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Alcohol & Other Drugs

Drug-Free Statement

The following policy statement has been developed to ensure compliance with both the “Drug-Free Work Place Act of 1988” and the “Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989”. Northeastern State University recognizes that it is in the best interest of the University, its employees and its students, to promote a healthy and productive environment, to provide education and assistance, relative to the dangers involved in the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol. This responsibility demands implementation of programs and services which facilitate that effort.

University Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Policy

University Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Policy University policy strictly prohibits the illegal use, possession, manufacture, distribution and/or being under the influence of illegal drugs, controlled substances, 3.2 beer or alcoholic beverages in the work place, or its premises, University housing, as a part of any University-sponsored activity or recognized student organization activity.

The University has some students and employees who study and work in places other than the main campus in Tahlequah, and those students and employees are subject to the laws covering those localities. Further information regarding these local, state and federal laws may be found in the Offices of Student Affairs and Human Resources and is available to students and employees. Students and employees are encouraged to review this information.

All students and employees must abide by this policy as a condition of enrollment or employment. Continuance of employment or enrollment following receipt of this policy constitutes acceptance of this policy by the employee or student.

Potential Disciplinary Sanctions for Violation of Policy Sanctions for violation of this policy may include, but are not limited to, expulsion, termination of employment, referral for prosecution and/or completion, at the individual’s expense, of an appropriate rehabilitation program. Any disciplinary action shall be taken in accordance with applicable policies of Northeastern State University.

It should be noted by employees that they are also subject to the University’s Drug-Free Work Place Policy. Employees are referred to that policy for additional sanctions. It is also within the discretion of the University to refer any violations to the appropriate authorities for criminal prosecution.

Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Alcohol and other drug use represent serious threats to health and the quality of life. More than 25, 000 people die each year from drug-related accidents or health problems. With most drugs it is probable that users will develop psychological and physical dependence. The general categories of drugs and their effects are as follows:

• · Alcohol - short-term effects include behavioral changes, impairment of judgment and coordination, greater likelihood of aggressive acts, respiratory depression, irreversible physical and mental abnormalities in newborns (fetal alcohol syndrome) and death. Long- term effects of alcohol abuse include damage to the liver, heart and brain, ulcers, gastritis, malnutrition, delirium tremens and cancer. Alcohol combined with other barbiturates/ depressants can prove to be a deadly mixture.
• · Amphetamines/Stimulants (speed, uppers, crank, caffeine, etc.) - speed up the nervous system which can cause increased heart and breathing rates, higher blood pressure, decreased appetite, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, sleepiness, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, convulsions and death due to a stroke or heart failure.
• · Anabolic Steroids - seriously affect the liver, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems. They can cause sterility in males and females, as well as impotency in males.
• · Barbiturates/Depressants (downers, Quaaludes, Valium, etc.) - slows down the central nervous system which can cause decreased heart and breathing rates, lower blood pressure, slowed reactions, confusion, distortion of reality, convulsion, respiratory depression, coma and death. Depressants combined with alcohol can be lethal.
• · Cocaine/Crack - stimulates the central nervous system and is extremely addictive, both psychologically and physically. Effects include dilated pupils, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, appetite loss, hallucinations, paranoia, seizures, and death due to cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.
• · Hallucinogens (PCP, angel dust, LSD, etc.) - interrupt the functions of the part of the brain which controls the intellect and instincts. May result in self-inflicted injuries, impaired coordination, dulled senses, incoherent speech, depression, anxiety, violent behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, convulsions, coma, heart / lung failure.
• · Cannabis (marijuana, hashish, hash, etc.) - impairs short-term memory, comprehension, concentration, coordination, and motivation. May also cause paranoia and psychosis. Marijuana smoke contains more cancer causing agents than tobacco smoke. The way in which marijuana is smoked - deeply inhaled and held in the lungs for a long period - enhances the risk of getting cancer. Combined with alcohol, marijuana can produce a dangerous multiplied effect.
• · Narcotics (smack, horse, Demerol, Percodan, etc.) - initially produce feelings of euphoria often followed by drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. An overdose may result in convulsions, coma, and death. Tolerance develops rapidly and dependence is likely. Using contaminated syringes to inject such drugs may result in AIDS.
• · Tobacco/Nicotine - 170,000 people in the United States die each year from smoking related coronary heart disease. Some 30% of the 130,000 cancer deaths each year are linked to smoking. Lung, larynx, esophagus, bladder, pancreas and kidney cancers strike smokers at increased rates. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are ten times more likely among smokers.

Possible Legal Sanctions and Penalties

Local, state, and federal laws provide for a variety of legal sanctions and penalties for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. These sanctions include, but are not limited to, incarceration and monetary fines.

Federal law provides rather severe penalties for distributing or dispensing, or possessing with the intent to distribute or dispense a controlled substance, and penalties of a less severe nature for simple possession of a controlled substance. The type and quantity of the drug, whether the convicted person has any prior convictions, and whether death or previous injury resulted from the use of the drug in question (this, however, is no a factor in a case of simple possession) all affect the sentence. For example if it is your first offense (no prior convictions) and if less than 50 kilograms of marijuana are involved, then you are subject to imprisonment of not more than 5 years, a fine of $250,000, or both. If however, all other factors are the same as in the previous example, but 50-100 kilograms of marijuana are involved instead of 50, you are subject to imprisonment of not more than 20 years, unless death or serious injury results from the marijuana use, then you are subject to not less that 20 years or life, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. While the penalties for simple possession are less severe, the first conviction still carries a sentence of up to a year imprisonment, a fine of at least $1,000 but not more than $100,000, or both. With regard to simple possession, the number of convictions makes both the minimum period of imprisonment and fines greater. Under special provisions for possession of crack, a person may be sentenced to a mandatory term of at least 5 years in prison and not more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000, or both.

State law provides similar penalties with regard to the simple possession, distribution, or possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Simple possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor and carries a punishment of up to 1 year in the county jail. A second or subsequent conviction for simple possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute is a felony and carries a punishment of 2 years to life in the penitentiary and a fine of up to $20,000 for the first conviction. A second or subsequent conviction carries a punishment of 4 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $40,000. Depending upon the quantity involved, a convicted individual could be sentenced under the Oklahoma “Trafficking in Illegal Drugs Act” which provides for much harsher penalties.

In addition, state law provides that possession of or possession with the intent to consume 3.2 beer by someone under 21 years old in a public place is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $100.00 or by appropriate community service not to exceed 20 hours. Possession of other alcoholic/intoxicating beverages by someone under 21 years old in a public place is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days, a fine not to exceed $100.00, or both. There are also state laws concerning driving under the influence of alcohol and using a false driver’s license to obtain 3.2 beer other alcoholic beverages. Depending upon the number of previous convictions or gravity of the circumstances you may be convicted of a felony or misdemeanor for such an offense. It is most likely that you will also forfeit your driving privileges in the event you are convicted of such an offense.

The local ordinance for the city of Tahlequah regarding narcotics is as follows: It is unlawful for any person to appear or be upon or in any street, alley, place of business, or other public place while under the influence of opium or other narcotic; to use, have, or possess opium or other narcotic upon or in any street, alley, place of business, or other public place within the city; to use opium or other narcotic in any place within the city except as legally prescribed by a physician licensed to practice in the state; to loiter about a place where opium or other narcotic is sold or furnished illegally; or to sell or furnish illegally to another person opium or any other narcotic. “Narcotic” includes marijuana and any controlled dangerous drug as defined by Section 2-101 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes. (Or. No. 572, 5/2/77)

In addition, the local ordinance regarding public intoxication is as follows: It is unlawful for any person to appear or be upon or in any street, alley, or other public place in the city in a state of intoxication. It is unlawful for any person to drink intoxicating liquor, beverage or any non-intoxicating beverage upon or in any street, alley, or other public place within the city. It is unlawful to use, sell or furnish to another any illegal drug or narcotic in any place in the city except as legally prescribed by a physician.

For the purposes of this section, a state of intoxication means the condition in which a person is under the influence of any intoxicating , non-intoxicating, spirituous, vinous or malt liquors, or any narcotic, to such extent as to deprive the person of his or her full physical or mental power.

Local ordinances, Section 10- 104, 401, 402, 404 pertain to narcotics, public intoxication, and possession and transportation of non-intoxicating beverages.

If drugs are involved, the city will most likely defer to the state or federal authorities because their penalties are more severe. If alcohol is involved, you may be convicted of violating both local and state law and punished according to both laws.

Please note local, state, and federal laws may change between notifications. It is the responsibility of campus community members to keep abreast of current laws.

Availability of Assistance and Educational Programs

Since drug and alcohol abuse constitute a major problem in today’s society, Northeastern State University will make special efforts to both educate and assist students concerning both areas. The following is a summary of the programs available:

• · Counseling, Awareness, Resources, and Education Program (CARE)
  Designed to increase student awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. CARE provides trained alcohol and drug abuse counselor(s) through Student Affairs.
• · Student Counseling Services
  Provides counseling to help students cope with problems stemming from alcohol or drug abuse by a family member(s) and friend(s). Student Counseling Services is available through Student Affairs.
• · Residence Halls Staff
  Provide advice and referral for counseling.
• · Student Health Center
  Provide counseling, and referral to appropriate on-campus and off-campus agencies which includes medical treatment.
• · Boost Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students (BACCHUS)
  BACCHUS is a NSU recognized student organization. This organization provides educational programs conducted by, and directed toward, Northeastern State University students. Activities include distribution of literature, showing of films on campus, coordinating education programs in the local grade and high schools, assisting in the establishment of BACCHUS chapters on other campuses, and sponsoring an annual “Alcohol and Drug Awareness Week” on the Northeastern State University campus.

It is the intent of Northeastern State University to expand current educational programs and services to decrease the risks to students resulting from alcohol and drug abuse. The following toll free, hotline numbers may be of use to someone needing help or advice.

• · National Institution on Drug Abuse Information and Referral
  1-800-662-HELP, M-F, 8:30-4:30
• · Safe & Drug-Free Schools
  1-800-624-0100, M-F, 8-5
• · National Council on Alcoholism
  1-800-622-2255, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
• · American Council for Drug Education
  1-800-488-DRUG
• · National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information
  1-800-SAYNOTO
• · Cocaine Helpline
  1-800-COCAINE
• · Reach-Out Hotline
  1-800-522-9054 (alcohol, drug crisis intervention, mental health and referral)

Any questions regarding the rules, regulations, and policies set forth in this statement may be referred to the Office of Student Affairs or Human Resources.