Students for Sensible Drug Policy involved in more than just reform

Student Group Donates Books to Public Library

Morgantown, WV – The West Virginia University (WVU) chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) donated over 125 books to the Morgantown Public Library on Monday.

The WVU chapter of SSDP initiated a book drive that collected over 125 books to be donated to the library.  Any and all books were welcome in the drive, and the member turnout was great.  The types of books donated ranged from old textbooks and other nonfiction to children’s activity books.

“Everyone really rallied for this cause, and we were able to exceed our expectations in the book drive,” said SSDP member Jhesse Jones.  “Public libraries are a great resource for the community, and it is important to support them any way you can.”

Ellen Hathaway, librarian at the Morgantown Public Library, said “Donations are important because they help the library generate revenue through the book sale.”  The library holds a used book sale every Tuesday from 12:00 PM until 3:00PM.  They encourage the public to come browse the selection and support their local library programs.  The money they make through the book sale goes to anything the library might be in need of.   “We mostly receive donations from private individuals, not organizations,” said Hathaway.

WVU students traditionally are not very involved with the public library, instead choosing to use the University’s libraries.  All WVU students are welcome to use the public library, as well.

SSDP has been active in the community before, sponsoring a Relay for Life team last spring and organizing several trash pick-up days, where members of the organization clean up litter around Morgantown.  The organization hopes to turn their book drive for the Morgantown Public Library into an annual event.

Medical Marijuana Not a Burning Issue for Lawmakers

West Virginia legislators are not high on the idea of making pot legal.

By Walt Williams

Posted Thursday, October 21, 2010 ; 06:00 AM
Originally published here: http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=87992

Image courtesy of thefreshscent.com

State lawmakers are not high on the idea of legalizing marijuana, an issue that really hasn’t come to the attention of the Legislature.Many states have explored legalizing marijuana for medicinal uses. A handful of states now allow medical marijuana, and California voters will decide next month whether to legalize it for everyone.

But those discussions have not taken place in West Virginia, where possession of an ounce or less of pot is a misdemeanor.

“I have no interest in seeing marijuana legalized for any reason,” said Delegate Tim Miley, D-Kanawha, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Fifteen states and Washington, D.C., currently have laws allowing for medical marijuana use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California adopted the first such law in 1996, opening the way for other states to follow suit.

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Officials: ‘Synthetic Marijuana’ Easy to Obtain in WV

Originally published here: http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=87991

Officials: ‘Synthetic Marijuana’ Easy to Obtain in W.Va.
Posted Thursday, October 21, 2010 ; 06:00 AM
Updated Thursday, October 21, 2010; 01:36 PM

Synthetic cannabinoids, such as this product, are legal in West Virginia. Photo Credit: MICHAEL HUPP / The State Journal

Synthetic cannabinoids are a potpourri-like substance that can be purchased at gas stations, tobacco stores and other retailers.

By Michael Hupp

Respecting others’ rights essential to campus smoking policy

By Tomas Engle

Published: Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 23:11

Monday night in the Lincoln Hall theater, one of a series of focus group meetings for President James P. Clements’ Task Force for Tobacco Policy took place. For two hours, 14 students representing extended and off-campus housing voiced their opinions on possible changes to the current WVU smoking policy, including a smoke/tobacco ban across both campuses.

The dialogue was civil and fruitful despite the range of opinions, and a common goal was reached in respecting the rights of smokers and non-smokers alike with no one group being favored at the expense of the other.

This series of focus groups will put real power in the hands of the students to solve their own problems by brainstorming with others and coming up with realistic and fair solutions to complex issues facing our campus.

The talk was initiated by moderator and sociology Professor Ronald Althouse with the opening statement, “The point is to lay it (smoking policy) out and openly discuss … an issue that won’t go away.” Dr. Althouse then encouraged the students to state brief initial concerns on the current smoking policy so that the discussion could be properly steered in those directions.

Senior communication studies major Jhesse Jones, started off the discussion by making the point that any total smoking ban across campus would be “unenforceable and unfair.” Sophomore physics major Scott Ferris maintained that the current debate was a “human rights issue,” and that since the University represents all students, it should not benefit some students at the expense of others.

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The Charleston Gazette – WVU student leaders want to bind skyrocketing textbook costs

“CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Student leaders at West Virginia University believe students should get better deals when buying and selling textbooks back to the WVU Bookstore, which is now operated by Barnes & Noble College Booksellers.