Scott - Back when I went to college, New Paltz was repted to be the #1 drug school in the SUNY system. I went to Plattsburgh State. Supposedly, that was the #1 drinking school.. and #2 in drugs. And that's where I actually found InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
Jim,
Ive never heard that about New Paltz!
although its not surprising..
I was at New Paltz 1988-1992, and yes, it was very much a "hippy school" and probably still is..actually, the town itself is more hippesque than the college..
the whole region definately has retained a catskill woodstock vibe!
I think some of the professors came to town after Woodstock in 1969, then never left!
so from a mildly hippy weedy perspective, I guess you could say its a "drug school"..
but in reality probably no more so than any other college in the country..
actually, when I was at New Paltz I also visited friends at SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Oswego, and UMASS...and New Paltz was definatley the tamest of the bunch!
when I was a kid in the mid 70's, we had this area of old roadways in the woods that had once been a railroad yard..they were called "the black roads" because the roads were all black from coal cinders..as kids around the 5-10 year old age, we were told to beware of dangerous "hippys" who could be hanging out there! I envisioned them as hells-angels biker type people..
then, when I got to college and met REAL hippys my own age, I discovered they were the nicest group of people you could hope to meet! flaky yes, but certaintly not "dangerous" in any way..I was friends with several dead-heads...the bus stopped for me, but I never got on..but I am still a huge Phish fan to this day..
I never partook of any of the recreational activities offered in a hippy town..not my thing..
so I never saw much of it..although I certaintly knew it was around..
Scot