Applications for the Randall Blair Isenberg Alcohol Addiction Scholarship 2022 closed in June, and after much review and evaluation, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg would like to announce this year’s winner: Abena Boateng!
Boateng will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship for her essay, which detailed her volunteer work at the University of Texas at Austin. We hope she continues to keep spreading addiction awareness as she finishes her undergraduate degree and pursues medical school.
University of Texas Student Spread Alcohol Addiction Awareness in Her School
Abena Boateng is currently a student at the University of Texas at Austin, set to graduate in May of 2025. Her essay shed light on her volunteer work with the university through its addiction awareness initiative program, SHIFT, noting one event where her group made nonalcoholic drinks for students to show them how to enjoy being social without having to become intoxicated.
“Recently, I have gained more insight on substance abuse and misuse,” said Boateng. “I feel like, as individuals, it should not take [a] personal connection in order to make a change in a community we do not directly relate to. However, by getting more involved in this community, I have been able to gain personal attachment [to addiction awareness], which has made me even more passionate in creating a change.”
Boateng’s Ambition Stems from the Strong Women in Her Life
In her scholarship questionnaire, Boateng made it clear that the biggest inspirations in her life are the women in her life. Namely, her mother, aunts, and grandmother. She credits their ambition to continue achieving great things in their lives as the reason she aims to pursue her own goals, like medical school after getting her undergraduate degree in Public Health and Biostatistics.
“As a child, I watched them [work] their way up to all their dreams and passions. I really value how even though [they] have made big achievements, they did not just stop there but they kept going,” Boateng wrote. “Most importantly, they…didn’t lose themselves to the process or the world. I hope to impact others in the same way they have.”
What Is the Randall Blair Isenberg Alcohol Addiction Scholarship?
The Randall Blair Isenberg Alcohol Addiction Scholarship was created by the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg as an effort to award a deserving student who has a passion for teaching others about the dangers and consequences of substance abuse. The program awards one student a $1,000 scholarship to put toward their higher education.
Founding Attorney Randall B. Isenberg saw face-first the horrible paths alcohol abuse can take people, from going to jail for alcohol-related charges like driving while intoxicated (DWI) to having to live with the guilt of one’s actions while intoxicated (e.g., domestic violence, assault, or murder). Our firm’s criminal defense lawyers advocate for second-chance options for our clients, fighting for rehabilitation over jail sentences so that they have opportunities to turn their lives around.
Students Had to Meet Eligibility Requirements to Apply
Students who applied for the scholarship needed to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be an admitted or enrolled student at a college, university, or graduate school in the United States
- Must have a history of spreading addiction awareness, such as through volunteer work or student/work experiences
- Must have at least a 3.0 GPA
- Must submit a 500-word essay on alcohol addiction
The deadline for the essay contest closed in June 2022.
Millions of Adults Are Affected by Alcohol Addiction, According to NIAAA
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)’s 2019 survey results, about 14.1 million adults (18 years of age or older) in the United States live with alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD includes alcoholism, alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and alcohol addiction—all at varying degrees of severity.
AUD is a disease that can cause negative physical, mental, and emotional effects on an individual. Common risk factors for AUD include:
- Drinking at a young age: Individuals who engage in drinking in high school, particularly before the age of 15, are five times more likely to develop AUD than those who waited until they were of legal age, according to the NIAAA.
- Family history of alcoholism or alcohol abuse: People who have family members with AUD are more likely to develop the disorder because of influence and genetics.
- Trauma and mental health conditions: People who suffer from mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety, are more likely to use alcohol as a coping mechanism, which could then lead to dependence on alcohol.
Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg for Criminal Defense Representation
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg handles criminal defense cases, including cases involving DWI and DUI charges. If you are facing criminal charges for an alcohol-related offense, our legal team wants to hear about your case. We can work to reduce or even eliminate your charges. Our team works hard to fight for our clients’ rights, so feel free to call our team for a free case review.
