<p>Pea, my only contention is that you’ll get “druggies” everywhere. Granted Reed’s reputation is more broadcasted and perhaps its problems with it are graver too, but I know a few people at F&M, and the “partying” culture-drugs, alcohol etc. involved is not muted at all. Drugs are all over. Reed is not an exception, but neither are other colleges. Reed, in fact, is in better position than most because while you may find drugs around you, you’ll never feel the pressure to do them by peers; as a Reedie you should know that the Honor Principle allows for redressals if one ever feels uncomfortable at Reed. </p>
<p>I agree with your point about addiction, but ultimately, how much can a college do? The death two years ago was a wake up call for Reed’s authorities and it is stricter with hard drugs, but to cast blame entirely on it would be incorrect because all these cases of addiction could happen anywhere. It wasn’t because of the college’s “lax policies”, that kids got/get addicted. In fact, some Portlanders have raised concerns that isn’t so much Reed’s problem (sadly only its problems get highlighted by the news media), but drugs are a city-wide problem and there have been a startling number of deaths outside of the Reed community in Portland. Like I said, there are wider social nets to be examined here, and Reed is not entirely blameless, but ultimately it comes down to the individual-even if Reed was draconian with its drug rules, there would be people who’d find a way out. That’s true of every college and not just Reed. However, to perpetuate the Reed “druggie” myth means a lot of people don’t look beyond that, whereas it isn’t so much a problem because even if you’re extremely straight edge you could survive your years at Reed without ever having to consume drugs/alcohol/cigarettes-I know it may not seem believable, but there are several people who do. So, the information is not really needed as “something special”. You can be academically challenged and sober, despite what everyone else might have you believe. </p>
<p>As for tk21769’s solutions, I think the system of universal substance free dormitories are the worst solution to a “drug problem”. If anything, it just exacerbates the issues you’re trying to deal with. I don’t know what other solution there is, but I think the Honor Council and Students for Sensible Drug Policy are on their way to using the Honor Principle as a constructive tool as opposed to a dormant and sometimes destructive one.</p>