Sat, Mar 20 2010
|
|
Published August 21, 2009 02:40 pm - Missouri Southern State University has joined esteemed company — Yale University, Columbia University and the University of California-Berkeley — in the eyes of High Times magazine. Missouri Southern ranked No. 20 in the nation on the list of the top 20 colleges for marijuana activism, according to a report in the magazine’s October issue.  MSSU students receive national recognition for drug policy reform w/ Students for Sensible Drug Policy organization links By Greg Grisolano
ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com Missouri Southern State University has joined esteemed company — Yale University, Columbia University and the University of California-Berkeley — in the eyes of High Times magazine. Missouri Southern ranked No. 20 in the nation on the list of the top 20 colleges for marijuana activism, according to a report in the magazine’s October issue. Kyle Maddy, a sophomore in mass communications and president of the MSSU chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, said the chapter is being recognized for its “Good Samaritan” policy, which states that friends of a person who experiences a drug or alcohol overdose will not receive punishment from the university if they summon police and medical authorities for assistance. “A lot of students are scared to pick up the phone and call police, because they’re underage,” Maddy said. “What this does is remove all thought of fear and punishment because a life is more important. There’s no punitive punishment like suspension or loss of financial aid. (It) won’t damage education opportunities.” Maddy said the policy change initially met with some resistance, but it was passed by the student senate. Maddy praised MSSU administrators for their support. MSSU President Bruce Speck said he considered the Good Samaritan policy a “humanitarian” issue. “I think if you have someone who is on drugs or alcohol and is dying, then you have a humanitarian responsibility to get help for them,” he said. “And if the law prevents you from doing that, then you have a real problem.” The High Times article states: “Operating in conservative Joplin, Mo., the SSDP chapter at Missouri Southern State University has amazed national drug-policy activists and locals alike by fiercely advocating for drug-policy reform in a difficult political climate.” “Compared to all the other colleges, we’re probably a speck on the map,” Maddy said. “They’re all bigger colleges, so for little old MSSU to be recognized in the people’s magazine of a stoner’s era, it definitely shows that no matter where you live, sensible policies will prevail.” The top three schools — the University of Maryland, the University of Michigan and the University of Texas-El Paso — were recognized for students’ efforts to reform drug policy both on campus and at the national level. The organization has more than 160 chapters such as Southern’s on campuses in the United States, and sister organizations operate in Canada and Mexico. The local chapter at MSSU was established in 2005. Maddy said the group’s goal is to promote education and sensible policy for drug use, advocating treatment rather than punishment. “We do not condone or condemn the use of any drugs. We’re simply saying the policies in place right now are inadequate,” he said. “Our chapter and our organization throughout the country looks at this as a health issue, not a criminal issue. We need rehabilitation, counseling and treatment for these individuals with their problems.” The article also states that Missouri Southern student Darrell Sour was elected to serve on the national board of directors for the organization. 
![comment on this story](http://community.cnhi.com/eve/ubb.x?a=dl&f=55410432
&x_id=local_story_233144046.html&x_subject=<img+src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif"+border=0>+MSSU+students+receive+national+recognition+for+drug+policy+reform+<font+color="#ff0000">w/+Students+for+Sensible+Drug+Policy+organization+links</font>+&x_link=http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_233144046.html)
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Local News section
Paddlefish on the horizon in Miami Sitting council members gathered signatures for some panel candidates |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
 |
 |
"2010 Spelling Bee Sponsored by: Tamko Building Products." 
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
![Add a comment on this story](http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/zope/add_comment.php?section_id=local&story_id=local_story_233144046.html&headline=<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0> MSSU students receive national recognition for drug policy reform <font color="#ff0000">w/ Students for Sensible Drug Policy organization links</font> &portal_url=http://www.joplinglobe.com&portal=joplinglobe){kind=link}