Drug life on campus, a student steps forward to speak
Alexi Treu
Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: Beyond
Acid, ecstasy, marijuana, cocaine and painkillers all have been taken at Hillsdale College, drug users on campus told me.
Drug use is more common than most people would think, and that I know for a fact. Not only have I have seen it at parties and heard about it from friends and acquaintances but also I have personally seen what happens when illegal drugs are used. Moderate use of controlled substances definitely has effects, but when usage envelops student lives, events tend to spiral out of control.
Nevertheless, Hillsdale Mayor Michael Sessions, a junior, said there have not been any drug problems between the college students and local law enforcement during his tenure. Only three students have been expelled for drug use in the last eight years.
Mike Wertz, director of campus security, said fewer people use drugs at Hillsdale than at most colleges. He said he believes the caliber of student Hillsdale draws in affects the use of drugs because students realize the consequences of getting caught.
Sessions said the city and county police are taking an active role when it comes to illegal drug use. He also said few college students have to worry because they don't use drugs repeatedly.
Hillsdale College penalizes illegal drug possession more severly than serious alcohol offenses, Wertz said, because alcohol is socially acceptable, and the college has a bigger liability issue with drugs.
He said, "We must operate within the rules."
Drug use on campus can affect both drug users and their friends and family, but some students said they use the substances to provide a break from the rigors of college life.
I met Steve Chalberg, now a former Hillsdale student, playing Halo. He's one of the most fun people I know, and he has a giant heart.
He doesn't attend Hillsdale anymore; he was suspended from college in October of 2008 when the custodial staff found a marijuana stem in his room. He never returned. He said although he understands Hillsdale does need to take a tough stand on illegal drugs because, by name, they are illegal, they "weigh it too heavily," and sometimes the punishment does not fit the crime.
Drug use is more common than most people would think, and that I know for a fact. Not only have I have seen it at parties and heard about it from friends and acquaintances but also I have personally seen what happens when illegal drugs are used. Moderate use of controlled substances definitely has effects, but when usage envelops student lives, events tend to spiral out of control.
Nevertheless, Hillsdale Mayor Michael Sessions, a junior, said there have not been any drug problems between the college students and local law enforcement during his tenure. Only three students have been expelled for drug use in the last eight years.
Mike Wertz, director of campus security, said fewer people use drugs at Hillsdale than at most colleges. He said he believes the caliber of student Hillsdale draws in affects the use of drugs because students realize the consequences of getting caught.
Sessions said the city and county police are taking an active role when it comes to illegal drug use. He also said few college students have to worry because they don't use drugs repeatedly.
Hillsdale College penalizes illegal drug possession more severly than serious alcohol offenses, Wertz said, because alcohol is socially acceptable, and the college has a bigger liability issue with drugs.
He said, "We must operate within the rules."
Drug use on campus can affect both drug users and their friends and family, but some students said they use the substances to provide a break from the rigors of college life.
I met Steve Chalberg, now a former Hillsdale student, playing Halo. He's one of the most fun people I know, and he has a giant heart.
He doesn't attend Hillsdale anymore; he was suspended from college in October of 2008 when the custodial staff found a marijuana stem in his room. He never returned. He said although he understands Hillsdale does need to take a tough stand on illegal drugs because, by name, they are illegal, they "weigh it too heavily," and sometimes the punishment does not fit the crime.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Scott
posted 2/19/09 @ 3:52 PM EST
I know shooting heroin really helped me get through a few Birzer finals.
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