CAMPUS OF CANNABIS?

With A Dozen Arrests In Hurt Park This Year On Drug-Related Charges, And
More In The University Village, The Gsu Police Are Beginning To Take Action

The presence of illegal substances on and around Georgia State has
seemingly been on the increase lately, with more arrests being reported by
the GSU Police.

The campus police arrested a man in Hurt Park Nov. 13 when he was allegedly
discovered smoking a marijuana cigarette on the premises.

The suspect was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to
distribute and was also given a criminal trespassing warning (CTW) before
being processed and transported to jail. A criminal history check was also
done prior to arrest with negative results.

According to the report, the suspect was found with approximately 17
baggies individually filled with marijuana, each apparently prepared for
distribution.

Although he was not a student, campus police who patrol the park and its
surrounding areas have reason to believe the park is slowly becoming
Georgia State's hot spot for drugs, or more specifically, for marijuana.

Officer Angela McCoy has been a Crime Prevention Officer with GSU Police
for four years, and says although the presence of drugs in the campus
vicinity is apparent, the regularity of mass distribution such as the case
indicated above is, "not that often."

This was the twelfth drug arrest to occur in Hurt Park this year alone.

McCoy pointed out that the majority of on-campus drug violations consist
mainly of people smoking or possessing marijuana in the University Village,
which only occurs about two or three times a month. In contrast, off-campus
violations have seemed to be more prevalent.

"It's regular in the [Hurt] Park ... there's just something about the
park," said McCoy.

So far this year, the total number of drug incidents on and off campus has
risen over the past few years, from nine in 1998 to 34 this year. Although
that is an alarming increase and may lead some to believe that this
reflects a rapid flood of drugs into the area, that may not necessarily be
the case.

McCoy explained that not all drug incidents are reported because, "a lot of
times we give them a verbal warning." In other words, if a person is found
with a small quantity of marijuana, say a joint or a small bag, "the first
time," McCoy said, "we do give them a chance." They are usually given a
warning and are not allowed back onto the premises. Therefore, she suggests
that the recent increase in reported cases is due to more arrests and fewer
warnings.

This symbolizes increased police recognition of the severity of drugs
(again, more specifically marijuana) on and around campus, and a more
conscious effort to seriously crack down on their possessors.

Of course, the stakes are much higher for students who are charged with any
type of drug violation by the GSU Police. Any student who violates any
federal or state law -- such as the possession, manufacture, or
distribution of illegal drugs -- can be subject not only to local law
enforcement procedure, but to a number of university related actions as
well. These include oral or written warnings, student probation,
suspension, or expulsion, all of which are administered by the Office of
the Dean of Students. Dr. Kurt Keppler heads that office.