Norwich students talk about school drug culture

By Matthew E. Harlow
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Some college students play video games for fun. Others do outdoor activities, such as hiking, running or sports. Some Norwich students, however, decide that the best use of their recreational time is to "get high."

"I've done acid, heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, mushrooms, but I really just like to smoke weed," said Joe, a Norwich University senior, who asked that his real name be withheld.

Many Norwich students such as Joe, who said they habitually use illegal drugs, also claim to have no fear of getting caught by university officials or police.

"As a matter of fact I'm high right now," Joe said. "I smoked about 10 minutes before you got here."

Some said they do it because they feel as if it is "an out," but they added that they don't feel that it is an addiction to the drug itself.

"I just usually ride around with friends every now and then because we're bored and smoke some weed," said Travis, who asked that his real name be withheld. "We go to a school where they don't offer us anything better to do, and if they do, it feels like it's a big high school event. It feels good to drive around, get high, and laugh with your friends about nothing. You need that at a place like this."

Joe said that his drug use began when he was 14, when he followed the example of his older brother and his friends.

"I just wanted to see what it was like and why everyone was doing it," Joe said.

Lauren, another NU student who commented on condition of anonymity, tells a surprising story of her first experience with drug use.

"The first time I smoked weed it was with my friend's mother," Lauren said. "She smoked us up, and I loved it."

Many of the students interviewed said that they smoke marijuana every day. They claimed that they smoke marijuana due to boredom and to "amuse themselves" in a small town such as Northfield, and on a small conservative campus, such as Norwich University.

For those who make a habit of doing drugs, the perception is that drug use is common at the school.

"Being a military school, I'd say about 70 percent of the students here do some sort of drug," Joe said. "I don't know that for sure, but I hear stories on people with rank that even do it in the corps. A lot of the people I hang out with do drugs, mostly just smoking weed."

Some members of the corps claimed to have been under the influence of drugs at university social events, where they claim officials didn't even realize that they were high.

"There was one time about 15 of us went to one of the balls on ecstasy, and it was great," Evan said. "We where out there dancing, and I even danced with one of the commandant's wives. When I was done, I challenged the commandant to a dance off, but he declined with a smile."

Joe and others claim that the majority of their drug-spending money is used for marijuana, but occasionally they will spend the extra cash for designer drugs. Depending on what drugs he buys, Joe said he spends around $50 a week.

"I love ecstasy and do that whenever I can get my hands on it," Joe said.

Fear of getting caught is not something many of the students interviewed seemed concerned with either.

"I only buy off the people that I know are reliable, and I don't sell it," said Evan, another NU senior who asked that his real name not be used. "I usually buy it off people I know in town, but every now and then there are people that I know that go home to the cities and get the stuff and bring back up here."

Overdosing, another potential danger of drug use, is also not a concern in these students' minds. Most claim to know their body's natural tolerances.

"You have to know your limit when you're doing a drug, and I never take it too far," Joe said. "I know what my body can and can't handle. If there is a drug that isn't as disgusting as sticking a needle in your arm and can get you as high, I'd probably try it. But once again, I know my limit of what my body can handle."

Joe said that he had tried heroin once, but wouldn't do it again for fear of getting addicted.

"I know it's dangerous," said Joe.

Many of them have thought about stopping, but as of right now it will stay a thought and only that; they don't feel it is a problem right now and like it too much.

"I thought about quitting weed and other drugs, but I like to experience it right now," Evan said. "Weed is the drug that I use the most, and that doesn't hurt you; you can't overdose on it, and I love it.

"I'm going to keep smoking every day; maybe I'll quit someday, but I'm not going to do it right now," Evan said.

For others, the thought of quitting simply doesn't enter their mind.

"I'm going to smoke until I die," Lauren said. "I mean, there is nothing better to do in this town except get high."

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