Housing Pros

Addressing Marijuana Issues in Residence Halls

By Michael Griest, Residence Coordinator and Alcohol Educator, Wittenberg University

"I smoked dope twice. It made me too sleepy. It's not fun. I'm spending my life trying to have energy and stay awake. Why am I gonna do something to go to sleep?"
—Julia Roberts

Even though I agree with Julia, unfortunately not all of our students do.

We have all been in the unfortunate situation of receiving a call from an RA who reports a suspicious smell coming from a room upstairs. They think it may be marijuana but it could just be incense or cigars or who knows what else. By the time you throw on your shoes and make it upstairs the smell has faded and by the time security arrives, you can’t even tell what room the smell came from. You can knock on every door in the hall and find nothing. Another golden opportunity to rid your hall of marijuana has passed right? In my opinion, a golden opportunity for education has just presented itself.

Assessing the Problem

More than 40% of the students you work with tried marijuana at least one time before they came to college. If you think that statistic is scary, in a recent survey almost half of the high school seniors contacted believed that marijuana wasn’t really that harmful. In fact, most of them believed tobacco and alcohol were far more dangerous drugs. Since most people receive their marijuana education from the media, peers or legalization propaganda, misperceptions about the drug abound. A key to any successful marijuana education project is dispelling the common myths that make students feel marijuana is a safe recreational drug. Listed below are some common myths your students may have about marijuana and how you can address them.

Myth #1: Marijuana never killed anybody.

While it is nearly impossible to over dose on marijuana, the effects of the cancer causing smoke and temporary impairment can definitely be fatal. One joint contains four times as many cancer causing chemicals and toxins as a single tobacco cigarette. There are significant links between even occasional marijuana use and head, neck and lung cancers, as well as heart attacks and suicide. If you aren’t affected by those risks, how about the fact that drivers under the affect of marijuana caused 16,000 deaths and 45 billion in costs to society last year. More than 87,000 admitted that injuries that sent them to the emergency room last year were related to their marijuana use.

Myth #2: Marijuana mellows me out and helps me deal with my stress.

The mellow feeling people get from smoking up is temporary, but the long-term affects are more permanent. A recent study has shown that marijuana-using teens are more likely to destroy property or physically attack other teens than non-users. Data from countless studies also shows that college aged marijuana users get lower grades than non-users. Then, consider the stress and wasted resources spent, buying, hiding and covering up your marijuana use. If you consider being in trouble with college officials or law enforcement while your slowly failing out of college and can’t find employment because of drug testing to be low stress, then by all means go for it!

Prolonged use of marijuana can lead to Amotivational Syndrome, which is characterized, by severe apathy, diminished communication skills and an inability to focus on any thing but the present. It is not easily treated and is often misunderstood by counselors. Sure, you’re mellow for the rest of your life, but at what cost?

Myth #3 Marijuana is not addictive; I can stop anytime I want.

As with alcohol and other drugs, not everyone that uses marijuana gets addicted, but the possibility is very real. Over time, people who use marijuana compulsively develop a tolerance that leads them to need more and more of the drug. When they try to cut back or quit using marijuana, they develop withdrawal symptoms much like those associated with people trying to quit smoking. Since THC (the chemical in marijuana that causes a high) is fat soluble instead of water soluble, the toxins are stored in the body longer, making withdrawal symptoms even worse. Marijuana sends more college aged students to rehab centers than any other drug, including alcohol. A recent study of adolescents in drug treatment facilities found that more than 75% were dependent on marijuana. Of those 75%, all of them said that their marijuana use had led them to try other stronger drugs.

Myth #4 Everyone uses marijuana once in awhile.

Although marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States, less than 8% of the total population have used marijuana in the last month and less than 15% have used it in the last year. Even in countries like Holland where marijuana is legal, only about 25% of the population identifies themselves as regular users. Your institution may have survey results on alcohol and drug use on campus available. If none are available use national averages that are widely available on the Internet. Check out social norm campaigns that educate students about the fact that in most instances, perceptions on the amount of partying on campus are much higher than actual practices. Use these statistics to educate students about actual use on your campus. I have listed some great websites where you can find even more information at the end of this article.

Addressing Marijuana Use

Okay, so now we know the myths about marijuana and some great information to share with students who are lucky enough to speak with one on one, but what about the residence hall floor I mentioned at the beginning of the article? One thing I consistently hear from Residence Hall Staff is that we never seem to reach the students who need the information the most. How can we get the people who are using marijuana to see the light? Some great ideas are listed below.

1). Invite the opposition.

Almost every major city and a fair amount of minor ones have chapters of the National Organization for the Repeal of Marijuana Legislation (NORML). Invite them to speak in tandem with local law enforcement, health care officials or campus substance abuse experts. NORML sponsors events like the Million Marijuana March, 420 Parties and hemp legalization legislation. Despite all of this, their literature clearly states that marijuana can be a dangerous drug and should be regulated like alcohol and tobacco. Be sure that both sides know that the other will be involved so there are no surprises.

2.) Hit them where they live.

Passive programming is one of your best tools when confronting marijuana issues in residence halls. Design a flyer that addresses marijuana myths and keep copies in your drawer. When an RA tells you that they are experiencing that familiar strange smell, have them place the flyers on the floor or door in question. You can do the same thing with stock bulletin boards, door tags or anything else you can think of to tape up in your halls. I keep ready made information packs with brochures and literature in my filing cabinet on all kinds of issues including marijuana. If my staff hears a rumor about marijuana use, they slide the packet under the person’s door. The residents get great information and a reminder that we know what’s going on.

3.) Create an education army.

Educate your students who do come to programs not only on the dangers of marijuana but how to identify and confront people who use it. Empowering students to report the illegal behavior and hold their peers responsible may be the most powerful tools we can use to curb marijuana use. Develop a brochure educating them on how to report marijuana use to college officials or get help for an addicted friend and leave it in lounges or outside your office door. Be sure to tell students how they can make an anonymous tip when faced with difficult situations. Until students send a clear message that marijuana is not welcome in their hall, education will make little difference.

Conclusion

Marijuana education is not an exact science and everything I have shared in this article is merely a suggestion. Since no two campuses, let alone residence halls are the same, you will have to design educational activities and campaigns that work best for you. Check out the resources for yourself and remember to be persistent and relentless in your efforts. Every suspicious smell can be a golden opportunity to change your community.

Suggested Web Sites

About the Author

Michael is in his first year as a residence coordinator and alcohol educator at Wittenberg University. This is his 4th year in the field with previous experience in residence life and alcohol education at Baldwin-Wallace College. He has an M Ed in Adult Learning and Development from Cleveland State and is a Certified BACCHUS/GAMMA Peer Educator and Instructor. He has won several awards for alcohol, drug and safer sex programming including a 2000 Outstanding National Program Award from BACCHUS/GAMMA for “Don’t Let Your Life Go to Pot”, a passive education campaign against marijuana use.

You can contact Michael directly at mgriest@wittenberg.edu