Date: Thu, 21 Nov 1996 13:05:10 -0500 (EST)
From: David Borden <[b--rd--n] at [intr.net]>
To: [j--r--y] at [pwa.acusd.edu]
Subject: PROTEST CAMPUS POLICE STATE POLICIES (11/21/96)

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            Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet)
                       Rapid Response Team
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Please copy and distribute.
--------------------------

In a flawed public-relations maneuver intended to bolster 
flagging enrollment, the administration of California State 
University at Chico has decided to "get tough" on 10 
ordinary students to create a false impression that they are 
doing something useful about drugs.

On November 14, ten CSU Chico students were taken into 
custody by the campus police department on drug dealing 
charges.  The university released a statement to the press 
later that day, naming the students and claiming that the 
action would create a safer, more positive environment on 
the campus.

According to campus activists, the students were ordinary 
users who had merely procured small amounts of drugs for a 
friend who turned out to be an undercover narcotics agent.  
Reportedly, the agent bought underage students alcohol, and 
engaged in sexual relations with several others while living 
in the dorm.

The most unusual aspect of the case, however, is that it was 
instigated and subsequently publicized by the university's 
housing department.  Usually schools will cooperate with 
drug investigations but don't initiate them; and they 
usually consider them to be negative publicity rather than 
positive.

The most basic issue is whether schools should play the role 
of police.  There is a growing sentiment among academicians 
that they are not police, and that being forced to act as 
such undermines their role as educators.  The action at UC 
Chico will undoubtedly sow mistrust among students, making 
the ailing institution even less popular, not more.  And, as 
is the case with all drug enforcement, will fail to reduce 
drug abuse and the harms associated with it.  The Chico 
administration need to wake up and stop participating in the 
drug war so enthusiastically.

The CSU Chico Cannabis Coalition has taken the lead on 
campus in organizing demonstrations and pressuring the 
administration to modify its drug policy.  Please support 
CCC's efforts and call the following officials before the 
end of this week:

   Eddie Bankston
   Director of Housing
   (916) 898-6325

   Dr. Manual Estaban
   University President
   (916) 898-5201

   Dr. Paul L. Moore
   Vice-President for Advancement and Student Affairs
   (916) 898-6131

   Michael Minard
   University Chief of Police
   (916) 898-5372

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Please be polite on the phone when calling. Ask to speak to 
the person directly, and leave your message with the 
receptionist if they "are not available."  If you are a 
affiliated with an academic institution, please identify 
yourself by school and name, and express your condemnation 
for the school's police-state tactics. If you get a busy 
signal, that is a good sign, so keep trying.  Tell them that 
society needs to move to a more rational drug policy based 
on public health principles, and that schools should be 
leading the way, not towing the party line.  Tell them that 
the drug war is antithetical to health, safety, and to 
education.  If they respond that drugs are antithetical to 
these concerns, tell them that whatever harm drugs do, their 
policy makes things worse.

For further information, contact the Chico Cannabis 
Coalition, (916) 894-7044, [g--gb--d] at [ecst.csuchico.edu.]

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     Peace    Justice    Freedom    Compassion    Truth
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                      END THE DRUG WAR
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