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John Kroger--the current mandatory minimum policies in Oregon are ineffective and remove the discretion of judges in the sentencing process. How will you address these issues? What is your opinion about Kevin Mannix's current push to expand the scope of mandatory minimums to include first time property and drug offenses?

posted 4 years, 12 months ago
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Take what you want from my statements--I spent four years at Reed and these are my opinions. To deny that Reed is enmeshed with privilege is unfortunate.

posted 5 years ago
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As a somewhat recent graduate from Reed College, and a student who took much advantage of the drug policy at the school, I feel qualified to give an opinion on the recent discussion of drug use at Reed. Of my group of friends at Reed, three later attended rehab, one died of an overdose, and one attempted suicide. Unlike many of the Reedies who responded to the WW article, I think that the freedom endowed to Reed students regarding overt substance misuse is an extension of their class-based privilege. I would never support the tactics of the federal government's War on Drugs, but I also disagree that the college handles on-campus substance use appropriately. At Reed, students seem to embody either arrogance or inadequacy--the academic demands are ridiculous and student have to give up most other aspects of their identities to complete the program. Because of this, I am not surprised by the overall lack of health of the student body. Students do not sleep, over use stimulants, and fail to focus on physical health. I am inclined to support Eastern Oregon University's approach to alcohol and drugs relying on therapy and education over punitive action. But let's not pretend that the current system is not a result of privilege, feelings of entitlement, and disillusionment about reality. We would not be having this discussion if Reed's students were not primarily upper class White kids.

posted 5 years ago
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