2008 Woodie Awards
Trend toward cocaine and other drugs goes unnoticed
Lauren Wiesner
Issue date: 2/10/05 Section: News
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"It makes you feel all crazy like, plus it's not bad for you; like, you can't get lung cancer from it," she said.
Cocaine use on campus is not advertised on message boards or addressed by a special Task Force; however, some students at the College live with addiction every day.
While wishing to remain anonymous, one Prosser resident explained why she has used cocaine since her senior year in high school.
"It helps me not be hungry so I can lose weight," she said. "Most people I know that do it are girls 'cause it helps them stay skinny."
Gauging the extensiveness of drug use on campus is not a simple task, and Campus Safety reports alone are only inclusive of cases where students are caught for their actions.
"I only do it once or twice a day, but not even every day... some people do it more," said the first-year student. "Sometimes though, I'd rather just smoke up. It's a much different feeling."
According to Ken Lupole, Director of Campus Safety and Security, there have been no cases of cocaine use reported this year. "All drug cases are primarily marijuana," said Lupole. "Cocaine is not as detectable as other drugs. You can smell marijuana."
Lupole explained that the smell can travel through dormitory halls, whereas cocaine has no detectable odor.
"I've got to believe we have drugs here. But it's not something we've been aware of as a major problem," said Lupole.
While some students are using drugs, others have expressed concern for their classmates.
According to Devon Allen, Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance, "I've been approached twice by two different students at two different times out of concerns that students had for their fellow students."
Both concerned students came to Allen this semester. "These were both students who were fairly balanced and not inflammatory at all," she said.
Allen suggested that the students approach their classmates with honesty about their concern.
Cocaine use on campus is not advertised on message boards or addressed by a special Task Force; however, some students at the College live with addiction every day.
While wishing to remain anonymous, one Prosser resident explained why she has used cocaine since her senior year in high school.
"It helps me not be hungry so I can lose weight," she said. "Most people I know that do it are girls 'cause it helps them stay skinny."
Gauging the extensiveness of drug use on campus is not a simple task, and Campus Safety reports alone are only inclusive of cases where students are caught for their actions.
"I only do it once or twice a day, but not even every day... some people do it more," said the first-year student. "Sometimes though, I'd rather just smoke up. It's a much different feeling."
According to Ken Lupole, Director of Campus Safety and Security, there have been no cases of cocaine use reported this year. "All drug cases are primarily marijuana," said Lupole. "Cocaine is not as detectable as other drugs. You can smell marijuana."
Lupole explained that the smell can travel through dormitory halls, whereas cocaine has no detectable odor.
"I've got to believe we have drugs here. But it's not something we've been aware of as a major problem," said Lupole.
While some students are using drugs, others have expressed concern for their classmates.
According to Devon Allen, Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance, "I've been approached twice by two different students at two different times out of concerns that students had for their fellow students."
Both concerned students came to Allen this semester. "These were both students who were fairly balanced and not inflammatory at all," she said.
Allen suggested that the students approach their classmates with honesty about their concern.