Drug-Free Campus Policy Alcohol and Controlled Substances
DRUG-FREE CAMPUS POLICY
(Alcohol and Controlled Substances)
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
SUNY Adirondack has a vital interest in ensuring safe, healthful, and efficient conditions for all students, faculty, and staff and in helping each to become optimally contributing members of society. In addition, as a federal contractor (or grantee), it has a duty to safely and efficiently provide the public with quality education. The unlawful presence of controlled substances and illicit drugs on the campus conflicts with these vital interests and constitutes a violation of the public trust. For these reasons, the College has established, as a condition of one’s enrollment and continued enrollment, the following drug-free campus policy.
I. Standards of Conduct Prohibiting Illicit Drug and Alcohol Abuse
A. Prohibition against Unlawful Presence of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol On-Campus
The possession, sale, manufacture or distribution of any controlled substance or drug paraphernalia is illegal under both state and federal laws. Such laws are strictly enforced by the SUNY Adirondack Office of Public Safety. Violators are subject to College disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, fine and imprisonment. It is unlawful to sell, furnish or provide alcohol to a person under the age of 21. The possession of alcohol by anyone less than 21 years of age in a public place or a place open to the public is illegal. It is also a violation of the SUNY Adirondack Alcohol Policy for anyone to consume, possess, or be in the presence of alcohol in any public or private area of campus without prior College approval. Individuals, organizations or groups violating alcohol/substance policies or laws may be subject to sanctions
B. College Sanctions for Violation of Drug-Free Campus Policy
Any student who violates the foregoing drug-free campus policy shall, subject to provisions of the College’s Code of Conduct found in the Student Handbook, be subject to disciplinary procedures consistent with applicable laws, rules and regulations. These sanctions may include expulsion, termination of on-campus employment, referral for prosecution, or participation in an approved drug or alcohol assistance program.
C. College’s Code of Conduct
A student enrolling at SUNY Adirondack assumes an obligation to conduct oneself in a manner compatible with the functions of the College as an educational institution. All conduct which adversely affects the student’s suitability as a member of the academic community shall result in appropriate disciplinary action. (See Code of Conduct)
D. Statement on Public Order
The College is a public institution operated for the purpose of providing educational opportunities to students and to support cultural and intellectual aspects of the area. College students, faculty, staff, employees and visitors to the campus are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the law and with College rules and regulations at all times.
The College rules and regulations prohibit, among other things, any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of alcohol or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization. Such rules and regulations shall be deemed to be part of the by-laws of all organizations operated on campus which shall review annually such by-laws with individuals affiliated with such organizations. In addition to the penalties outlined below for individuals, an organization which authorizes such conduct will be subject to the revision of permission for the organization to operate on campus property and to continue as a sanctioned organization.
E. Statement on College’s Cooperation with Law Enforcement Officials
The College will cooperate fully and completely with local or state authorities on any case of suspected use, possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. In the event that any student is apprehended by local, state or federal authorities for the offense of use, possession or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol, that student will not be in any way protected by the College. A student convicted of violating civil law may be subject to separation from the College.
II. Health Risks Associated with Illicit Drug and Alcohol
In order to be informed citizens, we all need to be aware of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse. The following is a brief summary of some of the health hazards caused by the use of:
A. Alcohol
Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses can 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 spousal 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. 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 other youngsters of becoming alcoholics.
Studies show that alcohol is involved in:
95% of all campus violent crime
90% of rapes, where alcohol was used by the assailant, victim or both.
B. Controlled Substances
There is overwhelming evidence that illegal drug use leads to academic failure, failure to get a job, failure to keep a job and maintenance of good health, as well as creating other problems.
III. Legal Sanctions Imposed for Illicit Drug and Alcohol Abuse
The sale, use, possession, manufacture or distribution of prohibited drugs, other controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or loitering with the intent of engaging in any of these activities, is prohibited on any College or College-related property.
The term “drug” includes all controlled substances defined in section 220.00 of the New York State Penal Law as well as cannabis/marijuana which is federally prohibited under the federal Controlled Substances [Act].
The term “drug paraphernalia” includes any materials, or tools used for inhaling, ingesting, or otherwise metabolizing drugs into the human body. It also includes the possession of all implements, or equipment designed for use, in growing, manufacturing, processing, storing, or concealing drugs. Examples include but are not limited to;
• Cannabis/Marijuana- SUNY campuses are bound by the federal requirements under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act- use, possession, cultivation and sale of marijuana remains prohibited as it remains illegal at the federal level.
New York State Law regarding recreational use of marijuana changed on March 31, 2021. A person guilty of unlawful possession of cannabis when he or she knowingly and unlawfully possesses cannabis and such cannabis weighs more than three ounces or concentrated cannabis and such concentrated cannabis weighs more than twenty-four grams. Unlawful possession of cannabis is a violation punishable by a fine or not more than one hundred twenty-five dollars under New York Law.
• Cocaine & Heroin – crack pipes, straws, dollar bills, razor blades, mirrors, spoons, needles, syringes, tubes or hoses
• Other – pill presses, capsules, crackers, whip-its, aerosol spray cans; paint, glue and other chemicals; as well as, light bulbs, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and other makeshift devices
The College will cooperate fully and completely with Local or State authorities on any case of suspected illegal use, possession or redistribution of State controlled drugs.
Students and employees are prohibited from possessing or using alcohol or illegal drugs on campus or during any college activity. Any student or employee who is apprehended for the same will in no way be protected by the College. The offender may also face separate disciplinary action by the College.
Preventing the spread of unlawful possession, use and distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol is everyone’s responsibility. If you wish to report illegal drug activity, you can make a toll-free call to: 1-800-GIVE-TIP. Calls will be received in complete confidence and will be referred to the appropriate Federal, State, or local authority. Considerations regarding a few of the state legal sanctions follow:
Articles 220 and 221 of the Penal Law are directly aimed at unlawful traffic in mind-affecting drugs. They are compatible with the Public Health Law and the provisions of the latter are often cross-referenced in the Penal Law sections that deal with the different drugs. Articles 220 and 221 set criminal penalties for possession or sale of drugs considered harmful or subject to abuse. The seriousness of the offense and penalty imposed upon conviction depend upon the individual drug and amount held or sold.
Section 220.44 makes a sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds, to a person less than 19 years of age, Class B felony. 220.45 makes criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument a Class A misdemeanor. 220.46 makes criminal injection of another person with a narcotic drug, with consent of that person, a Class E felony. 220.50 bans possession or sale of drug paraphernalia; deals with things that dilute drugs, like dextrose or mannite; and gelatin capsules, plastic envelopes, etc., considered commercial preparation materials (Class E felony). 220.60 makes criminal possession of certain “precursors” of controlled substances used in their preparation or manufacture but not the drugs themselves a Class E felony (for example, ergot or diethylamide).
It is important to be aware that under the Penal Law, a gift of drugs, including marijuana, is treated as a sale. New York State Penal Law defines a misdemeanor as a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than 15 days but not more than one year. A felony is a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
IV. Assistance in Matters Related to Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Health and Wellness, Counseling, Residence Life and the Dean for Student Affairs office will offer various workshops, activities and outreach related to preventing substance use and misuse throughout each semester. The College is currently partnering with the Council for Prevention on the enhancement of substance use prevention programs on our campus.