Drugs
The University of Findlay recognizes that the sale, possession, or use of central nervous system stimulants and depressants, narcotics, and hallucinogenic drugs is incompatible with state and federal law. Findlay is also aware of considerable medical evidence that the use of drugs of this kind, except under medical supervision, may induce physical and emotional dependence on their use and that such use may be dangerously harmful to the student user and may seriously jeopardize the student’s performance in college.
Considering these facts, The University of Findlay will not permit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of marijuana, narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, prescription drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, and/or any other illegal substances. Violators of this policy will be subject to suspension from Findlay.
Due to the complexity of the drug problem and the personal difficulties it may cause, Findlay provides counseling through Counseling Services and Health Services for persons who wish to resolve their problem on a voluntary and confidential basis.
The University of Findlay’s Drug Prevention Program
The U.S. Department of Education requires that every institution adopt and implement a drug prevention program policy that is then distributed to University employees and students. The philosophy and the specific guidelines of The University of Findlay’s drug prevention program policy are shared in the text that follows.
Philosophy:
Since the primary objective of the University is to contribute to the growth of the student and to provide positive faculty and staff role models, the University works to maintain an environment free from conditions that may prove harmful. The behavior resulting from the use of drugs and alcohol can endanger both the individual user and others, and often limits one’s full participation in and contribution to the total program of the University. As a result, the use of drugs and alcohol is incompatible with the educational process and inconsistent with the basic purpose of any academic community.
The main focus of the University’s program is to provide both curricular and extracurricular education and prevention activities. The goal of these activities is to foster a campus environment in which drug and alcohol use are perceived as negative and undesirable.
I. Standards of Conduct
The possession of, distribution, cultivation or use by any student or employee of any narcotic or hallucinogenic drugs (e.g. marijuana, cocaine, GHB, Rohypnol, …) in either the refined or crude form, except under the direction of a licensed physician, is prohibited on University owned or controlled properties and at functions sponsored by The University of Findlay off campus. Non-Medical use of prescription medication is prohibited, including taking prescription medications not prescribed to the student, distributing personal prescription medication to others, whether for a fee or for free, using the prescriptions in manners not intended by the prescribing physician (i.e. nasal ingestion), or misusing medication for a desired effect not intended by the prescribing physician.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on University owned or controlled properties or at functions sponsored by The University of Findlay off campus.
II. Legal Sanctions Under Local, State, and Federal Law for the Unlawful Possession or Distribution of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol
A. Local Sanctions for Possession and Distribution—Local sanctions are consistent with Ohio law as listed as follows in II.B.
B. State Sanctions for Possession and Distribution—Ohio law prohibits illicit selling, cultivating, manufacturing, or otherwise trafficking in controlled substances, including, but not limited to, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines and marijuana; knowingly or recklessly furnishing them to a minor; and administering them to any person by force, threat, or deception with the intent to cause serious harm or if serious harm results. These offenses are felonies. The law also prohibits knowingly obtaining, possessing or using a controlled substance and permitting drug use on one’s premises or in one’s vehicle. These offenses may be either felonies or misdemeanors. The law further prohibits obtaining, possessing or using hypodermics for unlawful administration of drugs, and the sale to juveniles of paraphernalia for use with marijuana. These offenses are misdemeanors. A felony conviction may lead to imprisonment or both imprisonment and fine. The maximum prison term is twenty-five years. A misdemeanor conviction may lead to imprisonment for up to six months and/or a fine of up to $1,000. With regard to alcohol, Ohio law provides that a person under twenty-one years of age who orders, pays for, attempts to purchase, possesses or consumes alcohol, or furnishes false information in order to effect a purchase, commits a misdemeanor. Ohio law prohibits the possession of alcohol which was not lawfully purchased, and a court may order that any place where alcohol is unlawfully sold not be occupied for one year, or that the owner or occupant of the premises be required to furnish a surety bond of $1,000 to $5,000.
C. Federal Sanctions for Possession and Distribution—Federal law forbids the illegal possession of and trafficking in controlled substances. A person convicted for the first time of possessing a controlled substance, other than crack cocaine, may be sentenced to up to one year in prison and fined between $1,000 and $100,000. A second conviction carries a prison term of up to two years and a fine of up to $250,000. Subsequent convictions carry prison terms of up to three years and fines of up to $250,000. Imprisonment for five to twenty years and fines of up to $250,000 apply to persons possessing more than five grams of crack cocaine on the first conviction, three grams on the second and one gram on subsequent convictions. In addition to the above sanctions, a person convicted of possessing a controlled substance may be punished by forfeiture of property used to possess or facilitate possession, if the offense is punishable by more than one year in prison; forfeiture of any conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance; denial of federal benefits, such as student loans, for up to five years; ineligibility to receive or purchase a firearm; and a civil penalty of up to $10,000.
III. Description of Health Risks Associated with the Use of Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol
Alcohol (* see "Special Note on Alcohol")
Health Effects: Causes depression, aggression, slurred speech, muscular incoordination. Frequent use can lead to cirrhosis of liver, pancreatitis, brain disorders, vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition, and addiction. Large doses can cause unconsciousness and death.
Symptoms: Puffiness of face, redness of eyes, depression, disorientation, shallow respiration, nausea, dehydration.
Duration: 1-12 hours.
Marijuana
Health Effects: Can impair memory perception and judgment by destroying brain cells. Raises blood pressure. Contains more known carcinogens that cigarettes.
Symptoms: Euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, disoriented behavior, staring off into space, hilarity without cause, time distortion, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and throat.
Duration: 2-4 hours.
Barbiturates; Methaqualone
Health Effects: Can cause slurred speech, staggering gait, poor judgment, and slow uncertain reflexes. Large doses can cause unconsciousness and death.
Symptoms: Slurred speech, disorientation, and drunken behavior with no odor of alcohol. Sedation.
Duration: 1-16 hours.
Cocaine
Health Effects: Causes dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature. Can cause seizures, heart attacks and death.
Symptoms: Apathy, anxiety, sleeplessness, paranoia, hallucinations, craving for more cocaine. Weight loss. Constant sniffing.
Duration: ½ - 2 hours.
Crack Cocaine
Health Effects: More and stronger cocaine is getting to the brain quicker, increasing risks of cocaine use.
Symptoms: same as cocaine.
Duration: 5-10 minutes.
Amphetamines
Health Effects: Increases heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. High doses can cause tremors, loss of coordination and death from stroke or heart failure. Frequent use of large amounts can produce brain damage, ulcers and malnutrition.
Symptoms: Decreased appetite, dilated pupils, sleeplessness, agitation, and unusual increase in activity.
Duration: ½ - 2 hours.
PCP or Phencyclidine
Health Effects: Increased heart rate and blood pressure, large doses can cause convulsions, comas, heart and lung failure and ruptured brain vessels. Users may show long-term effects on memory, judgment, concentration and perception.
Symptoms: Sweating, dizziness, numbness, hallucination, confusion, agitation, violence and aggression or silence and withdrawn state.
Duration: variable.
Heroin
Health Effects: Repeated use can lead to infections of heart lining and valves, skin abscesses and congested lungs. Can lead to convulsions, coma and death.
Symptoms: Watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, and loss of appetite, tremors, irritability, panic, chills, sweating, cramps, and nausea.
Duration: 12-24 hours.
Gas & Glue, Other Inhalants
Health Effects: Brain damage occurs when used over a long period of time. All these chemicals carry considerable risk, particularly of cardiac arrhythmia.
Symptoms: Very alert, keen senses, hallucinations, dizziness, scrambled words and disconnected sentences. Smells like whatever the substance is being used (i.e. gasoline).
Duration: variable.
Hallucinogens
Health Effects: Dilated pupils, nausea, increased blood pressure, hallucinations, stomach cramps, blackouts. Flashbacks, a recurrence of the drug effects, may be a problem for some.
Symptoms: Beady eyes, nervous, erratic behavior, crying, personality changes, "sees" smells, "hear" colors. Marked depersonalization.
Duration: 3-12 hours.
MDMA
Health Effects: Increased heart rate and blood pressure, blurred vision, chills, sweating, drastic increases in body temperature. Believed to cause permanent brain damage.
Symptoms: Confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, paranoia, muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea.
Duration: variable, up to days.
A special note on alcohol: 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 partner and child abuse, and sexual assaults. 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. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects just described.
Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.
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 others of developing alcoholism.
IV. Description of Drug or Alcohol Counseling and/or Treatment Availability
Through University counseling services, health services, and appropriate local agencies, The University of Findlay will assist individuals needing drug or alcohol counseling and/or treatment. A high quality effort will be made to enhance the institution’s capability for offering employees and students meaningful and helpful referral to treatment services when it becomes clear that neither campus prevention nor early intervention activities have met an individual’s needs. Counseling Services can provide other campus and community resources.
Campus Resources:
Counseling Services Bucher Center
307 Frazer Street
(419) 434-4526
Health Services Cosiano Health Center
120 W. Foulke Ave.
(419) 434-4550
Community Resources:
Century Health
1918 North Main Street
(419) 425-5050
AA Help Line
1-888-683-9768
24 hour Crisis Hot Line
1-888-936-7116
V. Disciplinary Sanctions
In order to assure that the University drug policy is implemented and at the same time protects the rights of the individual, the following procedures will be employed. When reports reach the appropriate vice president indicating possible drug abuse, the individual will be:
A. Apprised of this information
B. Reminded of the drug policy of the University
C. Urged or required (depending on the discretion of the appropriate vice president) to seek professional help. If required, documented evidence must be submitted and placed in that individual’s file.
D. Informed of additional procedures that may need to be employed up to and including expulsion or termination of employment or student status and referral for prosecution.
If necessary, an appropriate investigation and/or hearing will be conducted to pursue any alleged drug abuse on the part of an employee or student.
VI. Drug Program Evaluation
An advisory council will conduct a biennial review of the drug program to determine its effectiveness, to implement appropriate changes, and to ensure that its disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.
VII. References
AICUO Member Institutions Memorandum (Re: Drug-Free School and Communities Act Amendments of 1989), September 5, 1990, Larry H. Christman. Drugs of Abuse, 1989 Edition. U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Government Printing Office; Washington, D.C. 20402
Federal Register, Part II, Department of Education; Drug-Free Schools and Campuses; Final Regulations; Vol. 55, No. 159, Thursday, August 16, 1990.
VIII. Resources
Partnership for Drug Free America
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
UF Counseling Services