Sith Chaisurote: Offering a new option for Penn nondrinkers

I still remember holding my first and only cup of beer. I was surrounded by classmates from my freshman management class. We had just finished our semester project, and we went to a party to enjoy our success together. Everyone was drinking, and they seemed to be having a great time.

As I sat on the couch taking in the scene, a classmate came over to chat. As we talked, he drank his beer and I listened nervously. My cup was still full and if I did not drink, I felt people would begin to notice. So I had an urge to take a sip.

But then something inside reminded me of a pledge I made before coming to college. I pledged that I would never drink. So I excused myself and went to the bathroom. I dumped the beer into the sink and breathed a sigh of relief -- partly because I could still honor my pledge, and partly because everyone would think that I finished my beer and I would now belong in the group.

That was my first party experience at Penn.

Since then, I have gone to other parties with friends who drink. No doubt they have tried hard to persuade me to follow, but I have learned how to decline their offer. I told my friends that I would go to parties with them if they did not make me drink. They grew to respect my view, and I have been fortunate for having friends like them.

But others may not understand. Some may see this behavior as weak or antisocial. Some may start laughing at this author. I expect such reactions. Nevertheless, almost four years later, I can say today that I am proud that I never drank that beer, that I have never known the taste of alcohol or the effects of consumption.

Today, I am content with who I am and very proud of it.

And I am not alone.

During this past winter break, I went to Thailand and learned about a recent movement to support nondrinkers. Inspired by Venerable Dhammachayo Bhikku, president of the Dhammakaya Foundation in Thailand, this movement was originally created to counter an attempt to pass a law permitting minors to drink beverages with 5 percent alcohol. Fortunately, that attempt failed, but the campaign lived on and generated greater momentum as the public became aware of it. In this campaign, people march and gather together in a public place to declare that they do not wish to drink or smoke. It began with individuals in small communities and spread to high schools, markets and restaurants. Major universities in Thailand also hosted such events. Even a Thai senator participated in one of these marches. Today, this is a national movement spurring public gatherings in many cities.

I asked myself, "Why can't something like this be done on Penn's campus?" The answer is, of course it can, because I am not alone.

According to the Office of Health Education survey, 15 percent of Penn students are nondrinkers. That is over 1,000 students. There are people like me on campus. We may not be the most popular people at parties because we do not drink. We may not be conspicuous on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights because we decide to spend our leisure time differently. We may enjoy watching a play more than drinking. Or we may like chatting with friends at a coffeehouse more than at a party.

The silent voices of nondrinkers do exist. Thus, I sought and found a group of friends interested in creating this movement to support nondrinkers. We call our campaign "Better Life Initiative."

Why "Better Life"? We chose this name because we hope that this campaign will help nondrinkers feel confident and better about this lifestyle. We are not here to judge drinkers as we respect your choice to drink, and we hope you can respect our choice to abstain.

Our main objective is to create a collective voice for nondrinkers and give them encouragement. We wish to tell them that whatever their reasons may be, this choice is okay and there are people like them out there. We also hope to give support to those who may consider giving up these substances as well as to people in recovery. And in keeping with the spirit of the Thai campaign, we will march down Locust Walk to College Green at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 26. There, we will celebrate our choice to abstain.

So we would like to invite you, whether you are nondrinkers or you are like my friends who respect and understand, to march with us on that day. There will be speakers. There will be music and Thai iced tea. And it will be fun.

Someone once told me that it can be lonely being a nondrinker on campus. With this campaign, we hope to tell all of you who share this sentiment that you are not alone. You have our support and no doubt the support of the other 1,000 students on campus.

So when you see us on that day, come join us in our declaration to abstain.

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