Pubdate: Wed, 01 Feb 2012
Source: Globe, The (PA Edu)
Contact: http://www.pointparkglobe.com/editor
Copyright: 2012 The Globe
Website: http://www.pointparkglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5323
Author: Celeste Begandy

UNIVERSITY SHOULDN'T INFLUENCE STUDENTS ON POLITICAL ISSUES

The Lawrence Hall second-floor hallway is a commonly traveled route. 
Whether students are hurrying to class or strolling to the Point 
Cafe, it serves as a showcase for many advertisements pertaining to 
Point Park University. Movie-poster sized ads are encased along the 
walls, relaying information for student activities or upcoming 
deadlines. Last week, one poster stood out from the others.

Themed with black and green type and a translucent image of a 
marijuana leaf, the blown-up poster from Alcohol and Other Drug 
Education hung in the hallway for a few days. Coincidentally, the 
poster seemed to appear around the time that The Globe reported the 
increase of drug use among Point Park students. "Legalize marijuana?" 
it stated in all capital letters. "It's a plant, so it's natural, right?"

As a student who has sat through high school health classes, 
anti-drug assemblies and has seen the affects of drug abuse 
second-hand, I felt insulted by the poster's valley girl tone. Not 
only did I find the advertisement ineffective and juvenile but also 
threatening because of the political message the university 
sponsored. Whether this was considered or not, marijuana stands as 
more than a health issue.

My initial reaction was not concern for the facts the poster 
preached. "Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals, including most 
of the harmful substances found in tobacco," was the first one, 
underlining "400 chemicals" as if to achieve some sort of shock from 
readers. I have heard all of these reasons before. The validity of 
these statements is not my argument. However, it doesn't hurt to 
mention that none of the facts listed on the poster, two of which 
started out with variations of "studies show," had citations. My 
response stuck with the first and last words of the poster: "Legalize 
marijuana? Think again."

Legalizing marijuana is a political issue that has been on the radar 
for decades. CBS News reported that government action against 
marijuana was taken when Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act of 
1937, or "the first step toward a complete federal prohibition." 
Oftentimes, a smoky haze of dumfounded hippies protesting against the 
old fogy suits is a stereotypical image of what comes to mind. In 
this modern age, pro-marijuana activists include doctors and 
politicians. Gary Johnson, former Republican governor of New Mexico, 
is currently running for the Libertarian party presidential 
nomination and stands for the legalization and regulation of marijuana.

Regardless of someone's political standpoint, it is uncomfortable to 
be pressed upon. The poster set up had a big brother feel to it. 
Unfamiliar with that feeling? Read George Orwell's "1984." Not that 
Point Park has gone setting up creepy posters of President Paul 
Hennigan's face, but the sway of opinion is there. If university 
offices can post anti-marijuana statements, what limits them from 
posting preference of Republican presidential candidate, Ron Paul, 
due to his support of private schooling?

The administrators, board and faculty of Point Park need to remember 
that they represent a large number of diverse students. One reason I 
chose this school is because of its secular non-affiliation with any 
religious, political or moral views.

There is nothing wrong with alcohol and drug education as it is 
essential to understand risks in a college atmosphere; however, when 
political messages for or against a hot topic are conveyed through 
direct sponsorship of a university office, I can't help but be skeptical.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom