Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday Announces Charges Against 14 Individuals in Alleged Penn State Cocaine Ring
Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday announced charges against 14 individuals, primarily current and former students, involved in a large-scale criminal narcotics operation at Penn State University between 2023 and 2024. The alleged drug ring funneled kilos of cocaine to students, with much of the dealing occurring at fraternity houses and during parties. In response to the allegations, Penn State has placed the Delta Upsilon fraternity on interim suspension while the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response conducts an investigation. Sigma Chi, another fraternity involved in the operation, operates outside of the university's oversight. While the case has drawn national attention, research suggests that cocaine use among young adults in the U of S. has actually been declining over the past five years. Data from the federal Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that cocaine use among young adults fell from 3.7% in the percent in 2021 to 2.6% last year. Experts note that while cocaine use is decreasing, alcohol and cannabis use remain high among college-aged demographics.
Sources
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Penn State bust put focus on cocaine but on most campuses the big risk is alcohol
NPR
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Penn State students return as frat drug ring case draws national attention to campus
Centre Daily Times
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Inside the Penn State frat house drug ring — cocaine-and-molly-fueled parties, secret dealing rooms and brutal hazing
New York Post
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Penn State responds to serious criminal charges against current and former students
The Pennsylvania State University
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Parents who lost son in fraternity hazing say Penn State chapter needs to clean house after drug ring arrests
NBC News