My Roommate the Drug Dealer... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

perfecto1 · 10-08-2008, 06:46 AM

I did not write this article, it's a very interesting read and I am curious as to how others would have handled being in this situation.

Me personally I would have filed the formal complaint in a heartbeat, being popular on your college dorm floor for a year, is no comparison to spending years in jail for selling drugs.

To me the person who wrote this, is just as guilty as his roommate.

Quote:

I was fast asleep when suddenly I was awoken by a pounding on the door. This was not a knock like, “Hey, what’s up?” or even, “I really need to talk to you.” This was a knock that said, “I am going to get in there, and when I do, it’s gonna suck to be you.” The person outside the door was screaming for my roommate. I looked over to him.

"Don't open the door!"

I asked who it was.

"Just don't open the door."

I've never been so terrified in my life.

My roommate called the cops, but it took a while for them to get there. The knocking stopped—a ploy. We could still see the shadow of two feet under the door. He stood out there, stark still and silent. Then the knob started to slowly turn. He was trying to get in. A few minutes before the cops arrived, he left. Honestly, that night had been coming
a long time.

When I first met my roommate freshman year, I was cautiously optimistic. He seemed nice enough. I thought I could chill with him, even after he starting talking about drugs the first week of class. I had never done any. The first time he had ever smoked weed was during senior week, and he began to smoke more regularly over the summer. When I met him he smoked twice a week.
Eventually, he was smoking almost every night out the window of the men’s bathroom. He would come back giggling and stay up all night playing online poker. He also experimented with other substances, like Adderall—to help him stay awake for gambling and more weed.
He and his buddies would even strangle each other to the point of passing out to get high off the oxygen deprivation. I’m not exactly sure when he started dealing.

He would get visits from strange girls, beautiful girls who he would bang that night then never see again. Most of them brought little gifts: cigarettes, teddy bears, etc. I thought he just had serious game.
During the third month of school I talked to the resident assistant (RA) and, without naming specifics, told him that I was very uncomfortable with my roommate. My RA told me my only recourse was to file a formal complaint, but my roommate was popular on the floor. I didn’t want to be the one getting him thrown out. Not to mention the paperwork; finals were coming up.

Then, one night, early in the spring semester, he and his buddies were in my room again, high, watching the movie Blow. Then, “Let’s get some coke!” I told him no way, no way are you doing coke in my room. He ran out of the room with his “connection” on the phone and didn’t come back that night.

One day I came back from class and he and his buddies were doing lines off one of his textbooks and asked if I wanted a hit. It was the first time I had ever seen cocaine in real life, and it was far from the last.

He continued to deal weed, coke too for all I know, even to strangers from the neighborhood. Many times during the next weeks I would corner him and demand that he stop doing drugs and stop dealing. The answer was always the same: “Yeah, man. I know. These drugs are really messing up my life. I’m going to stop this week. I really need to stop.” And, within a few days, he’d be snorting in my room again. He never even made an effort. He just gave me the same speech to get me off his back, and it worked.
Drug stats

Honestly, he had a good racket, getting laid by a different beautiful girl every night, money rolling in. He didn’t even have to go to class because he had ringers going and taking his tests for him in exchange for drugs. But the low point came the night of the knocking on our door.

Days after the incident, the RA pulled me aside. He told me he knew what was going on in our room. He told me my roommate was smoking out of the floor’s bathroom window. He had strangers coming to our room at all hours. He told me that it was only a matter of time before my roommate got busted, and he told me if my roommate went down and I knew about his activities and hadn’t
reported them, I’d be expelled with him and probably subject to legal action.

Then I was approached by the cops, who told me the same thing. But they also told me they wanted to catch him in the act. And they wanted me to be the rat.

I didn't want to be a snitch. Not because of some “Stop Snitching” code, but because I knew what would happen to me. I would be completely ostracized from the campus community, hated in the entire building. And my roommate might send someone after me.

But the cops were persistent, and eventually wore me down. We worked out this elaborate plot, seemingly straight from the movies. When a deal went down in the room I’d call the cops on speed dial and hang up. Minutes later, cops would burst into the room and bust both of us. I would be thrown into a cop car, taken to jail and fill out paper work. I would spend the night in jail, just enough time to convince my roommate and the other residents that I wasn’t in on it. Then they’d slip me out the back door and home.

I sat through several deals, but was too scared to make that call. Once, I had my finger on the button, but the buyer left too quickly. And I never did get the chance. His parents somehow caught wind of his addiction and pulled him out of housing to get him into rehab.
He had put me through hell my freshman year. He went from a casual user, to a dealer, to a completely dependent addict and near convict in less than a year. And I had front row seats to the whole episode. D.A.R.E. can never give you an education like that.

My ex-roommate called me a few months ago. Of course I never returned it. But I’ve heard he’s dropped out of school to play cards in Baltimore.

Jinn · 10-08-2008, 08:09 AM

That's a shitty RA if the only option is to file a formal complaint. There were dozens of occasions during my time in college dorms where the option to move to another room was given to someone who didn't like their roommate, nonetheless their roommate was involved in totally illegal activities.

He's be just as culpable in a situation where the police arrived - he could go to jail for the roommate's drugs, even if they were all in his roommate's room. Sounds like the cowardly lion might've gotten a good lesson in life, but not much more.

snowy · 10-08-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinn

That's a shitty RA if the only option is to file a formal complaint. There were dozens of occasions during my time in college dorms where the option to move to another room was given to someone who didn't like their roommate, nonetheless their roommate was involved in totally illegal activities.

He's be just as culpable in a situation where the police arrived - he could go to jail for the roommate's drugs, even if they were all in his roommate's room. Sounds like the cowardly lion might've gotten a good lesson in life, but not much more.

It's also a shitty RA if he didn't notice what was going on under his own nose. Common sense says lots of strange people showing up at all hours = drug dealer. It came up in my RA training; I'm surprised this RA took the whole year to figure out what the fuck was going on. When I was an RA, I and a fellow staff member were responsible for one of the largest drug busts in the dorms at my university; the guy was smoking out of a bong on the fire escape landing and ran when we appeared while we were doing rounds. This was only a couple months into the school year, and my duty partner that night (who was his RA) had been watching him closely for a couple weeks and documenting the activity near his door before calling the state police. Seeing the bong allowed us to skip that bit and call the state police in immediately. You think the RA would've just manned up and called the cops long before this, saving roommate the pain of being a snitch.

Daniel_ · 10-08-2008, 10:23 AM

Makes one wonder if the RA deliberately avoied noticing because he has a vested interest in not knowing (either free gear, or free women, or was in some other way involved).

Or am I beign too cynical?

perfecto1 · 10-08-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel_

Makes one wonder if the RA deliberately avoied noticing because he has a vested interest in not knowing (either free gear, or free women, or was in some other way involved).

Or am I beign too cynical?

I don't think you are being too cynical, hell in this day and age, anything is possible, and you are probably right.

genuinegirly · 10-08-2008, 10:46 PM

Interesting perspective. Sounds like torturous freshman year.

I have lived with drug users and more than one of them was likely a dealer. Just part of live in a Berkeley student co-op. I complained to house management numerous times, each time being told that if I report any incident officially to the central co-op housing office or to the police, every house member and neighbor will despise me. The house management also informed me they would be unable to protect me if anything were to happen to me.

Not exactly the most pleasant environment when you're attempting to make it through challenging coursework. Somehow I made it through, mainly by griping about it to other concerned house members.

ItWasMe · 10-08-2008, 11:41 PM

I found the link to the article here

College Magazine - My Roommate, the Drug Dealer

Some interesting comments, from flaming the author to supporting the idea that things like this happen. It was more than 20 years ago that I lived in a dorm. Some kids did drugs, sure (one shot himself on an acid trip). But we didn't need a reason to change roommates and rooms other than wanting to room with another friend. We could only do that once every so often, but were supposed to be adults paying for our room and board...they didn't really ask why we wanted to live with so-and-so.

Poppinjay · 10-09-2008, 02:41 AM

Situations can be different for freshman. My school put freshmen in freshman-only dorms, and everybody had a roommate. You were strongly encouraged to work out differences as part of growing up and dealing with the real world.

At any rate, the RA is just as culpable if he knew about it. It is not the responsibility of a freshman student to bring down his drug dealing roomie.

We had a huge drug bust at our tiny school, it made national headlines. A major dealer was routing all his stuff through our post office. When he was busted, pretty much everybody turned their backs on him.

little_tippler · 10-09-2008, 03:45 AM

I have had little to no contact with drugs and drug users in my life - thank goodness.

I think it was shitty that the guy had no option. In the end he went through hell but it worked out ok overall for him. I'm not sure what I would have done but I definitely wouldn't have put up with it for a year, being miserable all the way. I'd have probably found alternative accommodation somehow.

PonyPotato · 10-09-2008, 05:53 AM

In the dorm I lived in freshman year, we had a drug dealer on our floor. He was my friend Joe's roommate. Joe made sure he was hardly ever in the room, and drug dealing roomie was NOT popular in an honors and substance-free dorm. The RAs were suspicious and stayed on their toes.. drug dealer ended up failing out and going back home after a couple of quarters, which was fine. Joe thought the experience was great, being able to tell stories about his drug dealing roomie.. weirdo.

The Faba · 10-09-2008, 10:40 AM

That's all kind of messed up.

The RA was an imbecile, the dealer was... words fail me, and this kid was stuuuupid for letting this stuff just pass him by over and over again.

perfecto1 · 10-09-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Faba

That's all kind of messed up.

The RA was an imbecile, the dealer was... words fail me, and this kid was stuuuupid for letting this stuff just pass him by over and over again.

agreed

10-08-2008, 08:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	That's a shitty RA if the only option is to file a formal complaint. There were dozens of occasions during my time in college dorms where the option to move to another room was given to someone who didn't like their roommate, nonetheless their roommate was involved in totally illegal activities. He's be just as culpable in a situation where the police arrived - he could go to jail for the roommate's drugs, even if they were all in his roommate's room. Sounds like the cowardly lion might've gotten a good lesson in life, but not much more. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

10-08-2008, 10:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Daniel_ Evil Priest: The Devil Made Me Do It! Location: Southern England	Makes one wonder if the RA deliberately avoied noticing because he has a vested interest in not knowing (either free gear, or free women, or was in some other way involved). Or am I beign too cynical? __________________ ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air, And deep beneath the rolling waves, In labyrinths of Coral Caves, The Echo of a distant time Comes willowing across the sand; And everthing is Green and Submarine ╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

10-08-2008, 10:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	Interesting perspective. Sounds like torturous freshman year. I have lived with drug users and more than one of them was likely a dealer. Just part of live in a Berkeley student co-op. I complained to house management numerous times, each time being told that if I report any incident officially to the central co-op housing office or to the police, every house member and neighbor will despise me. The house management also informed me they would be unable to protect me if anything were to happen to me. Not exactly the most pleasant environment when you're attempting to make it through challenging coursework. Somehow I made it through, mainly by griping about it to other concerned house members. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

10-08-2008, 11:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
ItWasMe But You'll Never Prove It. Location: under your bed	I found the link to the article here College Magazine - My Roommate, the Drug Dealer Some interesting comments, from flaming the author to supporting the idea that things like this happen. It was more than 20 years ago that I lived in a dorm. Some kids did drugs, sure (one shot himself on an acid trip). But we didn't need a reason to change roommates and rooms other than wanting to room with another friend. We could only do that once every so often, but were supposed to be adults paying for our room and board...they didn't really ask why we wanted to live with so-and-so. __________________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Ok, no more truth-or-dare until somebody returns my underwear" ~ George Lopez I bake cookies just so I can lick the bowl. ~ ItWasMe

10-09-2008, 02:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	Situations can be different for freshman. My school put freshmen in freshman-only dorms, and everybody had a roommate. You were strongly encouraged to work out differences as part of growing up and dealing with the real world. At any rate, the RA is just as culpable if he knew about it. It is not the responsibility of a freshman student to bring down his drug dealing roomie. We had a huge drug bust at our tiny school, it made national headlines. A major dealer was routing all his stuff through our post office. When he was busted, pretty much everybody turned their backs on him. __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

10-09-2008, 03:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
little_tippler Leaning against the -Sun- Super Moderator Location: on the other side	I have had little to no contact with drugs and drug users in my life - thank goodness. I think it was shitty that the guy had no option. In the end he went through hell but it worked out ok overall for him. I'm not sure what I would have done but I definitely wouldn't have put up with it for a year, being miserable all the way. I'd have probably found alternative accommodation somehow. __________________ Whether we write or speak or do but look We are ever unapparent. What we are Cannot be transfused into word or book. Our soul from us is infinitely far. However much we give our thoughts the will To be our soul and gesture it abroad, Our hearts are incommunicable still. In what we show ourselves we are ignored. The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged By any skill of thought or trick of seeming. Unto our very selves we are abridged When we would utter to our thought our being. We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams, And each to each other dreams of others' dreams. Fernando Pessoa, 1918

10-09-2008, 05:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
PonyPotato Soaring Location: Ohio!	In the dorm I lived in freshman year, we had a drug dealer on our floor. He was my friend Joe's roommate. Joe made sure he was hardly ever in the room, and drug dealing roomie was NOT popular in an honors and substance-free dorm. The RAs were suspicious and stayed on their toes.. drug dealer ended up failing out and going back home after a couple of quarters, which was fine. Joe thought the experience was great, being able to tell stories about his drug dealing roomie.. weirdo. __________________ "Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark." — Henri-Frédéric Amiel

10-09-2008, 10:40 AM	#11 (permalink)
The Faba Crazy	That's all kind of messed up. The RA was an imbecile, the dealer was... words fail me, and this kid was stuuuupid for letting this stuff just pass him by over and over again.