Pubdate: Tue, 22 Apr 2003
Source: Daily Collegian (PA Edu)
Copyright: 2003 Collegian Inc.
Contact:  http://www.collegian.psu.edu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/543
Author: Adam Yenser

POLICE ARE ENFORCING COMMONLY BROKEN LAWS

Here's a question for the writer of the letter "Police should focus on 
serious violations" (April 21): What type of student is most likely to 
commit a rape? Probably the one who has been drinking or "harmlessly 
smoking a joint."

I am by no means suggesting that all or even a majority of students who 
engage in these activities will definitely commit more serious violations, 
but statistically alcohol and drug abuse (yes, even marijuana) are often a 
factor in sexual assault cases, not to mention the riots that have led to 
discussion of installing cameras downtown.

Furthermore, it also stands to reason that simply because drug and alcohol 
abuse is more common than rape, police responses to these types of 
violations would occur more often.

I also can't see why the writer sees police enforcement of alcohol and drug 
violations as "impeding on our freedom."

This is the United States of America; you don't have the freedom to drink 
underage or use illegal drugs to begin with.

Students like this would not have to worry about police "harassment" if 
they led moral, law-abiding lives to begin with rather than breaking the 
rules and then trying to justify themselves later. It is people like this 
who give college students a bad name.

Adam Yenser, freshman, astrophysics and astronomy
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MAP posted-by: Jackl