By Danielle Koch
On Feb. 22, the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team and the Georgia
Bureau of Investigation arrested 22 people and seized large amounts of drugs,
drug paraphernalia and cash following a four-month investigation. According
to the Savannah Morning News, authorities found half a pound of butterscotch-
flavored marijuana, 17 hits of LSD, more than 50 chocolate-covered
psilocybin mushrooms, an unspecified amount of cocaine and dimethyltryptamine
(DMT) and $6,500 in cash.
In the Savannah Morning News, Roy Harris, commander of the
Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, said, “These are some unusual
drugs that we haven’t seen a lot in Chatham County. It’s concerning because
some of the psychedelic drugs can look relatively harmless, but they can
be very dangerous.”
Through a search of the corporate directory in SCAD Webmail, 19 of the
22 people arrested were found to be students at the Savannah College of Art
and Design. Bruce Chong, dean of communications, said that the college was
aware that at least two of the people were students because they were arrested
in their residence hall rooms. However, Chong also said that CNT found no
drugs in the residence halls.
Many of the people arrested were charged with possession of a controlled
substance with intent to distribute and using an electronic device to facilitate
drug sales, both felonies. Others were charged with possession of more than an
ounce of marijuana, a misdemeanor. While the courts could ultimately decide
the students’ futures, students that do not receive jail time will have to go
through a judicial review process conducted by Student Services to determine
if they will remain students at SCAD.
Barrett Doyle, a third-year performing arts student, said, “Based on SCAD’s
policy of contraband in residence halls and the contracts we signed to live
there, it would be a hard case to plead on the side of the accused to stay in the
residence halls. But they should still be allowed to stay in the school because
it shouldn’t have an effect on their education if they aren’t convicted.”
Dr. Phillip Alletto, vice president for Student Services, said, “The college
can’t comment on specific student cases, but our policy treats each individual
on a case-by-case basis, based on the facts, past behavior and the severity of
any violation of the student code of conduct.”
Despite the fact that many of the students arrested live in the residence halls,
the college does not feel that it needs to tighten its policies related to drugs
and alcohol since none were found there.
“I know we do room sweeps about once a quarter or more, but I think that
for us it’s an opportunity to look at the services and support that we provide
students. Our goal is to reach out to students that are facing difficulties or problems
so that they don’t feel that substance abuse is the answer,” said Chong.
Dr. Alletto reinforced Chong’s statement by encouraging students to utilize
the college’s resources to remove drugs from their life.
“Students who believe that they have (or might have) a problem and would
like to seek counseling and/or treatment can contact Counseling and Student
Support Services in York Hall. We have specially certified counselors with years
of experience in substance abuse counseling and programming. Of course, all
such contact and counseling are confidential,” said Alletto.
