Spring Break
Illegal drugs prevalent on campus
Courtney Teague-Carter
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
Two December drug busts which led to the arrest of some UW-Whitewater students are shining light on drug use on-campus and its consequences.
Eleven people, including seven UW-Whitewater students, were arrested Dec. 10 and charged with various drug crimes, including some felonies, following a raid at two homes near campus.
While drug use on campus is not limited to one particular drug, marijuana seems to be the one that causes the most problems for students, and it was the center of December's busts.
Illegal drug use, specifically marijuana, has become a wide-spread problem on campuses across the nation. According to studies conducted by The Core Institute and The Harvard School of Public Health, annual usage among college students has continued to rise since 1990.
However, according to Amy Margulies, coordinator of the Student and Employee Assistance Program, the UW System conducts a survey every two years asking students about their drug and alcohol usage, and the numbers have stayed consistent over the years.
"The survey's results show that about 20 percent of students on each UW campus report using marijuana at least once over a 30-day period," Margulies said. "But students have a real misperception about how many other students actually use drugs. Fortunately, our program does offer students assessments to figure out helpful options."
University Police rely on a variety of different methods to catch users.
"We use a number of ways to help find users on campus," University Police Chief Matthew Kiederlen said. "Some include anonymous tips often called in by residents, or officers may come across it during traffic stops or while on foot patrol."
It has not been determined if UW-Whitewater has seen an increase or decrease in the number of arrests or disciplinary actions given as a result of drug possession for the year 2007, because the statistics have yet to be released.
Yet December's drug busts served notice to students and police about a growing problem here on campus with stiff consequences.
"These days we do more education on the penalties [of marijuana use] than the dangers," Kiederlen said.
According to Kiederlen, the penalties of being caught with a drug like marijuana differ depending on the amount and students' intent.
"Students can face criminal charges if there are found with a certain amount," Kiederlen said. "Citations are usually issued if a student is caught with what is called 'user quantity.'"
Chapters 17 and 18 of the UW System deal with nonacademic misconduct including drug use. If a student is caught with drugs, possible consequences include disciplinary probation, suspension and in severe cases, expulsion.
"Students are often familiar with the [physical] dangers of drug use," Kiederlen said. "But the consequences extend beyond that. They have the power to really hurt your whole life."
Eleven people, including seven UW-Whitewater students, were arrested Dec. 10 and charged with various drug crimes, including some felonies, following a raid at two homes near campus.
While drug use on campus is not limited to one particular drug, marijuana seems to be the one that causes the most problems for students, and it was the center of December's busts.
Illegal drug use, specifically marijuana, has become a wide-spread problem on campuses across the nation. According to studies conducted by The Core Institute and The Harvard School of Public Health, annual usage among college students has continued to rise since 1990.
However, according to Amy Margulies, coordinator of the Student and Employee Assistance Program, the UW System conducts a survey every two years asking students about their drug and alcohol usage, and the numbers have stayed consistent over the years.
"The survey's results show that about 20 percent of students on each UW campus report using marijuana at least once over a 30-day period," Margulies said. "But students have a real misperception about how many other students actually use drugs. Fortunately, our program does offer students assessments to figure out helpful options."
University Police rely on a variety of different methods to catch users.
"We use a number of ways to help find users on campus," University Police Chief Matthew Kiederlen said. "Some include anonymous tips often called in by residents, or officers may come across it during traffic stops or while on foot patrol."
It has not been determined if UW-Whitewater has seen an increase or decrease in the number of arrests or disciplinary actions given as a result of drug possession for the year 2007, because the statistics have yet to be released.
Yet December's drug busts served notice to students and police about a growing problem here on campus with stiff consequences.
"These days we do more education on the penalties [of marijuana use] than the dangers," Kiederlen said.
According to Kiederlen, the penalties of being caught with a drug like marijuana differ depending on the amount and students' intent.
"Students can face criminal charges if there are found with a certain amount," Kiederlen said. "Citations are usually issued if a student is caught with what is called 'user quantity.'"
Chapters 17 and 18 of the UW System deal with nonacademic misconduct including drug use. If a student is caught with drugs, possible consequences include disciplinary probation, suspension and in severe cases, expulsion.
"Students are often familiar with the [physical] dangers of drug use," Kiederlen said. "But the consequences extend beyond that. They have the power to really hurt your whole life."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Sophie Griffiths
posted 4/03/08 @ 8:57 AM CST
I think that Nikki Brown is completely wrong as illegal
drugs should stay illegal. Illegal drugs can mess with peoples heads.
Sophie.x
Nelson
Nelson
posted 4/07/08 @ 4:07 PM CST
Sophie--"Mess with peoples heads"? I think that living a careful drug free life carries equal potential to mess with your head. Fact is we use drugs all the time. (Continued…)
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