SSDP LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN

The University of Rhode Island's chapter of Students for a Sensible
Drug Policy is launching a new campaign in response to the substantial
amount of student arrests being made on campus concerning drug offenses.

SSDP President Dan Rosenkrantz is concerned that students being
arrested for smoking marijuana in the woods on campus is hurting them
more then helping them.

"We understand that it is illegal, [we] just feel the situation isn't
being handled in the best manner," Rosenkrantz said.

Rosenkrantz also feels that the campus police aren't using their
resources in the most effective way.

"It would be more effective if they weren't walking through the woods
looking for students," Rosenkrantz said. "Rather, they should be
monitoring campus at night because it is more of a harm for students
being robbed or hurt then smoking."

Rosenkrantz also noted that being arrested for drug offenses hurts
students academically. Students may miss classes due court
appearances, or have trouble trying to find transportation to and from
court. Also, fines paid for offenses could go toward education.

"Due to the Higher Education Act Drug Provision, students are denied
federal financial aid due to drug convictions," he said. "Between the
court fees and loss of financial aid, students may not be [permitted]
to return to school."

Rosenkrantz said, "It's almost as if they are funneling out of school.
It begins a cycle of being pulled out of the system for a minor
offense, then barred from the system. Where out of the system,
[students] are more likely to get into trouble."

Rosenkrantz discussed the strike system at URI, and how it favors
alcohol to marijuana. While it is only one strike if a student is
caught with alcohol, it is two strikes if they're caught with
marijuana. In regards to this, SSDP is planning to push a harm
reduction stance to inform students how the strike policy potentially
creates more harm.

"It pushed students off campus so they are driving around drunk or
high," Rosenkrantz said.

SSDP is also showing Busted: Citizens Guide to Surviving Police
Encounters, on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Atrium 1. It is a
45-minute film about how to assert your rights when encountered with a
police officer. Afterward, there will be a question and answer session for
anyone who wishes to attend.

"Over 50 percent of arrests are made because people give up their
rights," Rosenkrantz said. "People don't realize that they don't have
to consent to having their car searched by a cop without [probable]
cause."

SSDP is also planning to have speaker Jack Cole visit URI. Cole was a
70s New Jersey narcotics agent from the Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition. He is now advocating legalization of drugs because he
sees that prohibition doesn't work.

"1.5 million drug arrests were in America last year," Rosenkrantz
said. "No matter how many people get arrested, the [problem] probably
wont go away. We just need a better way to deal with the problem. The
first step could be to stop arresting non-violent drug users."

The time and date for Cole's visit will be announced at a later date.