POLL: Should N.J. colleges evict students for drugs?

“Zero Tolerance” is the drug policy Rowan University has put in effect to deal with students who could possibly be facing a first time drug offense – meaning, in effect, they would be evicted from campus housing if caught with an illegal substance – and dealt with by the police.

Sounds harsh – no? After all, the policy's in the handbook; and as college students, they should know the rules.

So in answer to this, a group of Rowan students staged a “Box City” type protest to demonstrate how foolish they feel the policy is – by acting out a scenario where they feel the college is leaving them “homeless!”

According to this from nj.com:

"This whole event is our students standing in solidarity with students who have gotten evicted," Lisa Tischio, president of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy club at Rowan University said last week. "We are saying that what the university is doing when evicting students is essentially leaving them homeless, so we're sleeping outside in solidarity with them."

Ok, so let’s see. I understand that should a student overdose on an illegal substance – or for that matter a legal one – albeit gotten through illegal means (underage drinking) – the University might be held liable.

The campus wishes to promote a drug free environment – even though the method for enforcing that is to evict a student from housing should they be caught with illegal substances - even for a first time offense.

This policy is a part of Rowan's zero tolerance drug policy, according to Joe Cardona, vice president of University Relations at Rowan University.

He said,

"Students can find all of the information about the university's drug policy in the student handbook," said Cardona. "It clearly states the level of punishment for each type of crime including drug possession or use in on-campus housing."

Zero tolerance policies are a “one size fits all” approach. Each situation is different – and while I feel the approach is harsh – perhaps something more reasonable would be appropriate.

For instance, since the University offers resources to students who have a drug problem or may be caught for the first time, why not make those resources available to them?

Whatever they are.

First time offenders generally get a break. Even Governor Christie believes that those who fall deserve a second chance.

After that, if you get caught, either call mom and dad, or get your box ready!

What say you?