<p>I've been admitted, and really like what I know so far about Reed...I think we all know that it's famous for drug use, but what I'd like to know is whether or not anybody has an idea of <em>just how big</em> the drug scene is at Reed. I think it's a neat school, I do, but is it neat </p>
<p>lets put it this way. My friend is going to Reed this fall and he's psyched about it. He visited the campus over spring break and loved it. The first thing that happened to him as he was walking around involved a Reed student who rode by him on a bike. The guy stopped rode back and goes "hey man, want some nubs?"</p>
<p>I am concerned about the drug culture for my s...is the majority of the population recreational users or is there a significant amount of students who don't do drugs???
Where do the kids go who don't do drugs...besides the library?</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I too am a Reed prospie and have heard so much about the "drug culture."</p>
<p>I think your best bet is to check out <a href="http://academic.reed.edu/psychology/pluralisticignorance/drugsalcohol.html%5B/url%5D">http://academic.reed.edu/psychology/pluralisticignorance/drugsalcohol.html</a> (Reed student survey on drug/alcohol use).</p>
<p>I hope this answers your questions.</p>
<h2>Let me preface this stating that these are my opinions and by no means reflect Reed College policy.</h2>
<p>hey, i've been replying a little bit on this message board since i found it when i was sick of entering thesis data and i feel like i can offer some insight, since i'm a senior at reed. Yes, there are drugs at reed, and yes, there is drinking. If you're uncomfortable around drugs and alcohol than reed probably is not the best place for you. That being said, i doubt that reed has any more drugs or drinking than any other school, its just a little more in the open. I am not surprised that someone offered a prospie some substance, but never in my 4 years here have I ever seen any personal peer pressure to drink or use. True, there are always the upperclassmen that come out during O-week with beer to give to freshman, but let me tell you, when your at a new place with all these strange people and a senior comes up to you, hands you a pabst, and says, "Welcome to reed, this place is the *<strong><em>in awesome...started the Illiad yet?" it really makes you a part of the community wicked quickly. It is very possible to have an active social life (yes there is such a thing here), go to parties, and have a real fun time without drinking or drugs. People just really don't care about it that much. Turning things down or saying "i'm not into that" is common place and usually its looked on as "well, that cool, more for me." In sum, yes reed has a decent amount of drugs, and a decent amount of drinking, but reed is more about getting your *</em></strong> done and working way harder than anyone else than about getting wasted. Congrats to all the kids who got in, Reed is one of the best schools in the nation and I never would have gone anywhere else.
cheers,
-ethan</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for that, man. I really appreciate the honesty--usually I either get the reed admin's version (drugs? what drugs?) or that of paranoid parents.</p>
<p>I think the difference in drug use at Reed is the philosophy behind it, as silly as that sounds. They aren't obviously stoned all the time doing nothing, because they have such an incredible workload. Drugs there are entirely different than they are at other schools, because the reasons students do them are entirely different.</p>
<p>Is it true that Reed has a high suicide rate? Or is this just malicious gossip?</p>
<p>The latter -- you "heard" it, right? What data are there to compare colleges? If you find some, let us know.</p>
<p>Some students at another school I'm considering. I haven't been able to find any relevant info. I guess they were just pulling my leg!</p>
<p>I'm a Reed freshman and have never had a sip of alcohol or tried any sort of illegal substance in my life. I've been offered quite a few times at Reed, but everyone has been incredibly respectful when I say no. There is drug use, of course, but there's plenty for people to do that doesn't involve the use of substances as well. </p>
<p>If it really bothers you, you can also apply to live in sub-free. I'm here now and its a cool community. Not everyone is completely sub-free, but the floors are. Partying and substance use stays out of the living environment.</p>
<p>i am a freshman and I have never done drugs or anything. and i don't live in sub free neither. Reed is also reasonably stringent in drug nowadays with new policy or something. just last year one of the guys i knew was found doing drugs and was promptly kicked out. But of course drug culture is highly prevalant. and renn fayre is coming up when almost everyone at least tries some drugs, as some of my friends have told me.</p>
<p>i've heard (i know, i know, dubious sources...) that there's a really big heroin problem at reed. i can definitely deal with the average amount of college drinking & drug use, but heroin's pretty much in another level... and not something i want to be around especially at such a small school.
anyone want to comment on that?
reed sounds amazing to me but the hardcore drug aspect is kinda concerning.</p>
<p>From the Princeton Review site, quoting one Reed student: "Freaky, drugged-out hippy stereotypes are a load of bunk. Anyone like that would flunk out after a semester." As an enthusiastic Reed parent, exposed to a fair number of Reed students, I agree. Having had my own college "experiences", Reed seems no different than any other college in this regard, except that the students must read (Read College?) and study constantly, and don't have a lot of extra time for recreation, and love being at Reed.</p>
<p>My S has always wanted to go to Reed. I was not familiar with the school but my S knew all about it. Then we visited the school and found it to be a very creative, free thinking haven. My S was very impressed with the writing program and felt very comfortable with Reed students and the Professors that he met. Reed is an amazing place where extremely, creative, quirky, and smart students can find a community.</p>
<p>There are many things to like about Reed. BUT you must be willing to pass through a thick cloud of cigarette smoke to enter many of the buildings. At least when my daughter and I visited for "Northwest day" last November, that's what we found. I guess smoking is off limits in the buildings, so comfy chairs are placed outside but near the doorways of some buildings and kids sit there and smoke. Part of Reed's tolerance policy. So if you are intolerant of having to breathe cigarette smoke, think twice about Reed.</p>
<p>personally I haven't noticed that
my daughter began Reed in 2001 and is a graduating senior (took one year off)
I hate smoke and really notice it- but although we go down to Reed at least 2 or 3 times a year for the last 5 years, I haven't noticed any more smoke than just walking around downtown for instance.
It could depend what part of campus you stay it I imagine. My D was mostly in the library/computer center/bio labs, so that is where I focused more of my time.</p>
<p>I also haven't heard much about drugs-my D was in the subfree dorm for three years, as she not only is sensitive to cigarette smoke because of asthma, but thought that it might be quieter than dorms where students have late parties. First year it worked very well since she was even assigned a single room without requesting it, next two years she also requested subfree, because she wanted to continue to have those friends in her dorm. This year she has lived in the townhouses across the street.
So while I wouldn't disagree that any place with young adults ( or anyone for that matter) will have those who smoke- drink- use substances- build trebuchets to fling jack o lanterns accros teh P-patch, we ahven't noticed a disporportinate use of any of the above @ Reed.</p>
<p>"So if you are intolerant of having to breathe cigarette smoke, think twice about Reed."</p>
<p>My daughter attends Reed. She is not a smoker. And coming from California, she was not used to Oregon's looser laws pertaining to smoking. </p>
<p>Yes, smokers do congregate outside and smoke. At the beginning of the year, there seemed to be some testing as to what people would tolerate. Once boundaries were set, there were never any more problems. She found that most smokers are respectful of non-smokers' rights. I don't think this is any different than any other school but only appears to be a bigger problem at Reed due to the small size of the student body and campus.</p>
<p>This photo was <em>not</em> taken in the Reed parking lot, suggesting that drugs can be an issue elsewhere:</p>
<p>that is really funny ;)</p>