Pubdate: Tue, 20 Feb 2007
Source: Diamondback, The (U of MD Edu)
Copyright: 2007 Diamondback
Contact:  http://www.diamondbackonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/758
Author: Emilie Campbell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

THE OTHER RISKS OF SMOKING

In response to Ari Schreiber's letter to the editor on Feb. 14: In 
incidents as severe as illicit drug use in the dorms, the problem 
does not solely lie in the illegality of marijuana, but also in the 
fact that these individuals are jeopardizing the safety of other 
residents. The dorms are equipped with sensitive sprinkler systems 
that, when set off, flood all the rooms on the individual's floor and 
every floor below. In addition to causing water damage, smoking in a 
dorm room could start fires. Students need to understand they are 
part of a community that includes more than 11,000 residents - 
decisions made by anyone in a dorm can directly affect the safety of 
the masses.

To say these students missed class early in the semester for a court 
date is a moot point. By choosing to violate university and federal 
policies, these individuals brought these charges upon themselves, 
putting their lives and the lives of other residents in danger by 
smoking in their rooms. As college students, we are expected to be 
fully responsible for our own actions and their consequences.

Schreiber's description of police response to marijuana incidents as 
a "gross misuse of police time" is erroneous. As a resident assistant 
who has had to deal with the police on numerous occasions, I can 
assure any doubters that the University Police does not take 
marijuana incidents lightly. They respond quickly and treat each 
situation with the attention it deserves. Situations with the 
"drunken student body ? on Route 1" more directly affect the Prince 
George's County Police; therefore these incidents are not related to 
the safety provided by the University Police on the campus.

Whether you support our legal system, at the current time marijuana 
is an illegal drug, and anyone who uses it and endangers the lives of 
others is a "real criminal."

Emilie Campbell

Sophomore

Government and politics