Pubdate: Wed, 23 Feb 2005
Source: Daily Campus, The (UConn, CT Edu)
Copyright: 2005 ThesDaily Campus
Contact:  http://www.dailycampus.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2778
Author: Elena Gaudino
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?219 (Students for Sensible Drug Policy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Cited: Students for Sensible Drug Policy: www.DAREgeneration.com

NEW DRUG CHAPTER HOPES TO TAKE OFF

Arjona classroom 109 filled up yesterday evening as students gathered 
together for the second official meeting of UConn's chapter of Students for 
Sensible Drug Policy. Members gathered around for one of the group's 
preliminary meetings, discussing ways that would help the new organization 
take off and grow in both numbers and popularity, in order to help the 
student population in a greater way in the long run.

The idea started up last semester between Catherine McKelvey, a 
6th-semester psychology major and the current vice president of the new 
organization, and Dominic Sinopoli, a 6th-semester psychology major and 
president of UConn's Students for Sensible Drug Policy. They were inspired 
to create the group after a guest speaker, Cliff Thornton, spoke vividly 
against the current drug policies in their drugs and society class. Both 
students were enraged with the facts that Thornton made the class aware of 
and decided that not only should their class be informed, but the entire 
student body.

"I just decided to do something about it and step up," Sinopoli said.

According to McKelvey and Sinopoli, the organization recently gained 
university recognition two weeks ago, and has already enlisted thirty 
members and is growing with the help of their advisor, sociology professor 
Clinton Sanders. The group is currently concentrating on gaining 
campus-wide recognition to ensure the success of its agenda.

Both leaders said that a major focus of the group is the education of UConn 
students on current drug policies. They spoke openly on the fact that most 
students, when arrested, are not made aware of their rights or what 
liberties the police have and don't have. McKelvey and Sinopoli both agreed 
that many students are ignorant to the fact that they have a right to deny 
access or information to the authorities in certain situations.

"Students get caught when they aren't aware of their rights . . ." said 
Sean Czellecz, an 8th-semester psychology major, and member of the 
organization. "Cops know that the students aren't aware of their rights 
which makes it easier for police officers to make an arrest."

The members discussed the possibility of a screening of the film "Busted" 
to the student population, which would assist students in learning what 
rights they have.

Another major issue the organization covers is the way arrests and 
punishments are handled.

"One thing is that the punishment doesn't fit the crime," McKelvey said. 
"The drug laws are so draconian and so severe that it ends up punishing 
kids and makes them resent it more than learn from it."

McKelvey described the usual punishment given to drug offenders such as 
many of the student population, as an unnecessary and overall detrimental 
process that places even first time misdemeanor drug offenders alongside 
rapists, molesters, larcenists and murderers.

"It teaches you crime," McKelvey added.

She also described the classroom aspect of the punishment as a guidebook to 
drug use that breeds curiosity.

According to McKelvey and Sinopoli, drug policies go deeper than the idea 
of catching offenders, as the laws incorporate societal and political issues.

"There's a much harsher punishment for getting caught with crack than coke, 
even though crack is watered down coke," McKelvey explained. "It's more of 
an urban thing."

Keeping this fact in mind, both McKelvey and Sinopoli expressed desire in 
working alongside cultural organizations, as the drug laws illustrate a 
discrimination against certain groups in society. They both hope to tie 
links to the Heart House, Safe Rides and PIRG, so as to increase their 
productivity and accessibility to UConn students.

"The problem with UConn is that they don't provide what's needed, like a 
shuttle route on the weekends because they are afraid of appearing to 
encourage partying," Sinopoli said. "Instead, they give their money to the 
police department to crack down on DUI's. Unfortunately, that doesn't solve 
the problem."

This Wednesday the 23rd, Friday the 25th and Monday the 28th, Students for 
Sensible Drug Policy will be at the South Dining Hall between the times of 
4:30 p.m. and six thirty p.m. to display facts, hand out fliers and gain 
identity within the UConn population. The next meeting will be held Tuesday 
evening from six p.m. to seven p.m. in Arjona 109. For more information 
about Students for Sensible Drug Policy, visit www.ssdp.org
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MAP posted-by: Beth