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The student has been assisted by the Gap Project.
A Brasenose student who had taken a year out of college is now selling the Big Issue in Cowley and Jericho.
The student, who we have decided not to name, would have been a PPE finalist this year, but decided to leave college mid-way through Michaelmas term 2007, after developing a drug problem.
He had been described as a gifted student, but his work suffered as a result of the habit, according to a friend who wished to remain anonymous. He left the University but has remained in Oxford. He continues to have a drug problem.
The student has been seen selling the Big Issue around Tesco’s in Cowley, near the Co-op in Jericho, and also in Summertown. He has also been aided by the Gap Project, on Park End Street, a social welfare service that helps homeless, socially excluded or vulnerable people find somewhere to live, as well as jobs.
According to another one of his friends, a homeless heroin-addict who preferred to remain anonymous, the ex-Brasenose student is determined to come back to the University and made the choice to live on the streets after engaging with a number of people in a similar situation while still at college. He is due to take up his studies again next academic year.
When we spoke to the student, he described the support he received from Brasenose as “brilliant” but would not talk further about his situation.
One Brasenose third-year, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “It is hard to believe that someone can go from studying at one of the best universities in the world to selling the Big Issue on the street.
“It’s a tragic waste of talent, but just goes to show the devastating consequences of drug addiction.”
Rebecca Burton, OUSU’s Health and Welfare Officer, said, “OUSU believes that all colleges have a duty of care to all of their students and we hope that this has been met in this situation. We would also urge any student who believes that they may be developing any form of addiction to contact their GP or another specialist welfare provider, such as the national drugs helpline, Release.”
Brasenose College refused to comment, saying they do not speak about individual cases.
» 3 comments
1"What a failure"
on Sunday, 18 May 2008 01:25
This is such a depressing story. This guy has absolutely failed in life. Could've gone to a magic circle law firm or bulge bracket investment bank with a Brasenose degree, but no thanks to crack cocaine he is selling the Big sodding Issue. What a failure in life, a testament why not to touch drugs.
2"To Hannah Yardly"
on Sunday, 18 May 2008 10:20
Gosh, Hannah, on what basis can you state he has "absolutely failed in life"?? And are you really so unimaginative that you can only measure success on whether someone enters a 'magic circle law firm' or investment bank? Ironically, some of the biggest users of cocaine are in the London finance houses. I guess they have little else to live for.
Apologies if your remarks were actually tongue-in-cheek.
3comment
on Monday, 19 May 2008 12:00
Rebecca, he's a homeless smack addict. I wouldn't call that a roaring success and I suspect neither would his tutors, friends or parents.
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