The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, Public Law 101-226, requires that colleges implement a program to prevent unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. It also requires colleges to provide information on health risks of alcohol and other drugs as well as laws and legal sanctions regarding possession and sale of alcohol or illegal sale or possession of drugs or alcohol. Finally, it requires that students and employees be informed of ways to get help.
Health Risks of Alcohol
Effects of alcohol use can include impaired judgment and compromised skills such as perception and reaction in driving an automobile. Moderate to large amounts of alcohol can cause respiratory failure and death. Regular consumption over time has been implicated in a number of diseases. Psychological and physical dependence are risks as well.
Alcohol Laws and Potential Penalties
In North Carolina it is illegal for someone under age 21 to purchase or possess alcohol and it is illegal for anyone to provide alcohol to a person who is under age 21. It is a violation of the law to use a fake ID to purchase alcohol or to gain admittance to a bar.
It is also illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in public areas. It is illegal to drive and drink at the same time. It is also illegal to drive while having a blood alcohol content (BAC) above .08 (above .00 for anyone under age 21).
These offenses typically result in a misdemeanor charge, fines, court costs, and possible court ordered assessment or educational classes. Driving under the influence of alcohol often results in a one year revocation of one’s driver license for a first offence. Some circumstances such as multiple violations or physical injury can result in prison time.
Drug Health Risks and Potential Legal Sanctions
Health risks of drug use and potential legal consequences are explained at:
Drug abuse health risks
Federal drug trafficking penalties
North Carolina drug penalties
Getting Help with a Drug or Alcohol Problem
Resources for getting help are listed at:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – SAMSHA
Alcoholics Anonymous – AA
Al-Anon
Narcotics Anonymous – NA
Health Risks
Outlined below is a listing of drugs of abuse and their health risks taken from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website. A complete resource guide provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration can be obtained by following this link.
Alcohol
Alcohol (beer, wine, or liquor) has a high potential for physical and psychological dependence as well as resulting in increased tolerance. Possible effects include impaired memory, slurred speech, drunken behavior, slow onset, vitamin deficiency, and organ damage. Overdose may result in vomiting, respiratory depression, loss of consciousness,
and possible death. Withdrawal may include trembling, anxiety, insomnia, vitamin deficiency, confusion, hallucinations, and convulsions.
Females 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. Alcohol use is often related to acquaintance
rape and failure to protect oneself from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Additionally, alcohol-related accidents are the number one cause of death in the 16- to 24-year-old age group.
Narcotics
Narcotics (including heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, and others) have a high potential for both physical and psychological dependence as well as resulting in increased tolerance. The possible effects of using narcotics include euphoria, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, and nausea. Overdose may result in shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and death. Withdrawal may include irritability, tremors, panic, nausea, chills, and sweating.
Other Depressants
Other depressants (including GHB or liquid ecstasy, valium, xanax, ambien, and barbiturates) have a potential for both physical and psychological dependence as well as resulting in increased tolerance. The possible side effects include slurred speech, disorientation, appearance of intoxication, and impaired memory. Overdose may result in shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma and possible death. Withdrawal may include anxiety, insomnia, tremors, delirium, convulsions, and possible death.
Stimulants
Stimulants (including cocaine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate) have a possible risk of physical dependence and high risk for psychological dependence. Tolerance can develop in all stimulants. The possible side effects include increased alertness, excitation, euphoria, increased pulse rate and blood pressure, insomnia, and decreased appetite. Overdose may result in agitation, increased body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, and possible death. Withdrawal may result in apathy, long periods of sleep, irritability, depression, and disorientation.
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens (including MDMA, LSD, Phencyclidine, and others) are less likely to result in physical dependence, with the exception of phencyclidines and analogs, and vary in terms of psychological dependence, ranging from none to moderate (MDMA) to high (phencyclidine and analogs). Tolerance can develop. Possible effects include heightened senses, teeth grinding, and dehydration (MDMA and analogs) and hallucinations, altered perception of time and distance in other types of hallucinogens. Overdose may result in increased body temperature and cardiac arrest for MDMA and more intense episodes for LSD. Some hallucinogens may result in muscle aches and depression when in withdrawal (MDMA) or may result in drug seeking behavior.
Cannabis
Cannabis includes marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and hashish or hashish oil. All may result in moderate psychological dependence with THC resulting in physical dependence. Tolerance can develop in all forms. Possible effects include euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, increased appetite, and disorientation. Overdose may result in fatigue, paranoia, and possible psychosis. Withdrawal may occasionally result in insomnia, hyperactivity, and decreased appetite.
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic Steroids (including testosterone and others) may result in psychological dependence. Less is known as to their potential for physical dependence and increased tolerance levels. Possible effects may include virilization, edema, testicular atrophy, gynecomastia, acne, and aggressive behavior. Effects of overdose are unknown. Withdrawal may possibly include depression.
Inhalants
Inhalants (including amyl and butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, and others) vary in their level of psychological dependence, with less known about their potential for physical dependence and tolerance. Possible effects may include flushing, hypotension, and headache, impaired memory, slurred speech, drunken behavior, slow onset, vitamin deficiency, and organ damage. Overdose may result in methemoglobinemia, vomiting, respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, and possible death. Withdrawal may result in agitation, trembling, anxiety, insomnia, vitamin deficiency, confusion, hallucinations, and convulsions.
Warning Signs of Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse
Some common behavior changes you may notice if someone you know is abusing drugs and alcohol are:
- Sudden or extreme change in friends, eating habits, sleeping patterns, physical appearance, coordination or school performance
- Loss of interest in hobbies or family activities
- Hostile or uncooperative attitude
- Secrecy about actions or possessions
- Stealing money or an unexplained need for money
- Medicine containers, despite a lack of illness, or drug paraphernalia in the individual’s room
- An unusual chemical or medicine smell on the individual or in the individual’s room