FEAR AND LOATHING IN REZ

In residence, drugs are pervasive, but not predominant

For students who live in residences, entering the University
represents more than an additional four years of learning.

It marks the departure from one's home and, accordingly, from all
parent-enforced rules and prohibitions. In residence, students can
abandon their sleep schedules, laundry cycles, and - more dramatically
- - inhibitions toward drugs.

So it comes as no surprise that McGill's residence network is dense
with drug use. In addition to drinking, many students casually engage
in the recreational use of weed - Montreal's third most accessible
drug, behind caffeine and alcohol.

And all-nighters are widely facilitated by the use of "study drugs"
such as Adderall and Ritalin, which reportedly improve students'
ability to concentrate. More interesting, however, is how each of
McGill's residences - distant from each other not only in terms of
geography, but in socioeconomic class and architecture - develop their
own, distinct drug cultures.

Take New Residence and Carrefour Sherbrooke, coincidentally the most
expensive residences to live in at McGill. Though weed is no more
common there than elsewhere, the two are distinguished by their
students' casual use of more expensive drugs like MDMA and cocaine,
often consumed before outings. In the words of one New Residence
occupant: "Weed transcends groups and is most common with guys. I'd
say [MDMA and cocaine] are more prevalent with girls, in relation to
going out to clubs and other events.

Coke is more for 'rich kids.'" In contrast, at MORE houses - the most
affordable of McGill residences - cocaine use was not mentioned at all
by students interviewed.

But where the relative cost of each residence informed the types of
drugs students would consume, their distinct architectures and layouts
had an impact on how drug use integrated itself into student life. In
smaller residences - or floors where bedroom doors don't automatically
shut - it's much easier for students to gather around and collectively
partake in drug use. In residences where doors automatically swing
shut (New Residence, Carrefour Sherbrooke, and Greenbriar come to
mind), students have more difficulty finding people to do drugs with
and eventually, drug use can end up confined to certain rooms or floors.

Although drug use may be more concentrated in McGill residences than
other sectors of society, in the absolute, the rate of drug use is
still fairly small - participation is certainly not universal.

One Douglas occupant estimated that the number of frequent drug users
in his residence was limited to about 15 or 20 students.

Out of 180, that would translate into a maximum of 11 per cent - not a
particularly disquieting figure.

But even among more frequent users, one gets the overall impression
that students do not let drugs interfere with their academic life. No
one is dropping acid in the morning and proceeding onto a magical
mystery tour to class; rather, most students restrict drug use to
weekends, in safe environments, with groups of people they trust.

According to one residence floor fellow, who wished to remain
anonymous, "grey zone" is a term commonly used when dealing with drug
consumption. During training, floor fellows are told that drugs are
prohibited and immediately pass the message onto their students.

However, as one floor fellow said, "We know the rules, but we also
know the reality" - the reality being that some students, regardless
of the rules, will choose to do drugs. So many floor fellows simply
opt to treat students as fellow adults, capable of making their own
decisions.

Only when a floor fellow can smell or see marijuana being used or a
student complains will there be an intervention. Otherwise,
assumptions are not made.

"We would rather develop a relationship with our students in which
they can trust us," said the floor fellow explaining a decision which
in turn creates a space for open discussion, and the chance for
residents to have good relationships with their floor fellows.

Many students are comfortable enough with their floor fellows to be
honest about casual drug use. Strong concern is only expressed when
students are engaging in heavier drugs.

Floor fellows encourage students not to use them alone, and in the
event that they do, they are suggested to notify them of what drugs
they're planning on doing via notes in closed envelopes, so floor
fellows can be prepared to react in case of emergency.

Furthermore, if these drugs are found in a student's possession, there
are severe consequences.

Overall, while McGill's policy aims to be realistic, it is not far
outside the boundaries of enforced drug laws with an emphasis on
students' general safety. Despite the assumptions the McGill community
may have specifically about drug culture in residences, most
first-year students would agree about the fact that residence is a
place where everyone is respected and feels safe. In other words, a
good place to make mistakes in.