TWO FACE DRUG CHARGES AFTER MIT STUDENT'S DEATH

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Reuters) - Police brought drug charges Friday
against a student and a recent graduate of the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology after another MIT student died earlier this week after
inhaling nitrous oxide.

Susan Mosher, a senior at the prestigious university, and Rene Ruiz,
who graduated from MIT with a degree in economics earlier this year,
each face charges of possession with intent to distribute nitrous
oxide, hallucinogenic mushrooms, amphetamines and marijuana, MIT
Police Chief Anne Glavin told reporters.

The two, who face arraignment in Cambridge District Court on Sept. 10,
also were charged with conspiracy related to the drug activity, and
with cruelty to animals. Glavin declined to elaborate on the cruelty
charge, which involved a cat.

Richard Guy, a 22-year-old junior physics major from Mission Viejo,
Calif., was found dead in Mosher's East Campus dormitory room early
Tuesday morning, police said. He had been inhaling nitrous oxide, also
known as laughing gas, from a plastic bag, police said.

Guy's death hit hard on a campus where two years ago freshman Scott
Krueger died of alcohol poisoning after a night of drinking at a
fraternity house.

MIT President Charles Vest, who recalled meeting Guy when he was a
freshman, said the student's death ``is a grim reminder of so many
other needless deaths throughout the country, every year, of young
people who involve themselves with drugs.''

Glavin said the police investigation is ongoing, and more charges
could be brought against other people. She refused to comment on the
extent of any drug-dealing operation involving the two suspects.

``We possess substantial evidence to support these charges,'' Glavin
said, adding the two will not be charged in Guy's death. She said
police had no evidence to suggest anyone else was in the room with Guy
when he died.