayne, Q-tip, Chicago the Kid and more. My personal favorite song off the album is "Cranes in the Sky" - a thoughtful, upbeat track that speaks about looking inward in response to one's personal afflictions rather than running to the world. Overall this album deals with several difficult topics dealt with today, centering them with an overarching theme of self reflection and healing, which I believe is refreshing in today's climate.

Need an album to just sit and listen to for a long car ride or just sitting in your room? SYER is a great concept album with the first part of the concept being B.L.U.E. Each letter from B.L.U.E. has an unclear start and end, making the songs a seamless mix of music. B.L.U.E. is a smooth ride of fast pace music and calmer music, this is why this part of the album is addictive.

As a whole the album has clever lyrics about how Smith’s world doesn’t make sense living in a star studded house, and his challenges with that growing up.

The growth of music in Greenville

By Alayna Boyer | Photos by Jaylin Roberts

One year ago, the doors to Alley Cat Records opened in Greenville, North Carolina. Little did anyone know, the record store would be one of many venues to host a D.I.Y music scene for up and coming artists in Eastern North Carolina.

What is D.I.Y?

D.I.Y. is a diverse, supportive community that embraces all types of art without reliance on the traditional structures of the music industry, according to Medium.

Over the last year, there has been an increased presence in the D.I.Y music scene in Greenville. Local business owners are taking the initiative to create resources and venues for artists.

Jeff Blinder, local to Greenville for the past two decades, is Alley Cat Records’ store manager, and owner of Spazz Presents, a local nonprofit supporting music and art in Greenville.

Blinder, along with other local business owners and musicians, are working together to support the growth of music in Greenville.

Through Spazz Presents, Blinder works to provide platforms for musicians and artists through inclusivity and diversity.

Blinder said Spazz Presents began in 2003 under a different name, but has now transpired to also be ‘Spazz Fest’, an annual festival showcasing different bands across participating venues in Greenville.

In the beginning, Blinder said he would do blind check-ins with bands to see if they were touring through the local area.

“I would try to see if their tour lined up, maybe possibly stop in Greenville because we’re right off the 95,” Blinder said. “As the years progressed, bands started telling other bands.”

Blinder said the D.I.Y music scene in Greenville is more popularly an element of the punk genre, but the punk genre itself has become more inclusive.

“It’s more on the punk side of things. But not the punk rock, sex pistols, leather jacket type,” Blinder said. “It’s 18-24 year old bands making music.”

In the beginning, Blinder said he also had D.I.Y house shows, where bands would go perform at someone’s house or apartment, something that is still done today in the Greenville music scene.

“We started out in my living room, which basically we would just throw up an extra mattress or two as soundproof, move all my living stuff, and then we would have a band play in the living room,” Blinder said.

Who else is backing the music scene?

Ryan Griffin, owner of Nash Hot Chicken in Downtown Greenville, opened his doors in May of 2022. Griffin said there aren’t many places in Greenville where you can dine and also experience live entertainment.

Griffin said Nash was always intended to be a hub for arts and entertainment and that it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that he pitched the idea to a friend in the restaurant industry.

“I pitched this idea of a food, kind of just like Nashville,” said Griffin. “You walk up and down the streets of Nashville, there's live music all of the time, so the opportunity to do that here was something that I couldn't pass up.”

Griffin said he was drawn to Greenville for the music scene, but when he got here, it had dried up. But now, Griffin said he wants to be a part of the music growth Greenville has been experiencing within the last year.

In 2021, arts and cultural economic activity increased by 13.7 percent after decreasing 4.8 percent in 2020, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Is that increase being reflected here in Greenville?

Blinder and Griffin have worked together to provide musicians with the resources to perform and create a platform for themselves in the Greenville community through performances, open mics, and more.

“Giving someone like that a platform that may not necessarily get a platform in this town, is something I didn't set out to do, but it's awesome that Jeff and I can work together,” said Griffon.

And they’re not alone.

Holden Dixon, a musician from Chocowinity, North Carolina, is a co-founder of the N.C. songwriters series “Songstories” and lead singer of “Holden Dixon Band”, and “Straightlines” out of Asheville, North Carolina.

Dixon said the N.C. Songstories series was created to provide opportunities to musicians to present original music to local communities.

“We basically do these ticketed events to teach musicians that don't have many ticketed events to be able to promote it and learn from that,” Dixon said. “And then also to bring in outside artists that have been in the industry to kind of mix that.”

Dixon said he plays a variety of music such as american-rock, alternative and indie music. A variety of genres to share with local communities and Blinder and Griffin are both examples of businesses that don’t just present as music venues, but cater to artists and musicians to make the most of their spaces.

“They’re doing a good job at just like integrating business with music and honestly that’s all we can ask for right now and that's how it's going to progress to that level of like more venues and more self reliance,” Dixon said.

What does self-reliance look like?

Griffin said everything from rock, reggae and bluegrass can be heard at Nash. Griffin said he wants his business to be a space for musicians from all different skill levels and backgrounds to come and share their talent.

“Literally the gamut (range) comes in here which is pretty cool,” Griffin said.

For Blinder, finally having a home base at Alley Cat Records has been good for SpazzPresents. Bringing the community together through inclusive music, has what it’s been all about for Blinder.

“At the beginning, it was me just finding bands that I really wanted to,” Blinder said, “Then it was narrowing it down to bands that would appreciate what we could offer them here which isn't grandiose in money but the Greenville community has only shown, even if it's only 10 people, have shown a lot of love for live music and arts.”

What happens next?

The 2013 Nashville Music Industry report found that the music industry helped create and sustain more than 56,000 local jobs and contributed 5.5 billion to the local economy, according to WIPO Magazine. Is Greenville on track to possibly grow its music scene into a viable economic advantage?

“There’s no reason why this shouldn’t be a musical hub for the entire country,” Griffin said. “ I’ve seen more talent here than I ever thought I would see in the first year of being open.”

How to plan a smooth move-out

By Kristin Outland |

by Pryor Shelton

A guide for renters and homeowners from professionals

Photo

AARON LUCIER, director of ECU’s Housing of Operations, said it’s important to be aware of your next housing situation and its rules before officially signing a lease.

Depending on one's living situation, Lucier said it’s also important to think about other duties associated with becoming a homeowner. He said there may be a variety of new responsibilities you may have to take on as part of agreeing to a particular housing situation.

“Make sure it’s the right type of housing for you,” Lucier said. “Are you ready to live in a neighborhood where you’re going to have to mow the lawn?”

Lucier said for individuals who are moving into homes, you may also have to consider costs of utilities and tasks such as setting up Wi-Fi connections, which may have already been done for you in other living situations, such as apartments.

When preparing to move out of dormitories, Lucier said one should know of the deposit requirements. He said students should ensure they have received proper instructions for a smooth move-out process.

“But if your landlord or your apartment manager hasn’t sent you what those expectations are, ask,” Lucier said. “We’re moving out in a month, what are the expectations, what are the cleanliness of the apartment.”

Lucier said wall damages and cleanliness charges are the most common fees students are charged with after moving out. Students should be aware of this moving in initially, he said, and in being careful of what is put up and that it is carefully taken down.

Another common charge that students face is for leaving items following move-out, Lucier said. Many do not realize that they can be charged for this, he said, but it is seen very commonly in the move-out process.

“Making sure you get your garbage out, making sure that all the garbage goes where it is,” Lucier said. “Is a very often charge that can be easily handled by the fact that you just didn’t make sure your garbage goes outside.”

Aryan Naik, assistant general manager at The

Landing

Student Living Apartments, said he recommends renters to assure they follow their rent terms, as there is typically a selected time and date for each individuals’ move-out.

Individuals moving to a new living situation should ensure that they’re forwarding address is sent to their old apartment, Naik said, in the case of any additional charges for damages.

Naik said it is a good idea to have evidence of the apartment’s condition prior to move-in and before moving out.

There could have already been damages in your apartment when moving in, which makes photo and video proof ideal in any types of potential charges for damages that are not of your own.

“Take pictures and videos,” Naik said. “As you never know something could come back and could be billed for that.”

Naik said he commonly sees a lot of trash left behind in rooms, as well as holes punched into walls from curtain damages and other damages due to the area not being patched up prior to move-out.

There are also usually many Light-emitting diodes (LEDS) left, Naik said, as this can cause paint to be ripped off of the walls and result in a charge. He said another common charge was damage to the apartment’s furniture, such as the couch.

LED lights have been a popular trend among college students for a few years now, which has since increased even more in popularity. However, it’s important to heavily consider what types of decorations to put up on the wall, as damages may occur. In fact, they can even be a burden to put up and take down at the end of the year.

Naik said for those who know they have damages to their apartment, it is best to let management know of this and plans for payment. However, Naik said the best tip to avoid this is to assure your space is clean.

“If there is any damage, just go ahead and let them know,” Naik said. “‘Hey, I have damage. I’d like to set up a payment plan if possible. But just avoid any additional damages. Just keep your space clean and maintained throughout the lease.”

Behind the glamour

By Aida Khalifa | Photos by Jaylin Roberts

For Purina Chow, it's

not all

glitz and glamour

Paul Coleman Temple, stage name Purina Chow, is a drag queen born and raised in Eastern North Carolina who has persevered through all of the challenges and struggles of his life over the course of his 36 year drag career.

Throughout his 36 years as a drag queen, Coleman said he has been an advocate and educator for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), an illness that he himself has been battling for 38 years. His work as a drag queen has always been charitable and what he can give to the community rather than what he can take.

Coleman started as a drag queen when he came out as gay in Greenville, North Carolina, at the Paddock club, an old nightclub in Greenville, in 1981 when he graduated from high school. He said the show was unlike anything he had ever seen before and he wanted to be a part of it.

“I had never seen actual gay people in the clubs,” Coleman said. “And then here comes this show where everybody leaves the dance floor and here comes the drag queens and I was just so captivated.”

Coleman was in theater at the Parrot Academy up until 10th grade before he transitioned to a public school without a drama department. He said he missed out on his high school years of doing theater so this was going to be his chance to make his debut as a performer.

“I leaned up and I said, who do you have to ask to do this,” Coleman said. “My friend said you don’t ask anybody, you just pick a name and if you can execute this craft, to do the walk in heels, look decent and get people to like you, then you’ll be a success.”

For four years Coleman enjoyed the shows and listened to the horror stories of drag and solved the ups and downs of it until 1985, when his world changed and he found out he was HIV positive. At the same time the first fundraiser for HIV was happening at the Paddock Club in Greenville and Coleman said he knew he wanted to participate in it.

By then, he had not created his drag character, so he set to work on finding his persona. Coleman said he tried all genres, such as serious and halloween drag but he just didn’t feel comfortable in that.

“Finally, one night, I just left my mustache on, I painted divine makeup on and in ‘86 that's when I figured it out,” Coleman said. “I’d curated the legendary Purina Chow. I did the pageant and lost and got first runner up so I said well I’m not gonna do this again.”

The following year, 45 minutes before the show, people were begging Coleman to perform, telling him he had to do it. He said somebody pulled a box of their grandmother's clothes out and he managed to pick through and find something to wear and in 1987 Purina Chow won and was officially somebody.

At that point, Coleman said, he started doing fundraisers and all that he could to entertain, all while keeping it very quiet and on the down low. His mother, a nurse for 55 years, and his father, a pharmacist for the same amount of time, knew everyone in the medical field in his hometown of Kinston, North Carolina. People back then were ignorant and scared and he didn’t want anyone to deal with the stigma, because, Coleman said referring to his HIV diagnosis, this was his problem that he had.

For the first five years while he was positive, Coleman's mother and father took care of him, constantly calling him to check his vitals and invite him for dinner. Coleman said his father would get him lots of vitamins because he knew what everything was at this point. Coleman was on a lot of multivitamins until 1990 when the “other shoe dropped.”

“This is when I went what they used to call full blown,” Coleman said. “They don't use these terms anymore but this was when you’re getting ready to die, it would almost be like going into hospice. My dad had been reading for five years and he found out that Duke University Hospital was number three in the nation for research and treatment so I went to Durham (North Carolina).”

Coleman said a lot of his mother’s family was in Durham and he didn’t interact with a lot of family because he didn’t want to have to hear what everyone had to say. The HIV stigma following everywhere, “It was bad enough when I came out,” Coleman said. “You got all those sad looks and now I had this

and oh my god, I just kind of withdrew and I moved to Durhman to die and put myself on all kinds of trials.”

Coleman said he never had to worry about any of the medical terminology or what to do because he could just ring up his mother or father and ask them what something is or get their advice and there was never anything he couldn't get an answer to.

At this point, Coleman said, is when his mom finally decided it was alright to tell people about his diagnosis because he was going to die. When the members of the medical community in Kinston found out, he said they gave their condolences but asked that Coleman not be brought to their clinic.

“My mother was a nurse and my father a pharmacist and these were doctors,” Coleman said. “Which means they have more knowledge than the people who are taking care of me and the people taking care of me weren’t bothered by it. People used to ask mom if she had a cup, a saucer and a spoon and fork just for me.”

In 1996, Coleman said the protease inhibitors, which are medications that prevent a virus from multiplying, came out and the dying started to subside and that's when he stabilized his HIV off. After this is when he decided to go back to Greenville and when asked why he said because he is from Eastern North Carolina, and that’s where his roots are.

When he came back to Eastern North Carolina, Coleman said he continued to do his Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) outreach and be active in whatever fundraiser he could be in. This is the 10th year of the PiCASO drag brunch in Greenville, he said, and it has been the most beneficial to the community.

“HIV is still out there and because it's not as prevalent as it used to be people have actually forgotten about it if you

can believe that,” Coleman said. “I was working at a local restaurant and one of the waitresses was talking about STDs and she said she forgot all about that disease and of course my jaw hit the floor.”

For the past 36 years, Coleman said, he has been speaking out in and out of drag. He said back then it was easier to get people to pay attention because they get scared at the risk of dying but as soon as that wasn’t as much of a risk anymore they stopped worrying.

Coleman said he is a big advocate of safe sex because of his journey and experience with HIV. He said college students now forget about the importance of safe sex and think it will ruin the mood.

“If you think it's gonna ruin the mood, imagine how it will ruin your pocketbook,” Coleman said. “My meds are 2000 dollars a month and then you have to deal with the issues from taking the medicine. At one point I was taking 16 imodium just to be regular and I’ve been on a lot of trials before it comes to market just to make sure of the side effects so that they can warn people out there.”

Coleman said he always put himself out there with trials and medications. He said coming from a clinical family he had the mindset of “If I’m gonna die, use me for what you can before I die,” because once he dies he won't be of any help to people.

While Coleman has done a lot, he wanted to focus as well on what all

Purina Chow has done within the drag community. He said Chow is most famous for the pearls she wears and she is a combination of Chippendales in her costume. Her makeup is the six colors of the original gay flag and a pink triangle for the Holocaust victims.

To give backstory on Purina Chow's pearls, Coleman said when he moved to Durham in 1990 to die he met a dear friend of his there, Miss Gay North Carolina Erica Van Cort, who took him under her wing and made him feel at home.

When Van Cort died, Coleman said all her belongings including clothes and accessories were lined up in her dressing room and people said to take anything they could wear.

“Chow is a very odd size,” Coleman said. “Eric was like a size one, I mean she was like your little finger and very thin at that but accessories know no size so I went up to the accessories table and I pulled out a nasty set of pearls that were covered in hairspray and face powder and I vowed to wear those in memory of her.”

When people started to hear of this Coleman said other queens would come by and give him some pearls and stones of those who have died. When people would get sick and go into hospice, Coleman would get a call from his social worker and he would know it was the end for them, so he would go and visit and take some pearls to give to those he’d see.

“I’d say these are here to look out for you and if you ever get down just know that I’m right here and the pearls would get back to me,” Coleman said. “These pearls that I wear are all the people that I touched and it's a way to remember them because when someone dies people stop talking about them.”

Coleman said he has never claimed to be a saint and the person to discover medications and tools to combat HIV but he always did all he can to help others like him. He said Van Cort was important to him, and while he tried to, he couldn’t save her from dying.

Almost every year Coleman has received pearls from friends all over the country, including a friend earlier this year in Massachusetts. He said the one that surprised him the most was his brother, who is a Republican.

Coleman’s brother has always loved him, and has said he will never stop loving him he said. His brother's wife bought a set of pearls for her uncle who was gay and died and sent them to Coleman and he said his brother was so glad to find a place where his wife's uncle could be remembered.

“These pearls that I wear are all the people that I touched and it's a way to remember them because when someone dies people stop talking about them.”

His brother is all the family he has left, Coleman said, after his father and younger brother killed themselves and his mother passed. He said they all would come to his shows when they could and his brother, Fred, is who he misses the most.

“I’ve been HIV positive for 36 years and I’ve been doing drag for 38 years,” Coleman said. “I’ve made some wonderful lifelong friends who have been smart and stayed healthy. One recently wrote me a note that said back in the 90s he was in between school and going to work and he decided to go to one of my shows and he said he will never forget my last quote I said, ‘love yourself enough to take care of yourself,’ and he’s been HIV negative since.”

Coleman said there is always someone out there paying attention to what you say, like teachers in a classroom. He said they don’t know who in the room is going to absorb what and he just wants people to be careful.

The quote he describes, “love yourself enough to take care of yourself” has been something he has always preached and lived by, he said. Coleman said he always just wants people to be careful and take life in moderations.

The support that he’s received from the Greenville community, Coleman said, has

been phenomenal. If there is any charitable organization, particularly HIV, everyone knows he’s there.

“When I was young we had a housekeeper,” Coleman said. “I can remember standing at the sink and I asked her why are you always happy, because you see the stuff on the news about racism back in the 60s and she looked at me and said if you can make one person smile each day you’ve done God’s work and I’ve never forgotten that.”

Coleman said he’s always stuck by those words and that’s what he tries to do with his performances. - He said Chow makes people happy and forget their troubles. Chow doesn’t do long songs and he said she’s an old school girl that believes that the brunches should be for charity.

“You will catch me doing more charitable work than work for green,” Coleman said. “I was blessed with a loving family, they never put me down, never turned their backs on me or put me out, they were always there for me. I’ve been blessed with life and I consider this borrowed time and I’m so grateful for it.”

Coleman said over time people have been able to experiment and define what they’re concept of drag is. Now there will be drag queens with beards and mustaches because not everyone is made to fit into the standard beauty queen and pageant attire. Coleman broke the mold, he said, when he took his drag and made it odd and let all the other queens know that it is okay to be pretty and different and have a chance to be who they are when they perform.

“I just want people to enjoy what we do as performers,” Coleman said. “We’re not trying to change anybody, we’re not trying to change the world, we're just trying to change our little plot and help the people in our little plot.”

Coleman said he’s just a regular person. He’s not a regular queen because he doesn’t live that life. When Chow is not on stage he’s just Coleman and it took him a long time to learn that.

Opioids impact

By Eli Baine | Illustrations by Jamie Antinore and Parker Smith

Opioids are a growing problem across the country, and for college students, it is important to know how to stay safe from these drugs, how dangerous they are, and how to prevent overdoses.

Bob Morphet the associate director of the East Carolina University Counseling Center and Hillary Liles the Alcohol and Other Drug staff counselor provided some details on the prevalence of opioid use and its risks.

Opioid addiction has a long list of effects, medical and otherwise. According to the Counseling Center,

these include withdrawal symptoms, sleep disordered breathing, potential for legal troubles and negatively impacted family relations. Overdoses are the most dangerous result of opioid use.

“Due to their pharmacological effects, opioids can cause breathing difficulties, and opioid overdose can lead to death,” Liles said. “Using opioids in combination with alcohol and/or other substances or medicines that suppress respiratory function such as benzodiazepines significantly increases overdose potential.”

the community

A 2023 National Institute of Health research paper reports that over three million Americans and 16 million people worldwide have been dependent on opioids at some point in their lives. The article said that a large contributor to the epidemic is the overprescription of opioid products and their aggressive marketing.

“Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used for complete or partial reversal of opioid overdose,” Morphet said. “Students have had access to naloxone through Student Health Services Pharmacy since February 2020. Students can seek free

naloxone in a discreet, non-judgmental manner.”

The free “Pirate Safety Kit” offered by the Student Health Services Pharmacy contains two doses of naloxone, other resources and materials covering overdose and addiction prevention. Students need only to ask the pharmacy for the kit to receive one at no cost.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Protection, opioid deaths in America have risen by nearly a factor of four times from 2010 to 2021, or from 21,089 to 80,411 deaths in each respective year. These numbers have risen even more in 2022 and 2023.

“There were 111,355 overall total overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending April 2023, compared with 110,394 deaths in the 12-month period ending March 2022,” Morphet said. “According to data from the CDC, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are involved in nearly 70 percent of drug overdose deaths.”

The Counseling Center staff said this is possible thanks to the ECU’s Good Samaritan Regulation, which protects students in need of alcohol overdose treatment.

In the spring of last year, a team collaboration between the Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies and the Department of Advanced Nursing Practice and Education at ECU was offered $380,000 to research opioid abuse in the country and its effects.

Team leaders W. Leigh Atherton and Chandra Speight are studying how encouragement affects addiction outcomes and where it is often sourced from and how “peer-delivered” treatment could work in areas in need.

One student who wished to remain unnamed said they had experience with prescription opioid abuse in their life, and has since recovered. They said opioids and addictive substances like them should be avoided, but there should still be support for those who struggle with drug addiction.

“I think a college environment has made it easier for me to put my mind to other things, and the progress with naloxone being available is really important,” they said. “Fentanyl test strips, naloxone kits, clean needles, all things like that should be available to everyone. There’s no other option. They don’t support addiction, they save

They said that overcoming a substance use disorder was something that required a lot of help and support from both loved ones and professionals.

More and more movements in universities in North Carolina and across the country are pushing for these programs and offerings to protect students and prevent drug use disorders, and they said progress shouldn't stop.

“Me personally, I couldn’t have been where I am now if we still thought of addiction the same way as we have decades ago,” they said. “I know for a fact there are others who still need more help. We shouldn’t disregard them because of a few bad mistakes.”

Opiod deaths in America have risen by nearly a factor of four from 2010 to 2021.

111,355

There were 111,355 overall total overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending April 2023.

70 percent of drug overdose deaths

Fishing Spots in the Greenville area

By Trevon McGlone | Photos by Xavier Suber

River Park North Ponds

1000 Mumford Rd., Greenville, N.C. 27834

There are five different fishing ponds located at River Park North. According to fishbrain, there have been 306 logged catches in the ponds, making it the most successful catching area on the map.

Wildwood Park Lake

3450 Blue Heron Dr., Greenville, N.C. 27834

The lake inside of Wildwood Park in Greenville, NC offers many different types of freshwater fishes. They also have a program that teaches visitors about Ichthyology, which is the study of fish. About 195 successful catches have been logged there according to fishbrain.

South Tar River Greenway

The Tar River has 608 logged catches and according to Fishbrain, the most caught species are the largemouth bass, striped bass and flathead catfish. Some blue catfish and bowfins can also be found here.

As seen around campus

Enjoy these ECU-based memes!

Them: Who changed the music??? Me:

How it feels to finally get your Chick-fil-A after the most stressful 20 minutes of your life.

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When you see a yellow piece of paper on your car windshield

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Cover Photo by: Jaylin Roberts Cover Model: Purina Chow (Paul Coleman Temple)