Acorn

Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News

Media Credit: facebook.com Kaitlin Petersen

On Dec. 10, 2007, Kaitlin Petersen ('11) was arrested on charges of possession of drugs. Madison police alleged that Petersen, of Oakland, NJ, was in possession of controlled dangerous substances including marijuana and prescription pills in her dorm room at Tolley Hall.

The investigation began when Public Safety responded to students' complaints of strong odors of marijuana in their residence hall. Public Safety proceeded to call Madison police to help the further investigation of a student suspected of possession of illegal substances.

The responding officers met with security in Tolley Hall where the complaints originated.

Chief Tom Evans of Drew Public Safety emphasized that the investigation began with the complaints. "Someone called us about their room smelling like marijuana, so we responded," he said.

According to the police report, officers found small baggies of marijuana, marijuana smoking devices, packaging material, an electronic scale and numerous prescription pills including: Seroquel, Wellbutin, Concerta, Ambien, Xanax, Lunesta, Lamictal, Tylenol with Codine, Dextroamphetamine, Tenazepam, Risperdal, Metformin, Nortiptyline, Aleve, Effexor, Perphenazine, Acepromazine, Depazote, Zypreza, Strattera, Propanolol, Mylan, Buspirone, Tramadol and Dilantin. The report also contends that Petersen was in possession of a substance believed to be L.S.D.

Petersen was arrested and taken to the Madison Police Department where she was charged with illegal possession of prescription drugs, possession of prescription drugs not in proper containers, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphenalia. Petersen may also be given additional charges for possession with intent to distribute.

When asked about the impact the arrest may have on the larger Drew community, SGA president Erik Emdur ('09) said he did not believe it would cause major changes. "This didn't change anything," he said. "I don't think it will have any effect on the campus, only individuals."

"I don't think Drew has drug problems," Emdur added.

Chief Evans agreed that the incident did not warrant any immediate changes to investigations. "This has an impact on [Kaitlin Petersen] in particular but I don't think it has a great impact on the campus in general," he said. "We're going to continue to do the amount of drug searches that we're doing now."

While he expressed sympathy for students, Evans continued to view them as having responsibilities as well as freedom. "Drugs are illegal, whether or not students feel they should be legal," Evans said. "I don't think students realize how important Public Safety is to them. It's far better to get involved with us or the student conduct boards than the police."

According to Robyn D'Onofrio of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Petersen was released pending a court appearance. Her next court date is scheduled for Wednesday for an Early Disposition Conference.

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