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Red
balloons tied to a table in front of Florida State University's
Strozier Library seemed to dance in the wind as students talked with
one another.
But
the reason for the balloons was far more serious — they were set up to
represent student deaths related to alcohol, said John Mola, spokesman
for Students for Sensible Drug Policies. Mola
and others from SSDP launched a petition drive to urge university
officials to establish a policy relating to "medical amnesty."
Members of SSDP want university officials to not penalize students
who have excessively used alcohol. SSDP members would prefer for
students to get the appropriate help for their problems.The
organization's efforts Wednesday came at a time when about 80 other
colleges and universities throughout the country were holding rallies
to ask university officials to "stop driving us to drink" and reduce
penalties for marijuana use, Mason Tavert, executive director of Safer
Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER. "SSDP
does not condone or condemn the use of drugs," Mola said. "Instead we
seek to find the best solution to drug problems and drug policies." Mola said feedback for his organization's stance on a policy change was "overwhelmingly positive." Most students are under the impression that FSU's policies support medical amnesty, Mola added. Mola
believes the school should promote "responsible partying" instead of
"zero tolerance." By 2 p.m. Wednesday, about 50 students signed SSDP's
petition. "I just
think it's important to not be worried about being punished," student
Olivia Williams said. "Students should not be afraid to get help." FSU's code of conduct calls for handling issues on a case-by-case basis. |
