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Sorry - but no one but brother George Spasyk could address this better: WAY back from 1986 Cross and Crescent:
Reflections... on Being Old-Fashioned
Summer 1986 -- June 17, 1986 Len Bias, twenty-two years old, University of Maryland All-American basketball star, Is the first-round draft choice of the NBA champion Boston Celtics. The ultimate dream of every young college athlete had come true for this young, healthy, strapping young man. He could look forward to a lifetime of fame and would amass a fortune in material wealth.
June 19, 1986 Len Bias was dead, of cardiac arrest, brought on by the use of cocaine.
"Anyone's death diminishes mankind," John Donne said. But the drug-induced death of a star athlete, one who is in a position to be a role model for other young people, can have a profound effect on those who might have been tempted to experiment with this insidious drug. Perhaps, just perhaps, others would be warned that the senseless use of illegal drugs, any illegal drugs... marijuana, cocaine (and its more deadly derivative, "crack"), heroin... can cause tragedy, even death.
June 27, 1986 Don Rogers, twenty-three years old, Cleveland Browns star defensive back, on the eve of his wedding day, dies of an overdose of cocaine. Don Bogers obviously knew what had caused Len Bias' death. Anyone who reads a newspaper, a news magazine, or watches TV (and that's just about everyone), knew how Len Bias died. But apparently Don Rogers didn't think it could happen to him.
These drug-related deaths elicit a number of reactions -- shock, grief, anger, and perhaps a degree of frustration. But perhaps they might induce a degree of fear; the realization that it can happen to anyone.
If anyone were to categorize me as "old-fashioned," I happily and confidently plead guilty, especially when it comes to the use of illegal drugs. I've always felt that their use was stupid, absolutely stupid.
There are reports that some twenty-five million people in the United States have used cocaine.
That's 11% of our population. Marijuana use far exceeds that number. Is it a problem in Lambda Chi Alpha? Yes. Not to the degree that it is in society as a whole, but yes, it's a problem in about 6% of our chapters. Among alumni members, it's anybody's guess.
I just have never understood why anyone in his right mind would use illegal drugs, even experimentally, even just once, "to see what it's like."
The Fraternity has a policy that
"There shall be no possession or use of illegal drugs, including paraphernalia, in chapter houses, on Fraternity premises, at Fraternity functions wherever held, or in any other fashion that would be connected in any way with the Fraternity."
This doesn't touch the member who may use illegal drugs in the privacy of his off-campus apartment, unless such use reflects adversely on the Fraternity, such as being busted and being identified as a member of the Fraternity. (Emphasis mine)
Does the Fraternity have a right to be concerned about its members using illegal drugs? Not only does it have the right, it has an absolute obligation to do so. To do otherwise would render "brotherhood" and "brotherly love" hollow and meaningless terms. I just wish we could do more about it.
Of one thing I am sure; I will never tolerate the use of illegal drugs in my home, among my friends or associates, or on the Fraternity staff. If this be "old-fashioned," so be it.
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