Reed College - Drug Scene

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Most Reed students believe that, while Reed does possess a prevalent drug scene, that scene doesn’t pressure students to become part of it. Although drugs do float rather freely around campus, those that choose to do those drugs respect other students while using them. Rarely do students feel pressured to use drugs, and rarely do those who use drugs use them in such a way as to make others around them uncomfortable. Essentially, Reed students respect the desires and comfort zones of other students. Be warned: a sizably-large drug scene does exist at Reed. The fallacy comes in stating that it is larger or any worse than the drug scenes at other schools. At other schools, though, the drug scene simply isn’t as open as it is at Reed. People attending those schools do drugs behind closed doors and in secrecy. When in need, these people are afraid to go to school authorities for help in fear of repercussion. Reed differs because our drug scene does not hide behind closed doors; we openly admit to using drugs in moderation and generally attempt to use them responsibly in safe conditions. Although the administration at Reed has become slightly more conservative towards drug and alcohol use over the past few years, the drug scene has not undergone much change as a result. In years past, people were known to very publicly smoke pot in the open, grassy areas of campus.

The philosophy of most Reedies is that being out in the open and safe is a whole lot better than being secretive and potentially harmful to yourself or others. Furthermore, the compassionate and understanding position of Community Safety enables students to not fear seeking help. Getting a little talk on responsible drug use and safe practices is better than overdosing alone in your room.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

If you ask most people about drug... If you ask most people about drug use here at Reed, they will say there is no more here than anywhere else, it is just more open. According to a past survey comparing Reed to similar schools, we do significantly more drugs, but these results weren’t released to the public. The most you will get anyone to admit is that drugs here are used in more concentrated bouts than elsewhere. All I know is, I hear and read about people using cocaine and other drugs that I never heard about people using in high school. Then again, maybe I was just sheltered. 12345 Drug Scene Report

Anonymous says:

If you’re not a big fan of drugs,... If you’re not a big fan of drugs, then it’s perfectly fine. There’s a very good substance-free dorm here, and they’re a tight-knit group. If you want to get your fix, I suppose that’s perfectly possible. 12345 Drug Scene Report

Anonymous says:

Many Reedies are at first... Many Reedies are at first overwhelmed here because you can do exactly what you want, and probably have more freedom in that sense than just about any place a young, irresponsible, stressed out adolescent can expect to find him or herself. High stress and a need to cut loose can compound this issue. That being said, the freedom is a great thing to have. You are given a lot of slack and it’s up to you whether you hang yourself with it or not. 12345 Drug Scene Report

Anonymous says:

There are people who don’t do... There are people who don’t do drugs on campus, but there are also many who do, and people are fairly open about it. If you want drugs, they are easily accessible and I guess that if you don’t, it can seem like they are everywhere. 12345 Drug Scene Report

Anonymous says:

I live in substance-free housing,... I live in substance-free housing, which is a place where people aren’t allowed to bring alcohol, cigarettes, or illegal substances. So I’m not the best judge on the drug scene. However, I do hear we Reedies smoke a lot of pot and take more than our share of hallucinogens. But it’s hard to use a lot of drugs and still make it academically here. 12345 Drug Scene Report

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