College Clips

By James Patrick Schmidt

Published Feb. 16, 2007

Connecticut study states marijuana can become addictive for abusers

A recent study has found marijuana to be more addictive than originally thought. Ronald Kadden, head of the University of Connecticut Health Center's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center, performed the study in 2006.

Paul Caldwell of the Syracuse University School of Social Work stated in an e-mail that the idea is nothing new.

"Marijuana has long been known to meet criteria associated with substance dependence — the diagnosis to which 'addiction' refers," he said.

Not all marijuana users become dependent. Some have the power to quit, but simply don't want to, Caldwell said.

"This might be the more common status of regular marijuana users, that is, they can stop, but they don't," Caldwell said. "They willingly risk the potential consequences of marijuana use, such as respiratory damage, compromised immune systems and impaired social and mental health functioning."

— The Daily Orange (Syracuse University)

Few follow Florida campus smoking ban

The University of Florida enacted a new smoking policy three weeks ago, but nobody seems to notice, even those responsible for enforcing it.

The policy, which banned smoking within 50 feet of all campus buildings, is supposed to be enforced by those responsible for the buildings, including deans, assistant deans and other university authorities. But authorities are unsure how to enforce the policy.

In some cases, administrators didn't know about the ban.

Linda C. Hon, senior associate dean of the College of Journalism and Communications, said she was unfamiliar with the policy.

"The bottom line is that we'll need to get clarification and develop a plan of action," she said.

— The Independent Florida Alligator (University of Florida)

Women seek citizenship, relationship

People wonder if mail-order brides really exist — they do.

According to the United States Citizen and Immigration Services, nearly 150,000 women advertise themselves for some sort of mail-order bride service hoping to gain U.S. citizenship through the marriage.

Well-educated white men make up the majority of people who arrange nuptials by mail.

"I think often they tend to be very busy, very professional men, and perhaps they are too busy to invest time to find a conventional relationship," said Louisiana State University sociology professor Susan Dumais.

Dumais said hope for a better life leads women to advertise themselves. She also said there is a darker side to mail-order brides.

"These are men who have had major career success and are used to being in charge, and the women are usually younger, vulnerable women who don't really know anybody and can be controlled easily," she said.

— The Daily Reveille (Louisiana State University)