Saratoga's West Valley College Observes Drug, Alcohol Awareness Week

The small grassy hill next to West Valley College Campus Center's almost completed Viking Grove has dozens of gravestones bearing the names of those who have lost their lives to drug and alcohol abuse.

Upon first glance, visitors are taken aback by the display ... others believe it's part of the upcoming Halloween celebrations Oct. 31.

But WVC interim President Bradley Davis said the markers are part of the college's effort to bring attention to drug and alcohol abuse.

"Drug and alcohol addiction and use is a major problem on every college campus," Davis said in trying to explain the macabre presentation, which was put together to observe drug and alcohol awareness week Oct. 22-26.

WVC Associated Student Organization is trying to get the word out about the dangers of it by tying it to the Halloween theme, Davis said.