Mississippi College issued the following news release:

Problems like eating disorders, domestic violence and drug addiction are major issues facing millions of Americans.

Mississippi College has invited several speakers, including leaders of the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the state attorney general's office and Jackson Police Department to address the issues.

The "Addiction-Intervention Week" on the Clinton campus kicks off Monday Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. in Anderson Hall West with a showing of the movie "28 Days," starring Sandra Bullock. In the 2000 film, Bullock plays a newspaper columnist who's obliged to enter rehabilitation for a drinking problem. The writer gets in a car accident while drunk on the day of her sister's wedding.

The annual week is sponsored by the Office of Student Life and the Men's and Women's Affairs Boards.

Other events include a session on narcotics on Tuesday Feb. 17 beginning at noon at Room 208 of Alumni Hall. Slices of Little Caesar's Pizza and Chick-Fil-A chicken strips will be served. A program showing the danger of excessive drinking is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the B.C. Rogers Student Center.

A drama depicting domestic violence will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday in Anderson Hall West. That day, students are encouraged to wear purple which is considered the color of domestic violence. "Hopefully, it will serve as an aid in putting an end to domestic violence," said MC junior Debra Thompson of Jackson, one of the coordinators for the week's events.

"I believe that domestic violence should be one of our top issues in our society today because it has become a silent epidemic," Thompson said. "Most victims accept it as part of their normal lives, and believe nothing is wrong."

The Thursday evening program will include a giveaway of three i-Pod Shuffles and gift cards.

Wrapping up the week, on Friday Feb. 20, there will be a noon discussion on eating disorders. Counselor Jennifer Heggie, an MC graduate, and Carol Barnes, an instructor in the MC Kinesiology Department, will be the speakers. The event will be held in Anderson Hall meeting room A.

College students across the nation are not immune from these problems, said Joseph Odenwald, coordinator of student development at MC. "Our prayer is for those who struggle with these issues to find courage to ask for help," he said. "We hope to encourage discussion about these life threatening/altering issues."