The University’s Division of Public Safety released the Annual Security revealed that drug-related cases are on the rise.
According to the report, 92 drug-related arrests were made in 2009, while 90 were made in 2010. But one year later, drug-related arrests increased to 134 cases in 2011. Of those 134, 95 happened on campus, with 28 in residence halls and six off campus, and 33 arrests occurring on public property. In 2011, 218 drug cases resulted in a judicial referral, 73 more than in 2010 and 127 more than in 2009. University police Lt. Tony Brown said that although the overall number of arrests went up, the arrests made on public property decreased.
Brown said the arrests made on drug abuse violations are just one small part of the department’s mission.
Detective Joe McCullough of the University police investigates drug violations and follows up cases. He said the department is putting a lot of effort into drug enforcement.
McCullough trains University housing staff members every year to make sure they can detect drug usage in residence halls by examining student behavior.
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He added that drug arrests are most common between October and November and between March and April, but he was not sure why.
“We are also looking at the (student) behaviors and stuff like that, especially with the new drug trends, such as the synthetic drugs on the market,” he said.
McCullough said it is also important to follow up on cases in addition to enforcing anti-drug policies.
“The other thing we have been doing is working evening hours with our unit to be out on times where there are the most narcotics violations,” he said. “We work hands on with our uniformed officers.”
The report said the University will promote accurate information on drug use, encourage healthy behaviors and work with campus leaders to avoid drug-related arrests.
Mary Russell, coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Office, said she encourages students to take a look at the report, which was released Friday, and take advantage of services provided by the University.
“There are really good safety tips within the report itself,” Russell said. “I would also suggest that students think about utilizing SafeWalks. The attention to housing safety of our campus is very coordinated and very, very solid.”
Carina can be reached at [email protected]
