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