Pubdate: Fri, 05 Oct 2007
Source: Diamondback, The (U of MD Edu)
Copyright: 2007 Diamondback
Contact:  http://www.diamondbackonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/758
Author: Stacia Cosner
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1140/a08.html

SSDP: USE DISCRETION

Yesterday, The Diamondback reported that Students for Sensible Drug
Policy is "asking resident assistants not to immediately call police
or write students up if they smell or suspect drug use" ("With no-go
on ResLife, SSDP targets RAs," Oct. 4). Varied misconceptions about
our motives have been the largest contributors to the hindrance of our
progress toward the ultimate goal of more reasonable and fair
punishments for students caught with marijuana. I'd like to briefly
clarify that the terminology in the article may have suggested a
different goal than what we are aiming for.

According to the Department of Resident Life, RAs do have the
discretion to refrain from calling the police, and our letter to the
RAs simply encouraged them to exercise that discretion. However, our
intent was not to encourage RAs to break university policy and risk
losing their jobs by refusing to write students up.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if RAs with good consciences begin
to lose their sense of smell, given the overly harsh penalties the
university imposes upon students caught with small amounts of
marijuana. SSDP will continue to do everything in our power to insert
some sensibility into our university drug policies.

Stacia Cosner

Junior Communication

President, Students for Sensible Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin