Baylor U. Officials Note Rise in Use of Marijuana

WACO, Texas Baylor officials have recently expressed concerns regarding the
use of drugs on campus. "We are concerned about illicit, illegal [drug]
use," said Dr. Jimmy McCluskey, dean of student development and services.
"It is on the rise."

Marijuana is the most-used illicit drug. According to the Health Education
and Wellness Office, marijuana was once thought of as a religious drug. It
causes euphoria, sensory distortion, increased heart rate and increased
appetite.

"I would say it seems to be fairly prevalent," said Dr. Glenn Pack,
director of counseling services. "From what I've heard, if a person's
interested enough, they can find it."

Some students have reportedly tried to grow their own marijuana. On Sept.
20, a Penland Residents Hall freshman was arrested and charged with
marijuana possession.

McCluskey said he deals with about 12 to 20 marijuana-related cases per
year, but he is aware that there are many other cases that go undiscovered.

"Looking at national statistics, 40 percent of college students experiment
. . . I'm not na-ve," McCluskey said.

Pack said he agreed cases might go unreported.

"It's readily available out there," he said. "The students probably know
more about it than I do."

Pack said marijuana is sometimes more readily available than alcohol.

According to the student handbook, "Baylor University policy prohibits the
unlawful manufacture, possession, use, sale, transfer, or purchase of a
controlled substance or designer drug on or off the campus. Anyone
violating these policies is subject to disciplinary action ranging from
censure to expulsion."

McCluskey said disciplinary action depends on each case. Generally, drug
trafficking is punished by suspension. Drug use is punished by probation
for the rest of the student's career at Baylor, the possibility of random
drug tests, mandatory drug education and counseling.

Use in the dorm results in eviction without refund.

"I just dealt with two or three cases related to [dorm evictions],"
McCluskey said.

Andrea King, student outreach coordinator, said marijuana has become more
potent than it was in the 1960s. She said LSD might be added to give the
marijuana a stronger effect.

She said students might try marijuana for different reasons. "Stress,
escape problems, recreation, just to try it out to see what happens," she
said.