Responsible Office: Student Development Approved By: VP/Provost Approved Date: 8/1/2018 Effective Date: 8/1/2018 Category: Student Description/Purpose: As a part of SFU Drug Alcohol Pervention Program The Office of Alcohol and Drug Education makes the following information available to studnets: Health Effects of Alcohol Health Risks of Alcohol Use Health Effectand Other Drug Use Health Risk of Other Drug Use Legal Sanctions/Criminal Penalties Resources
Details: Appendix A: Information Supplementing the University Drug and Alcohol PolicyIntroductionToo much alcohol, too fast, can kill you. It is always okay not to drink. If you do choose to drink, make healthy choices. Following 0-1-3 can reduce impairment, health, and legal problems:
Zero alcohol intake if you are under 21 years old, sick, using medications or other drugs, pregnant, chemically dependent, driving, or have a strong family history of alcoholism 1 One drink per hour: Your body can only metabolize one average drink per hour. 3 No more than three drinks on any day, and never three drinks daily.
A human brain continues major development through age twenty-five. Drinking during this critical developmental periodespecially drinking to the point of getting drunkmay impair brain function for the rest of the persons life. Memory, motor skills, and coordination can be affected. Young people are particularly likely to binge drink and to suffer repeated bouts of withdrawal from alcohol. This repeated withdrawal may be a key reason for alcohols harmful effects on the brain.
Health Effects of AlcoholAlcohol 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 manual functions, severely altering a persons 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 indicated that children of alcoholic parents are at a greater risk of becoming alcoholics than other children. Health Risks of Alcohol UseThe following is a partial list of the adverse effects of alcohol use on the individual and society arranged by source. The Truth about Alcohol: Tips for Teens (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2003) Alcohol affects your brain. Drinking alcohol leads to a loss of concentration, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision memory lapses and even blackouts. Alcohol affects your body. Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer. Alcohol affects your self-control. Alcohol depresses your central nervous system, lowers your inhibitions, and impairs your judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, including having unprotected sex. This may expose you to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases or cause unwanted pregnancy. Alcohol can kill you. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to coma or even death. Also, in 1998, 35% of traffic deaths of 15- to 20-year-olds were alcohol-related. Top Ten Myths about Alcohol (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: National Institutes of Health) Can you hold your liquor? That is not a good thing. If you have to drink increasingly larger amounts of alcohol to get a buzz or get high, you are developing tolerance. This increases your vulnerability to many serious problems, including alcoholism. One in three 18- to 24-year-olds admitted to emergency rooms for serious injuries are intoxicated. And alcohol is also associated with homicides, suicides, and drowning. The Naked Truth: Alcohol and Your Body (FactsOnTap.org) The amount of alcohol it takes to make you pass out is dangerously close to the amount of alcohol it takes to kill you. A hangover is caused partly by the body being poisoned by alcohol and partly by the bodys reaction to withdrawal from alcohol. Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) Some medicines that you might never have suspected can react with alcohol, including many medications which can be purchased over-the-counterthat is, without a prescription. Even some herbal remedies can have harmful effects when combined with alcohol. Mixing alcohol with certain medications [both prescription and over-the-counter] can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of consciences. It can also put you at risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulties in breathing. In addition to these dangers, alcohol can make a medication less effective or even useless, or it may make the medication harmful or toxic to your body. Alcohol and medicines can interact harmfully even if they are not taken at the same time. Medications are safe and effective when used appropriately. Your pharmacist or other health care provider can help you determine which medications interact harmfully with alcohol. Facts about Women and AlcoholWomen are more susceptible to the influence of alcohol just prior to or during their menstrual cycle than at other times during their cycle. On average, a woman weighing 120 pounds requires 2.5 hours to metabolize one [standard] drink. A daily glass of wine with dinner can add 10 pounds per year. The course of alcohol addiction progresses at a faster rate among women than men. Health Effects and Other Drug UseAll drugseven over-the-counter and legal prescriptionshave possible side effects that can cause impairments for some people. However, these drugs are regulated, and risks are written on the packaging. With illegal drugs there are no guidelines, and you can never be sure of their strength or purity. Here are some things to consider:
Most, if not all, illegal drugs are mixed with impurities. You may not always get what you think youre getting!
Cocaine is highly addictive. It is easy to get addicted both psychologically and physically. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, remains in your body for one month following use. Marijuana smoke produces all of the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and contains 50 percent more of the cancer-causing chemicals. Alcohol and illicit drugs are major factors in a large proportion of unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, date rapes, accidental injuries, and deaths. Long-term drug use and addiction can cause lasting social effects as well as permanent physical damage. Every organ system can suffer especially the heart, liver, and brain. Health Risks of Other Drug UseThe following is a partial list of the adverse effects of drug use on the individual and society arranged by source. MarijuanaIt Can Leave You Breathless! Marijuana contains over 400 different chemicals including THC. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, remains in the fat cells of the body from 14 30 days. Marijuana use
Long-term, regular use of marijuana can have a permanent, negative effect on attention span, concentration, memory, judgment and logical thought. Smoking one marijuana cigarette is as harmful to the lungs as smoking approximately 4 - 5 regular cigarettes. Smoking both greatly increases the risk of developing emphysema, cancer and other lung diseases. Regular use of marijuana can affect fertility in males as it can suppress testosterone production. Drugs & PregnancyNo Way to Start a Life! And Drug Abuse & Pregnancy The use of marijuana during pregnancy may result in low birth weight and smaller length and head circumference in babies. Babies whose mothers smoked marijuana during pregnancy may have vision problems and shorter attention spans. Also, THC, the ingredient in marijuana that causes the high, accumulates in the mothers milk and transfers to nursing infants where is could cause harm to the babys development. The use of cocaine during pregnancy increases the risk of bleeding and premature delivery. Chronic use of cocaine causes an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. Nursing babies of cocaine abusers can also receive doses of cocaine through their mothers milk. Mental retardation and abnormal facial features have been seen in babies whose mothers used inhalants or solvents in combination with alcohol while they were pregnant. The use of solvents during pregnancy has also been linked to central nervous system defects in newborns. Heroin use during pregnancy increases the likelihood of stillbirths and neonatal deaths, and babies born to opiate-addicted mothers experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, tremulousness tremors, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, high-pitched crying, frantic fist sucking and seizures. Products such as spray paint, glues, felt-tip markers, typewriter correction fluid, poppers, and RUSH are considered inhalants. The immediate effects of sniffing inhalants are disorientation, confusion, feelings of drunkenness, possible hallucinations, incoherence and loss of memory. Sniffing inhalants can cause unpredictable or violent behavior in some persons. In other cases, it may cause someone to become withdrawn and isolated. Inhalant abuse can cause permanent brain, liver, heart and lung damage. AmphetaminesA Dead End Street! Amphetamines are used to treat some forms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy. The term amphetamine refers to three related drugs: amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine. Street names for amphetamines include: speed, white crosses, uppers, and crystal. Health risks associated with amphetamine use:
Synthetic anabolic steroids are drugs which act like the male hormone, testosteroneSome athletes use steroids to increase their strength, muscle mass, and endurance. While not all athletes use steroids, many weight lifters and body builders doAlso, some non-athletes who want well-defined muscular shape and attractive over-all body appearance use steroids.
A partial list of the adverse side-effects shared by male and female users includes:
Legal Sanctions / Criminal PenaltiesThe following represents a summary of relevant articles from the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. Statutes for alcohol violation come from the Pennsylvania Crimes Code Title 18, Pennsylvania Liquor Code Title 47.
A person, under the age of 21, commits a summary offense if he/she attempts to purchase, purchases, consumes, possesses or knowingly and intentionally transports any liquor or malt or brewed beverages. Maximum fine $300 plus court costs and mandatory loss of your drivers license for 90 days for a first offense, one year for a second offense and two years subsequent offenses. The police department making an arrest for 6308 is obligated to notify the parents or guardians of the minor charged (Pa C.S.A. 6308).
A person is guilty of a summary offense for a first violation and a misdemeanor of the third degree for any subsequent violations if he/she is under the age of 21 and knowingly and falsely represents him/herself to be 21 years of age or older, for the purpose of obtaining any liquor or malt or brewed beverages. Maximum fine is $500 plus court costs and loss of drivers license (Pa C.S.A. 6307). A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree if he/she knowingly, willfully, and falsely represents to any licensed dealer, or other person, that a minor is of legal age for the purpose of inducing a person to sell or furnish any liquor, malt or brewed beverages. The minimum penalty is a fine of not less than $300 (Pa C.S.A. 6309).
A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if he/she intentionally and knowingly sells or intentionally and knowingly furnishes, or purchases with the intent to sell or furnish, any liquor or malt or brewed beverages to a person who is less than 21 years or age. Minimum penalty for violating this subsection is a fine not less than $1000 for the first violation and a fine of $2500 for each subsequent violation plus court costs (Pa C.S.A. 6310.1A).
A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if he/she intentionally, knowingly or recklessly manufactures, makes, alters, sells or attempts to sell an identification card falsely representing the identity, birth date or age of another. Minimum penalty is a fine of not less than $1000 for the first violation and a fine of not less than $2500 for each subsequent violation (Pa C.S.A. 6310.2).
A person commits a summary offense for a first violation and a misdemeanor of the third degree for any subsequent violation if he/she is under 21 years of age and possesses an identification card that falsely identifies the person as being 21. It is also a violation to use the identification card of another individual. Minimum penalty is a fine not more than $500 plus court costs (Pa C.S.A. 6310.3).
It is unlawful for any person who is an operator or any occupant in a motor vehicle to be in possession of an open alcoholic beverage container or to consume any alcoholic beverages or controlled substances. This is a summary offense with a maximum penalty of $300 (Pa C.S.A. 7513).
A person is guilty of a summary offense if he/she appears in any public place under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Penalty is a maximum fine of $300 plus court costs (Pa C.S.A. 5505).
A minor (under 21 years of age) shall not drive, operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while having alcohol in his/her system. This is a summary offense with a fine of $100 (Pa C.S.A. 3718).
A person shall not drive, operate or be in physical control of the movement of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to a degree that renders the person incapable of safe driving. For an individual who is 21 years of age or older, the Blood Alcohol Content is .08, for a minor under 21, the Blood Alcohol Content is .02. It is a misdemeanor of the second degree for a first offense.
Pennsylvania Liquor Code Title 47 Sales of alcoholic beverages without a Liquor Control Board license or the purchase of such beverages from an unlicensed source of liquor or malt or brewed beverages are prohibited. Maximum penalty is $300 fine, 90 days in jail plus $200 per ounce of alcohol sold. (Approximately $4000 for each keg used illegally).
Loretto Borough Ordinance It is unlawful to possess an open container of all alcoholic beverage while in or upon public streets, alleys, parks or other public grounds. Fine is a maximum amount of $100 plus court costs.
Alcohol Liability in Pennsylvania In December 1986, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in a case titled Fasset vs. Delta Kappa Epsilon (New York), the Villanova chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon, et. al., reviewed the law of Pennsylvania concerning the liability of a social host who serves alcohol. The court held that particular defendants could be held liable if they had an intention to promote or facilitate the consumption of alcohol by a minor or attempted to aid in the consumption of alcohol by minors. Consequently, the court held that the president of the fraternity that sponsored the party (because he helped organize the party), the treasurer of the fraternity who signed a check for the purchase of the alcohol, and three other individuals who allowed their apartment to be used for the party where minors were served intoxicating beverages could all be held liable for injuries to the intoxicated minor and any third parties injured by the minor.
Thus, individuals in Pennsylvania who furnish alcoholic beverages to minors not only commit a violation of law, but they also render themselves potentially liable for any injuries the minor might sustain and for any injuries that third parties might sustain due to an act of an intoxicated minor. Individuals potentially liable for such damages include not only those who physically furnish the alcohol to the minor, but any persons who aid and assist in the furnishing of the alcohol through its purchase or through organizing, hosting, or supporting the event at which the alcohol is made available.
Federal Penalties and Sanctions for Illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance 21 U.S.C. 844 (a)
a) First conviction and amount of crack possessed exceeds 5 grams b) Second crack conviction and amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams c) Third or subsequent crack conviction and amount of crack possessed exceeds 1 gram. 21 U.S.C. 853 (a) (2) and 881 (a) (7)
21 U.S.C. 881 (a) (4)
21 U.S.C. 844 a
21 U.S.C. 853 a
18 U.S.C. 922 (g)
Miscellaneous
Note: These are only federal penalties and sanctions. Additional state penalties and sanctions may apply.
State Alcohol & Other Drug Violations & Penalties
Offense Penalty Fine Jail/Prison Alcohol Sanctions Misrepresentation of age to secure liquor First Offense up to $300 30 days or malt or brewed beverages Second offense up to $4,500 jail Misdemeanor Operators license suspended
Purchase, consumption, possession, or First Offense up to $300 30 days transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages Second Offense up to $500 jail Operators license suspended
Representing that minor is of age Misdemeanor NLT * $300
Inducement of minors to buy liquor or malt Misdemeanor NLT $300 or brewed beverages
Selling or furnishing liquor or malt or First Violation NLT $1,000 brewed beverages to minors Misdemeanor Subsequent Violation $2,500 for each
Manufacture or sale of First Violations NLT $1,000 false identification cards Misdemeanor Subsequent Violation NLT $2500 for each
Carrying a false I.D. card First Violation up to $300 30 days Summary Offense
Subsequent violation Up to $500 jail Misdemeanor Operators license suspended Restrictions on alcoholic beverages The driver of any vehicle may not consume Summary Offense up to $300 up to 30 days any alcoholic beverage or illegal drug Operators license suspended Operators license suspensions: First Offense 90 days Second Offense 1 year Third & Subsequent Offenses 2 years
the influence. Revocation of operating privileges
Other violations include bringing alcoholic beverages into the state without paying Pennsylvania taxes and selling or offering for sale alcoholic beverages without a liquor license. Violations of these laws can result in fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of vehicles.
*NLT means not less than Illicit Drug Sanctions
Trafficking drugs to minors within 1,000 feet of At least 1 year confinement, 2 years imprisonment if a school, college, or university.
Penalties under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) Federal Trafficking Penalties
Academic /Career RiskSaint Francis University students who intend to become educators need to be aware that state law requires that a report of their criminal history be submitted with their job application. Other academic major/careers may also be affected. Please see Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board publication 0307, Your Degree Does Not Matter This publication is available at the Alcohol and Drug Education Office on campus. Resources:Saint Francis University offers confidential, professional counseling and referrals for students needing assistance for problems relating to alcohol and drug abuse. Student may obtain information and assistance by contacting the University Counseling Center, located at 125 Francis Hall, phone 814-472- 3211. Alcohol and Drug educational sessions/training/materials may be obtained on campus through the Alcohol and Drug Education Center. The Alcohol and Drug Education Center offers programming year round, and is open to all members of the Saint Francis University Community. An experienced Alcohol and Drug Educator is available by appointment only. Students may obtain information and assistance by contacting the Alcohol and Drug Education Center located at 116 Padua Hall, phone 814-472-3332
Members of the university community who experience drug and or alcohol-related problems, or who are concerned about another who may be having such difficulties are encouraged to seek assistance. For assistance off-campus the following organizations provide local referrals and information on alcohol or drug abuse through nationwide hot-line services: Local Resources to Saint Francis University Phone Number Twin Lakes Center in Ebensburg (814) 472-7888 Michelle Thomas, CADC, LPC, Johnstown, (814) 421-5979 |
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