DRUG, ALCOHOL CASES RISE SHARPLY

The Office Of Judicial Affairs Said They Heard 75 Percent More Drug Cases This
Year

Tech students do not seem to be heeding the slogan "you use, you lose," with
drug and alcohol cases rising for both on- and off-campus residents.

The number of drug cases heard by judicial affairs has seen a 75 percent
increase from 2001-2002 to the 2002-2003 school year, while the number of
students involved has risen from 33 to 75, according to the office of judicial
affairs.

Although the exact cause for the increase is not known, the upward trend could
be from a number of things, said Frances Keene, assistant director of the
office of judicial affairs.

"It could be due to a more relaxed attitude about marijuana or an increased
awareness of the policy among (resident advisors), officers and other students
who report fellow student's marijuana use," Keene said.

If caught for using or possessing illegal drugs, students could face a minimum
of a two-semester suspension, along with possible criminal charges.

The university policy is the same for on- and off-campus students, Keene said.

"The drug policy at Virginia Tech is a zero tolerance," Keene said.

Illicit drug cases are not the only substances experiencing a rise.
Alcohol-related situations have also increased.

The total number of alcohol cases, which includes DUIs, drunk in public,
underage possession, and buying alcohol for minors, has experienced an increase
of 14 percent from 700 cases in 2001-2002 to 801 cases in 2002-2003 according
to the office of judicial affairs.

The number of cases does not reflect the number of students because each case
could involve multiple people, Keene said.

"One reason for the increase was the rise in cases resulting from football
games due to the high number of night and weeknight games," Keene said.

A person's privilege to attend events may be suspended if removed from an
athletic event for alcohol-related problems.

A student's first alcohol offense may result in probation and mandatory alcohol
education classes.

Subsequent offenses could result in suspension.

For both illegal drugs and alcohol, on-campus cases were greater than
off-campus.

"(The off-campus cases) typically arise from other complaints, i.e. noise,
drunk-in-public arrests, DUI arrests, etc.," Keene said.

"The on-campus numbers are higher because of the residence hall setting where
rooms are in close proximity to one another."