INTRODUCTION
The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, as articulated in the Education Department General Regulations (EDGAR) Part 86, the “Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations,” require institutions of higher education (IHEs) to develop and implement programs to prevent the abuse of alcohol and the use of illicit drugs by students and employees, including faculty. In addition, IHEs are required to provide annual notification of the provisions of their alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs to students and employees, including faculty, and to conduct biennial reviews of the programs and their effectiveness.
THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR HEALTH SCIENCES’ ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) has developed this Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program ( “The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences ADAP Program”) to meet the requirements of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, as articulated in the Education Department General Regulations (EDGAR) Part 86, the “Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations.”
USAHS ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM REQUIRED ELEMENTS
1. USAHS ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY
The USAHS maintains a drug-free workplace. Students, faculty, and employees are strictly prohibited from misusing controlled substances, intoxicants, alcohol, and prescription drugs, or buying, selling, manufacturing, distributing, possessing, or working under the influence of those substances when conducting USAHS business, while on the campus premises, while working in the university online environment, or while participating in internships, fieldwork, residencies, fellowships, or other university-sponsored activities on or off the USAHS campuses, except as explicitly authorized by a prescription from a physician.
2. INFORMATION RELATING TO THE LEGAL SANCTIONS FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
a. ALCOHOL LAW PENALTIES. The legal drinking age in all 50 states of the United States and the District of Columbia is 21 years of age. The legal drinking age in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam is 18 years of age. Persons under the legal drinking age who purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages may be subject to fines or imprisonment depending on state law. Persons who knowingly furnish alcohol to minors are also subject to fines or imprisonment.
Specific information on state and local legal penalties for alcohol violations may be obtained on state law enforcement websites.
b. DRUG LAW PENALTIES. Under federal law, a conviction for possession of illicit drugs carries a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine of up to $250,000. Special federal sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine require a mandatory prison sentence of five (5) to twenty (20) years. The range of penalties for conviction of unlawful distribution of illicit drugs under federal law is summarized in the schedules of federal drug trafficking penalties that can be found online at http://www.dea.gov/index.shtml The severity of the sanctions imposed for both possession and distribution offenses depends on the quantity of drugs, prior convictions, and whether death or serious injury resulted. Sanctions may be increased for offenses that involve distribution to minors or occur on or near a school or campus. In addition, other federal laws require or permit forfeiture of personal or real property used to illegally possess, facilitate possession, transport, or for concealment of a controlled substance. A person’s right to purchase or receive a firearm or other federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, or professional or commercial licenses, may also be revoked or denied as a result of a drug conviction.
Specific information on state and local legal penalties for drug violations may be obtained on state law enforcement websites.
3. INFORMATION RELATING TO HEALTH RISKS FROM DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
- Students and employees, including faculty, of USAHS should be aware and informed that health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol can result in, but are not limited to, a lowered immune system, damage to critical nerve cells, physical dependency, lung damage, heart problems, liver disease, physical and mental depression, increased infection, irreversible memory loss, personality changes, and thought disorders.
- Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse.
- Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death.
- Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics.
- Marijuana contains THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which accounts for most of its psychoactive or mind-altering effects. The short-term effects of using marijuana include sleepiness, memory and concentration problems, impaired motor coordination, increased heart rate, dry mouth and throat, and decreased social inhibitions. The long-term effects of using marijuana include impaired lung functioning, sexual problems, breast tissue development in men, and possible immune system damage.
- Stimulants increase the activity of the central nervous system. Examples include amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, and crack, which cause short-term elevations in mood, self-confidence, energy, heart rate, and blood pressure. Potential difficulties associated with the more powerful stimulants such as these include possible physical addiction, psychoses, severe depressions, and anxiety syndromes such as panic attacks and obsessions. Additional health risks include seizures and cardiac arrest.
- Hallucinogens are substances that distort perception of reality. The most well known hallucinogens include phencyclidine (PCP), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin. Under the influence of these drugs, the senses of direction, distance, and time become disoriented. They can produce unpredictable, erratic, and violent behavior in users that sometimes lead to serious injury and death. At high doses, LSD can cause convulsions, coma, heart and lung failure, and even death.
- Sedatives/tranquilizers are drugs used to reduce anxiety and tension. In some cases, they are used as sleep aids. Like alcohol, these drugs are central nervous system depressants. Examples include barbiturates such as Amytal, Nembutal, and Seconal, as well as benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Halcion, Librium, and Xanax. Rohypnol, a date rape drug, also falls into this category. Although specific effects may vary according to the particular drug, these drugs typically induce a state of relaxation and drowsiness. At high doses, dizziness, slurred speech, impaired coordination, and amnesia may occur. Health hazards include risk for addiction and coma and/or death from overdose.
- Narcotics are painkillers or analgesics. These drugs include morphine, heroin, codeine, and Dilaudid, all of which are derived from opium. Synthetic narcotics include drugs such as Demerol, Percodan, and Darvon. These drugs tend to reduce sensory feeling and sensitivity of all kinds, to pleasure as well as pain. In large doses, they induce drowsiness, mental clouding, lethargy, and even sleep. They are highly addictive. Overdose risks include convulsions, coma, and death.
- Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. These derivatives of testosterone promote the growth of skeletal muscle and increase lean body mass. The long-term, high-dose effects of steroid use are largely unknown. Major side effects of anabolic steroid use include liver tumors, jaundice, fluid retention, high blood pressure, acne, and trembling. Aggression and mood swings as well as other psychiatric side effects may result from their abuse.
- Students and employees should note that the above listing is not intended as all-inclusive. Further information may be gathered from a physician.
4. UNIVERSITY RESOURCES RELATED TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS
USAHS distributes materials and offers resources related to alcohol and drug abuse prevention awareness including the distribution of communications instructing students on how to access written materials relating to alcohol and drug abuse prevention.
5. COUNSELING, TREATMENT, AND SUPPORT GROUP RESOURCES FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION
Alcoholics Anonymous
Online: www.aa.org/pages/en_US/find-aa-resources
Narcotics Anonymous
Online: www.na.org/meetingsearch
6. DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences will not excuse misconduct by students whose judgment is impaired due to substance abuse. Students found in violation of this policy are subject to disciplinary action as provided in the applicable student handbook.
Revised June 2015
