Pubdate: Thu, 14 Sep 2000 Source: Badger Herald (WI) Copyright: 2000 Badger Herald Address: 326 W. Gorham St., Madison WI, 53703 Fax: (608) 257-6899 Feedback: http://www.badgerherald.com/about/contact_staff.shtml Website: http://www.badgerherald.com/ Author: Eileen Boyce MADISON POLICE SAY THEY WILL TAKE STUDENT MARIJUANA USE SERIOUSLY As another school year starts, so begins the thrill of the Madison party scene, which often involves the use of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs. It is a party scene, according to Madison police, that should not be taken lightly. While marijuana usage has continuously been a problem in Madison, marijuana-related arrests are not primarily student-related, said Lt. Bill Housley of the Dane County narcotics unit. Despite arrests records, Housley and the Madison Police Department are still very concerned with the potential dangers marijuana and other controlled substances can bring to the UW-Madison campus area. Madison police have a particular concern this academic year with a new and much higher grade of marijuana being grown in Dane County. Lt. Housley said most marijuana arrests in Madison are possession arrests, but that distribution of high-grade marijuana that remains the department's biggest concern. "The current grade of marijuana is a more potent and dangerous strain than grown in the past," Housley said. However, many UW students do not view marijuana use as a significant problem. "I don't feel that marijuana use is problematic on this campus, although I'm not in an environment where it is prevalent or frequently used," said one UW junior who preferred to remain anonymous. The more potent strain of marijuana, as with any controlled substance, introduces potentially dangerous situations and may lead to the use of more serious drugs. The Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force reported 350 drug arrests of all types between January and July. Reports have also documented homicides and sexual assaults in connection with marijuana. "The level of impairment marijuana creates is its most lethal component," said Housley.. Many students said they do not think of marijuana as a dangerous drug. "I believe most students use marijuana because it is a type of high that is different from alcohol, but not as addicting or serious as a drug like cocaine," said another UW student who preferred to remain anonymous. "I think many students believe it is a perfect medium." A UW sophomore, who wished to remain anonymous, agreed that marijuana use on campus is not taken to dangerous levels. "I think those who use marijuana on campus do not do so to a dangerous extent," he said. "I've never really thought of it as a dangerous drug." Despite this belief, many health agencies and the MPD report many serious drug habits begin with marijuana use. Although UW students and Madison police officers do not share the same views on the problem of marijuana, Madison police hope students realize the potential hazards of not only marijuana, but also of alcohol and other drugs throughout the school year. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart