MORE STUDENTS REPORT DRUG USE ON CAMPUS

(U-WIRE) MURRAY, Ky. -- Almost everyone encounters new experiences when
they arrive on a college campus. Often times, marijuana is one of those
experiences.

"It's not a part of everyone's culture, but there are certain
individuals that are going to experiment," said Director of Housing and
Residential Life Paula Hulick.

Much of the experimenting is taking place within the residential
colleges. While a drastic increase in marijuana use in the past few
years has not occurred, marijuana use in the residential colleges is
commonly reported.

Mittie Southerland, interim director of Public Safety, said more
students have reported drug use on campus, which she attributes to
increased awareness.

"Whether people who live in residential colleges are calling us more or
whether there is an actual increase, I don't know; we have had a lot
more calls of suspicion," Southerland said.

When Housing or Public Safety employees receive phone calls about
suspicion of drug use they contact the police.

"An officer would respond to the scene and would determine whether or
not there is probable cause to enter the room," Southerland said. "There
is a variety of different responses depending upon what the
circumstances are."

The circumstances depend on the amount of drugs on the scene, whether
the student is selling the drugs and if it is the student's first
offense. The officer on the scene determines the legality of the
offense, but Murray State University can also take action against the
student as well.

The penalty for having marijuana in a room varies with each incident.
Sometimes smell is the only clue someone used marijuana in a room; no
physical evidence exists. Other times the evidence is apparent.

The University can issue a disciplinary probation, assign community
service or expel students for drug use.

"Community service vs. jail time depends on the court," Southerland
said. "It all depends on who your defense counsel is, how involved you
were and prior history."

But Hulick said drug usage in the residential colleges is relatively
low.

"We really have a good student population," Hulick said. "Our problems
in the whole drug area are very few as compared to (what is reported by)
some of my colleagues at other schools."