SAN ANTONIO – Drugs on college campuses are nothing new, but in the wake of a major drug bust on the campus of TCU just last month, could that same problem could pop up at UTSA?
"If somebody is doing something more serious than your minor users, like major drug suppliers, we would know that," said UTSA police chief Steve Barrera.
Barrera is confident that UTSA is proactively combating any would-be drug issues on his campus.
The overriding sentiment: don't end up like TCU. The private university in Fort Worth was rocked last month by a school-wide drug sting. A total of 17 students, including four football players, were arrested, accused of selling everything from weed to ecstasy to undercover cops.
UTSA officials said they aim to attack any problem before it begins.
"We try to give them an anti-drug message to deter them and then explain the consequences of drugs," said Barrera.
Beyond education, campus police try to keep a strong presence at all student housing, places where drug deals are most likely to go down.
"Our officers try to establish a good report with the students out in housing, especially. They walk around, they have foot patrols, bike patrols," said Barrera.
Barrera had a message for any drug dealers at the school.
"Don't come on campus because you will be arrested," he said. "We take it very seriously here."