Issue date: 3/4/09 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Evan Andrews [Click to enlarge]

College is a time for experimentation. For most students, it provides the first taste of freedom from the restrictions and rules of parents. The opportunity to explore drugs and alcohol has led many a student away from experimenting, though, and down a path of destructive excess. Hence society's "War on Drugs," a unified state and federal effort to educate citizens and prevent illegal drugs from falling into the hands of curious college students. In College Station, this war is more of a police action, as the majority of drug-related law enforcement in 2006 focused on minor marijuana violations, according to reported offenses and incidents.

In late January, police launched an operation in the Bryan side of the Northgate District. The Drug Enforcement Team, Direct Deployment Team, Neighborhood Enforcement Team, K9 Unit and the Tactical Response Team performed a search warrant on Bryan resident Patrick Brazzell's apartment because of various complaints about quality of life issues. The raid yielded little more than four ounces of marijuana and a loaded .45 caliber handgun.

Although touted as a "great catch" by The Eagle, a Bryan-College Station newspaper, because of the drugs being packaged for distribution, it must be pointed out that compared to other busts, the amount confiscated is ridiculously miniscule. To put things into perspective, Brazzell faces up to two years in prison for the drugs, but 10 years for violating his parole by possessing a firearm.

Thanks to the amount of effort placed into these raids through the cooperation of the various teams, and the enthusiastic response of citizens, drugs are not a large problem in
College Station.

According to Department of Justice statistics on the number of marijuana related arrests per 100,000 residents, College Station ranks 10 percent to 15 percent lower than the national average. With very few arrests for marijuana-related offenses and almost no hard drugs, it is easy to wonder if the benefits of removing four ounces, valued at perhaps $500, is worth the money it costs the taxpayer to run a sting.

Instead of seeing drug users in College Station as dangerous addicts and dealers, a more accurate view of most is that they are experimenting college students. In College Station, at least, it would seem that the "War on Drugs" amounts to little more than a misdirected "Skirmish against Marijuana."

Considering that decriminalization has started across the world, and the high cost of performing busts and stings, city government should consider whether this is a battle really worth fighting.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools