Nearly 100 students at San Diego State arrested in drug bust

[LAGator]

Well, this isn't the first time that something like this has happened. I can think of similar busts that go back 20 years or so.

As pro-legalization as I am, I'm also the first to admit that anyone who puts hard drugs into his/her body is a booger-eatin' moron. Marijuana is a different issue, but sadly, it is still illegal and really has nothing to do with lifetime fitness. Plus a conviction or plea of no contest can leave an irrevocable blemish on an otherwise exemplary academic record. Felony is a bad, *bad* word whn it comes to one's future.

And I'm sure that we'll see the same sort of event occur in a year or so. Drug pushers love Skippy McCollegekid and his buddies 'cuz 1. they have plenty of money and 2. they won't try to rob or kill the dealer during a transaction.

My guess is that most of the students involved come from families with enough money to hire good legal defense. I'd also guess that a lot of the kids involved - provided they don't have prior convictions - will plead no contest to a minor charge and go the fine, probation, community service route.

I'm happy that the majority of students are smart enough to stay away from this lifestyle.

[munchkin3590]

"Among those arrested were 75 students, some of them working toward criminal justice or homeland security degrees. One criminal justice major was charged with possession of guns and cocaine, authorities said."

guess they'll have to join the military instead.

No, mini, they couldn't get away with that ***** in the military. Not with frequent random drug testing...

The whole marijuana debate is silly really. Personally, I don't smoke it, because I'd like to get a job in the state department one day. When they ask "have you ever used marijuana" it's easier to not need to lie. But, I know a lot of people who do use it. It's no more dangerous than alcohol. If you are an alcoholic, it messes with your mind, your body, everything, and the same goes for marijuana, but in moderation, beer and weed are both fine.

Galoisien, you might be interested to know that your little factoid about how marijuana is a xenophobic invention of the US government is a complete urban legend, no doubt invented by someone in the middle of a high.
Online Etymology Dictionary

[Hunt]

I think mini means that the military will take them despite their convictions. A huge percentage of current recruits require waivers of criminal records.

[coureur]

>>Just think: if the drug bust was done before May 1st, the SDSU waitlist would surely be eliminated, with all the parents rerouting the kids to other "safer" schools.<<

I heard the school president being interviewed on the San Diego NPR station this morning, and they asked him about the unfortunate timing of the bust - just as students are picking their colleges. And he said the timing couldn't be helped. They had to do the right thing. They had a mess on their hands and had to clean it up.

>>I'm sorry to say this because I like being nice to everyone but SDSU is a terrible place to go to school (unless maybe you're doing business) and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.<<

Hold on. One of the smartest scientists in my company went to college at SDSU. From there she got her Ph.D. at UC Santa Barbara and is now one of the top scientists in her field. I'd say going to SDSU worked out wonderfully for her.

[coolweather]

Back in the 80s, I heard some people making a joke saying SDSU means Sex and Drug State University. But I knew that was unfair because my friend's kid graduated from SDSU and was accepted to at least 3 Ivy graduate schools. I also have friends graduated from SDSU and they all have good career. Today SDSU is a lot better than 2 decades ago. The college has more new buildings and resources. It is unfair to use yesterday's incident to bash SDSU students.

[cptofthehouse]

It depends on what part of the military. If it is an oversubscribed branch with too many candidates, a drug record could take you out. If it's for the next tour to Iraq or Afghanistan, welcome.

[cptofthehouse]

I've known a number of SD students and they don't seem any different from anyone else. The graduates, the same. From what I've been hearing, the school has become quite hot these days, and I don't mean from the bust or the drugs.

[Tammy Bear]

These students' actions are stunningly stupid. . .and such a sad waste of potential. But I wish the news reports showed a little perspective. . .there are over 28,000 undergrads at San Diego State, I don't think anyone can imagine that the crimes of the 100 students arrested are typical of the student body.

[coolweather]

Tammy - Exactly. And look at Gore's kid and Bush's kids. They went to top schools and had the same problem. And past and present presidential candidates...

I wish the state of CA cut the lower end of students so that the serious students can be more served.

[galoisien]

That's the bare minimum.

I'm speaking as a skeptical citizen *questioning* the current laws.

I was not aware that there was a law in effect stating that in order to question drug laws, you had to hold a PhD in some sort of biological science.

So please, get off your high horse and address the problem as a citizen. I am only using citizen knowledge, which perhaps is too vulgar for you.

[galoisien]

That's the bare minimum.

I'm speaking as a skeptical citizen *questioning* the current laws.

I was not aware that there was a law in effect stating that in order to question drug laws, you had to hold a PhD in some sort of biological science.

So please, get off your high horse and address the problem as a citizen. I am only using citizen knowledge.

[galoisien]

Galoisien, you might be interested to know that your little factoid about how marijuana is a xenophobic invention of the US government is a complete urban legend, no doubt invented by someone in the middle of a high.

invention != promotion

Quite a difference.

The proper name is cannabis. If you want a slang/common term, weed/pot are fine.

No one who actually does the stuff calls it marijuana. It is analogous to an exonym.

[Don't flash the etymonline card at me -- I checked it way before you did.]

[Aztec09]

galosien-

the fact is you are just as bad buying into this garbage. If you think that marijuana is a good thing...then by all means, smoke it up.

Your initial response is what we like to call the Straw man argument. You picked the weakest part of my argument (the etymology of marijuana) and tried to make my claim less credible.

Point is they call it dope for a reason...

[LAGator]

OK, just read a couple of news articles on this story. Part of a couple listed something about - "they weren't picky about who they sold to." No wonder they got busted in grand fashion - a true professional is very selective about who he/she associates with re: illegal activity.

As for drug use and the military, a lot depends on the branch, type of service, component, supply & demand, etc. E.g., the Army will sometimes waiver a single adult felony for enlistment - but you can forget about that for the Air Force or Coast Guard. And I believe that any illegal drug use will keep one out of a service academy. And I'm also fairly sure that the manufacture, sale, distribution, etc. of any illegal substance is a total no-go for any branch or component of the US military.

Regarding drug testing and the military, a lot depends on the unit commander, individual in question, and the unit's mission. Some tests are random, some are not. Consequences can range from the Six, six, and a kick followed by the Big Chicken Dinner to a couple of weeks in correctional custody, a fine, then deployment downrange with the rest of the unit.

[mam1959]

Son of Opie - there are some policy arguments in favor of legalizing marijuana - but they have nothing to do with the facts of this case. These students are in trouble over both cocaine and guns - hardly a combination that is easy to assert as harmless. Your reflexive reaction to marijuana is just that - reflexive - and is probative of nothing as to this event.

I am also often astounded at marijuana apologists. I can see in arguing for legalization one can argue in favor of its non-addictive propensities and its relative lack of harm compared to "harder" drugs - particularly if the comparison is slam dunk easy - such as comparing PCP (which I would think no one sane would recommend be legalized) to marijuana. And one can assert that the costs of enforcement outweigh the benefits. But so often apologists bleed into exalting the virtues of marijuana. No one rational should applaud the benefits of smoking anything - neither should they trivialize the gateway nature of the drug - and neither should they ignore that in a minority of the population some users become highly dependent on the drug - destroying motivation and in essence in many cases making them dependent on others for support. Burnouts are humorous in their teens and twenties - and incredibly sad as time goes on. Yes, it is the case that some of the same externalities get overlooked with tobacco and alcohol - but public health shouldn't be a race to the bottom that starts by looking in a relativistic sense at other harmful behaviors.