Faults of UNH Drug Policy
Printed in the Friday, April 15th issue of The New Hampshire
It is my belief that the drug policy of UNH disproportionately punishes drug users over alcohol users, regardless of the responsibility of the user. Whereas an alcohol violation may result in an arrest, the consequences for an internal possession arrest are much less severe than an arrest for possession of controlled drugs.
Although my qualms with our drug laws are mostly the fault of the state and federal governments, their existence affords the UNH police wide latitude in detaining and oppressing students who use cannabis responsibly. This reality has created stark conflict between the interests of students and the interests of the administration and its enforcement arm – UNH police.
UNH has the highest ratio of drug arrests to student population for any university in New England. What's more appalling is that the UNH administration encourages the actions of UNH PD and supports the zero-tolerance attitude that continually ruins the educational prospects for many bright and promising students. In 2009, Dean of Students Anne Lawing reiterated this policy saying: "We get students early on and forestall future problems. If students aren't getting arrested again, then yes, we're a success.
The problem with this mentality is that a single drug arrest can mean a loss of crucial financial aid, eviction from dorms or apartments and reduced job prospects for students – but for what purpose? Do not be fooled, the vast majority of students arrested for drugs at UNH are not threatening the well-being of other students or the "health of the university community," they are just the unlucky ones. Unfortunately, they are the ones who bear the harshest consequences for the safer choice.
Even in dorms, alcohol violations are treated in a much more relaxed manner than drug violations. Residential Advisors are barred by UNH Housing policy from confronting residents suspected of smoking marijuana in their room and instead must immediately call the police. RAs that suspect alcohol consumption have the authority to confront their residents as well as issue violations, the repercussions of which only affect housing and conduct, not a criminal record.
In fact, violent acts committed on campus over the last two years have been attributed to the excessive use of alcohol, not cannabis. Take the period of September 2009 to October of that same year: four assaults were committed on campus in some of the most populated areas, specifically on Friday or Saturday nights. The fact that the UNH PD continues to pursue drug users over violent offenders in light of these events hinders their fundamental responsibility to student safety. Instead, they feel that their time (and our tuition) is better spent putting up an excessive number of easy arrests to make the UNH drug force look good.
Is it any wonder why they choose this route? The UNH PD receives federal grants for pursuing drug arrests, not for preventing assault. To the department, it's like shooting fish in a barrel!
The incentives in this system are all wrong. Our focus should be on actual crimes, not harmless cannabis users. I'd love to know what the Dover PD thinks of this perverse funding scheme while they attempt to combat armed robbery and home invasion on a limited budget.
So the question becomes: how can we effectively deter and prevent violent assaults on campus? As we all have an interest in promoting a safe and open environment on campus for students to pursue their academic passions, we must be willing to alter the way we police this campus.
I propose that UNH police officers, on those busy Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, step out of their scary Dodge Chargers and onto the streets. One wonders if we had more officers walking the beat looking for angry, violent people at night, we could deter some of the dangerous events that occur on campus all too often.
It is my belief that the drug policy of UNH disproportionately punishes drug users over alcohol users, regardless of the responsibility of the user. Whereas an alcohol violation may result in an arrest, the consequences for an internal possession arrest are much less severe than an arrest for possession of controlled drugs.
Although my qualms with our drug laws are mostly the fault of the state and federal governments, their existence affords the UNH police wide latitude in detaining and oppressing students who use cannabis responsibly. This reality has created stark conflict between the interests of students and the interests of the administration and its enforcement arm – UNH police.
UNH has the highest ratio of drug arrests to student population for any university in New England. What's more appalling is that the UNH administration encourages the actions of UNH PD and supports the zero-tolerance attitude that continually ruins the educational prospects for many bright and promising students. In 2009, Dean of Students Anne Lawing reiterated this policy saying: "We get students early on and forestall future problems. If students aren't getting arrested again, then yes, we're a success.
The problem with this mentality is that a single drug arrest can mean a loss of crucial financial aid, eviction from dorms or apartments and reduced job prospects for students – but for what purpose? Do not be fooled, the vast majority of students arrested for drugs at UNH are not threatening the well-being of other students or the "health of the university community," they are just the unlucky ones. Unfortunately, they are the ones who bear the harshest consequences for the safer choice.
Even in dorms, alcohol violations are treated in a much more relaxed manner than drug violations. Residential Advisors are barred by UNH Housing policy from confronting residents suspected of smoking marijuana in their room and instead must immediately call the police. RAs that suspect alcohol consumption have the authority to confront their residents as well as issue violations, the repercussions of which only affect housing and conduct, not a criminal record.
In fact, violent acts committed on campus over the last two years have been attributed to the excessive use of alcohol, not cannabis. Take the period of September 2009 to October of that same year: four assaults were committed on campus in some of the most populated areas, specifically on Friday or Saturday nights. The fact that the UNH PD continues to pursue drug users over violent offenders in light of these events hinders their fundamental responsibility to student safety. Instead, they feel that their time (and our tuition) is better spent putting up an excessive number of easy arrests to make the UNH drug force look good.
Is it any wonder why they choose this route? The UNH PD receives federal grants for pursuing drug arrests, not for preventing assault. To the department, it's like shooting fish in a barrel!
The incentives in this system are all wrong. Our focus should be on actual crimes, not harmless cannabis users. I'd love to know what the Dover PD thinks of this perverse funding scheme while they attempt to combat armed robbery and home invasion on a limited budget.
So the question becomes: how can we effectively deter and prevent violent assaults on campus? As we all have an interest in promoting a safe and open environment on campus for students to pursue their academic passions, we must be willing to alter the way we police this campus.
I propose that UNH police officers, on those busy Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, step out of their scary Dodge Chargers and onto the streets. One wonders if we had more officers walking the beat looking for angry, violent people at night, we could deter some of the dangerous events that occur on campus all too often.
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