E1.4 Substance Awareness and Statement of Compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

Executive

Effective Date: June 20, 2023
Last Reviewed: June 20, 2023

Introduction

Only in an environment free of substance abuse can Stonehill College fulfill its mission of developing the academic, professional, social, cultural, and intellectual potential of each member of the community. The use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol impair the safety and health of students and employees, inhibit personal and academic growth, and can adversely impact the living and learning environment within the community. For these reasons, the unlawful use of alcohol and other drugs is prohibited on campus and at College-sponsored activities.

Campus Prevention and Awareness Programs

Alcohol and other drug abuse education and prevention programs have been established and are coordinated by Student Affairs with assistance from Counseling Services, Health Services, and other College departments. Programs provide training and direct services to the College community and offer preventative education and outreach activities about the Substance Awareness Policy and alcohol and other drug abuse.

Select college staff, as well as student staff in the residence halls, receive training on a regular basis on issues regarding alcohol and other drug use and abuse.

Counseling Services and Health Services staff are available for consultation concerning individual students with alcohol or other drug problems. Services provided through Counseling Services include personal assessment and counseling, group discussion opportunities, educational and alternative programming, information on Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous, and referrals to outside agencies. Counseling Services and Health Services have established working relationships with area hospitals, community mental health centers, and other social service agencies to facilitate referrals when treatment is needed.

The Health and Wellness Office provides health education, awareness events, and prevention programs on a variety of topics including but not limited to stress reduction, physical activity, nutrition, smoking cessation, and healthy relationships throughout the entire academic year. Services range from workshops, individual consultation, or presentations by request. The Office is located in the Roche Dining Commons, Room 101.

General Provisions

The students of Stonehill College shall not unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol. Any individual who violates this prohibition will be subject to disciplinary action. Sanctions may include mandatory participation in an alcohol or other drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program, separation or dismissal from residency or the College, or referral of the matter to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

Student Alcohol Policy

Stonehill complies with all federal and state laws and local ordinances regarding the possession, use, sale, and/or distribution of alcoholic beverages. In conjunction with and in addition to these laws and ordinances, the College has adopted certain standards to facilitate its regulation of the use and possession of alcohol by students and their guests. The following are considered violations of the College’s standards with respect to the use, possession, and distribution of alcohol:

Violation of any alcohol or alcohol-related federal, state, or local law or ordinance.
(Deleted)
Possession (this applies to full, partially full, and empty containers), use, or distribution of alcohol by a student, under the age of 21, or possession, use or distribution of alcohol by the guest of a student, under the age of 21 even if the guest is age 21 or older.
Procuring or providing alcohol to a student or guest who is under the age of 21.
Failing to abide by the drinking laws of the immediate locale while on an away program or College-sponsored or approved trip or program.
Possession, use, sale, or distribution of a false identification card, wristband, or other age or identity verification form.
Use of an alcohol container as room decoration, vase, or storage item.
Possession of alcohol in a residence hall, or common area of a residence hall, in which alcohol is not allowed based on the dry status of the hall or area.
Possession of an open container of alcohol in an area designated as a public area by the College without prior approval from the Vice President for Student Affairs or the designated College official sponsoring, hosting, or supervising an event in a public area.
Possession by a student, age 21 or older, or possession by the guest of a student, age 21 or older, of an amount of alcohol over the limits specified (limits apply to full, partially full, and empty containers) by the College.

The limits specified by the College are:

Twelve 12-ounce coolers, malts, seltzers, or beers

Two 750 ml. bottles of wine

One pint of hard liquor up to 80 proof.

The total amount of alcohol in a residence hall room may not exceed the total amount permitted for the residents of the room, age 21 or older.

Possession of alcohol at a College event without prior approval by the Director of Student Engagement or the designated College official sponsoring, hosting, or in charge of the event.
Public intoxication, either on or off campus, or at College sponsored or sanctioned programs or activities. Intoxicated students and their guests will not be permitted entrance to College-sponsored activities. Intoxicated students or intoxicated guests in need of medical attention may be transported to the hospital for emergency care. Intoxicated students or intoxicated guests may be placed into protective custody by Stonehill Campus Police and transported to the Easton Police Department. All costs will be charged back to the student.
Possession of a drinking game or the use or possession of a board game, table game, ice luge, drinking funnel, beer tap, or other device – with or without alcohol – that promotes or encourages abusive drinking or is used in a way that promotes or encourages abusive drinking.
Operation of motor vehicle which contains alcohol, by a student under the age of 21, regardless of the age of any passenger in the vehicle.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Student drivers may be asked to take sobriety tests. A student driver who fails a sobriety test may have their car towed to a storage facility for pick-up when the student is sober enough to drive. All towing costs are the responsibility of the student driver.
Possession of a full to empty common source of alcohol, regardless of the size(s) or the container(s). A common source of alcohol includes, but is not limited to, a keg, pony keg, beer ball, punch bowl (with or without alcohol), or gelatin shots.
Commercial delivery of alcoholic beverages to the residence halls or the College’s Mail Services.
Use of alcoholic beverages to render another person physically or emotionally incapacitated.
Creation of materials that promote alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Athletic teams, club sports teams, student organizations, residence hall councils, and other groups or individuals are prohibited from creating marketing or promotional material such as clothing that promotes alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. In addition, such items may not discriminate against individuals or groups and must be approved by the appropriate College official listed below. Appropriate College official must also approve the use of the Stonehill name, logo, or likeness. Questions concerning this policy may be directed to the Student Affairs Office. Athletic teams and Club sports teams must receive the approval of the Director of Athletics, or designee. Recognized clubs and organizations must receive the approval of the Director of Student Engagement, or designee. Residence hall councils must receive the approval of the Director of Residence Life, or designee.
Possession or a full or empty excessive amount of alcohol. An excessive amount may include any amount of alcohol over the limits specified.
Being in the presence of alcohol in a residence hall, or common area of a residence hall, in which alcohol is not allowed based on the dry status of the hall or area is strictly prohibited.

Socializing in the Residence Halls

Students may entertain or socialize in their individual rooms and in common areas. Students are permitted to have alcohol present in common areas within the residence halls when certain conditions apply. All common areas are considered alcohol-free during exam periods, when the residence halls are closed, during the summer, and during other times designated by the Office of Residence Life.

Students must be in compliance with guest, alcohol, and quiet hours policies and may not disrupt the learning or living activities of others while entertaining. The Director of Residence Life, or designee, reserves the right to revoke the privilege of having alcohol in common areas within residence halls at any time.

For specific information regarding alcohol in the residence halls, as well as occupancy limits, please refer to the procedures regarding Socializing in the Residence Halls, posted on the Residence Life website.

Student Programs with Alcohol

The Director of Student Engagement, or designee, has primary responsibility for determining the circumstances and whether or not alcoholic beverages will be served at student programs held on or off campus.
Students, age 21 or older, must present 2 forms of ID to enter the alcohol service area. Massachusetts residents must present a current Stonehill College ID card and a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or valid Massachusetts Liquor ID card. Out-of-state residents must present a current Stonehill College ID card and a valid driver’s license (not a duplicate) that confirms the student’s date of birth documented in College records.
Guests, age 21 or older, must present a valid driver’s license (not a duplicate) and a valid guest pass and must be accompanied by their host at all times. In order to enter the alcohol service area, guests, age 21 or older, must be accompanied by their host, who must be age 21 or older. Up to two guests per current student will be allowed.
Students and their guests may not attempt to or bring alcohol into student programs or attempt to or remove alcohol from the service area or student programs.
Underage students and their guests, regardless of age, may not attempt to enter the alcohol service area.
Safeguards must be taken to ensure an orderly function to protect the rights of other members of the community against undue interference, noise and other disturbances.
Students may be refused admission to a student program if the validity of their identification is questionable or if students are intoxicated or disruptive.
The sponsoring organization shall abide by the established laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ordinances of the Town of Easton, and policies of Stonehill College.
Student organizations may not use student fees to purchase alcoholic beverages for student use.
Alcoholic beverages may not be offered free of charge to any participant at a student program.
When alcoholic beverages are served, food and nonalcoholic beverages must be made available. The cost of refreshments must not be prohibitive. Alcoholic beverages may not continue to be served if nonalcoholic beverages run out. When alcoholic beverages are served, the student program must be supportive of alcohol education programs that encourage responsible decisions about the use or non-use of alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages may not be provided as awards.
Advertising promoting alcoholic beverages must not encourage any form of alcohol abuse or place any emphasis on quantity or frequency of use. The advertising of alcoholic beverages on campus may not portray drinking as a solution to personal or academic problems or as necessary for social, sexual, or academic success. Advertising of alcoholic beverages and other promotional beverages may not associate alcoholic beverage consumption with the performance of tasks that require skilled reactions such as driving or playing sports. All posters must be in accordance with the College’s Advertising Policy.
If a student program is held off campus, the contracted server/facility must agree in writing that it agrees to assume all responsibility for serving alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages may not be served in common sources when students have direct access to serve themselves.

Smoking on Campus

Smoking is prohibited in all campus buildings and facilities including all of the student residence halls.
Individuals who choose to smoke cigarettes are expected to be at least 25 feet from the building so as not to allow smoke to travel back into the building.
Individuals who choose to smoke are expected to dispose of cigarettes and their packaging in proper trash receptacles.
Possession or use of bongs, hookahs, pipes, electronic cigarettes, and vaporizers is strictly prohibited (see Student Drug Policy below).

Student Drug Policy

The possession, or intent to possess or purchase illegal or prohibited drugs, including unauthorized possession of prescription drugs, is strictly prohibited.
The use of illegal or prohibited drugs, including being under the influence of illegal or prohibited drugs and the unauthorized use of prescription drugs prescribed, is strictly prohibited.
The distribution or intent to distribute illegal or prohibited drugs, including unauthorized distribution of prescription drugs, is strictly prohibited.
Being a student in the presence of illegal or prohibited drugs* is strictly prohibited.
As required by federal law, students are required to notify the College’s Director of Student Financial Assistance, or designee, within 5 days of being convicted of violating a criminal drug statue.
The use of drugs to render another person physically or emotionally incapacitated is strictly prohibited.
The possession, use, sale, or distribution of drug paraphernalia is strictly prohibited. Drug paraphernalia is defined as any equipment, product, or material that has been or may be modified for making, using, or concealing illegal drugs such as bongs, electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, grinders, rolling papers, and hookah pipes.
Stonehill College does not distinguish between civil and criminal penalties associated with possession of marijuana. Possession or use of marijuana, regardless of the amount or form, is strictly prohibited. This includes but is not limited to edibles, concentrates, synthetics, etc. While the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has legalized the use of medical and recreational marijuana, Federal law, including the Drug Free Schools Act, continues to prohibit marijuana; therefore, the possession or use of marijuana is prohibited on campus property or at campus-sponsored events.

Effects of 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 sexual and physical 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 other youngsters of becoming alcoholics.

Effects of Drugs

Cocaine or crack use may be fatal, depending upon the cardiovascular response of the user. This drug is highly addictive and withdrawal results in severe depression. Tranquilizers and sedatives are also highly addictive, even in low doses. Use of these drugs in conjunction with alcohol is extremely dangerous and may result in the user becoming comatose.

The intravenous use of drugs carries the additional risk of infection due to shared needles. HIV and hepatitis are transmitted in this way. Marijuana has properties of both depressants and stimulants and is considered a psychoactive drug. Marijuana contains more tar than tobacco and causes lung and bronchial disease, a chronic dry cough and respiratory irritation.

Continued marijuana use has also been connected with memory loss and a motivational syndrome. Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide and may cause cancer and bronchial disease, a chronic cough and respiratory irritation. Smoking by pregnant women may result in fetal injury, premature birth and low birth weight. Chewing of tobacco may cause cancer.

Additional Assistance

Help concerning drug and alcohol-related problems is available from several sources. Individuals needing personal assistance, individuals who know of someone who needs help or individuals with questions concerning alcohol and drug abuse may contact any of the following:

On-Campus Resources

Counseling Services
Chapel of Mary
508-565-1331

Health Services
Chapel of Mary
508-565-1307

Health and Wellness Education
Roche Dining Commons, Room 101
508-565-1544

Student Affairs
Duffy Academic Center, Room 146
508-565-1363

Local Off-Campus Resources

Gosnold Counseling Center
909 Sumner Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
508-584-5190

South Bay Community Services, Brockton Mental Health Clinic
103 Commercial Street, 2nd Floor, Brockton, MA 02302
508-580-4691

High Point Treatment Center
20 Meadowbrook Road, Brockton, MA 02301
508-584-9210

Additional Resources

Alcoholics Anonymous
Eastern MA Central Service
617-426-9444

Al-Anon and Ala-teen
888-425-2666

Narcotics Anonymous New England Region
866-624-3578

Marijuana Anonymous
800-766-6779

Biennial Review

In compliance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, Stonehill College will conduct a biennial review of the College’s alcohol and other drug programs, which will be coordinated by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. According to the Act, the biennial review is due by October 1st of every even numbered year.

Controlled Substances: Uses and Effects

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse Commonly Abused Drugs Chart can be found on this website.

Narcotics

Possible Effects: Euphoria, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea

Effects of Overdose: Slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, confusion, extreme drowsiness, constructed pupils, possible death

Withdrawal Syndrome: Watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, loss of appetite, irritability, tremors, panic, cramps, nausea, chills and sweating, depression vomiting increased heart rate and blood pressure

Drug Name	Trade/Other Name	Medical Uses	Dependence Physical/ Psychological
Opium	Dover’s Powder, Paregoric, Parepectolin	Analgesic, antidiarrheal	High/High
Morphine	MS-Contin, Roxanol, Roxanol SR	Analgesic, antitussive	High/High
Codeine	Tylenol w/Codeine, Empirin w/Codeine, Robitussan A-C, Florinal w/Codeine, Robitussin A-C	Analgesic, antitussive	Moderate/Moderate
Heroin	Horse, Smack, Junk H, Black Tar Dope, Diacetylmorphine	None	High/High
Hydromorphone	Dilaudid	Analgesic	High/High
Meperidine	Demerol, Mepergan	Analgesic	High/High
Methadone	Methadose, Dolophine	Analgesic	High/High-Low

Depressants

Possible Effects: Slurred speech, disorientation, vomiting, drunken behavior without the odor of alcohol, amnesia

Effects of Overdose: Shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, possible death

Withdrawal Syndrome: Anxiety, insomnia, terrors, delirium, convulsions, possible death

Drug Name	Trade/Other Name	Medical Uses	Dependence Physical/ Psychological
Chloral Hydrate	Noctec	Hypnotic	Moderate/Moderate
Barbiturates	Amytal, Seconal, Butisol, Florinal Lotusate, Tuinal, Nembutal, Phenobarbital	Anesthetic, anticonvulsant, sedative, hypnotic, veterinary euthanasic agent	High-Moderate/High-Moderate
Benzodiazepines	Dalmane, Serax, Xanax, Diazepam, Librium, Ativan, Valium, Versed	Antianxiety, sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant	Low/Low
Methaqualone	Quaalude	Sedative, hypnotic	High/High
Glutethimide	Doriden	Sedative, hypnotic	High/Moderate

Stimulants

Possible Effects: Increased alertness, excitation, euphoria, increased pulse rate and blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite, paranoia

Effects of Overdose: Agitation, increase in body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, possible death

Withdrawal Syndrome: Apathy, long periods of sleep (extreme fatigue), irritability, anxiety, depression, disorientation, drug craving

Drug Name	Trade/Other Name	Medical Uses	Dependence Physical/ Psychological
Cocaine	Coke, Flake, Snow, Crack, Freebase	Local anesthetic	Possible/High
Amphetamines	Biphetamine, Delcobase, Desoxyn, Dexedrine Obetrol	Attention Deficit Disorders, narcolepsy, weight control	Possible/High
Phenmetrazine	Preludin	Weight control	Possible/High
Methylphenidate	Ritalin	Attention Deficit Disorders, narcolepsy	Possible/Moderate

Hallucinogens

Possible Effects: Illusions and hallucinations, poor perception of time and distance, increased heart rate, dilated pupils

Effects of Overdose: Longer, more intense “trip” episodes, possible psychosis, possible death, respiratory depression, convulsions, coma

Withdrawal Syndrome: Withdrawal syndrome not reported (unknown)

Drug Name	Trade/Other Name	Medical Uses	Dependence Physical/ Psychological
LSD	Acid, Microdot	None	None/Unknown
Mescaline/Peyote	Mexc, Buttons, Cactus	None	None/Unknown
Amphetamine	2.5-DMA, PMA, TMA. DOM, DOB, MDMA STP, MDA	None	Unknown/Unknown
Phencyclidine	PCP, Angel Dust, Hog	None	Unknown/High
Phencyclidine Analogues	PCE, PCPy, TCP	None	Unknown/High

Cannabis

Possible Effects: Impaired judgment, euphoria, reduced inhibitions, increased appetite, disorientation, cancer risk

Effects of Overdose: Fatigue, paranoia, possible psychosis

Withdrawal Syndrome: Insomnia, hyperactivity, loss of appetite

Drug Name	Trade/Other Name	Medical Uses	Dependence Physical/ Psychological
Marijuana	Pot, Weed, Acapulco Gold, Grass, Reefer	None	Unknown/Moderate
Tetrahydrocannabinol	THC, Marinol	Antinauseant, Cancer, Chemotherapy	Unknown/Moderate
Hashish	Hash	None	Unknown/Moderate
Hashish Oil	Hash Oil	None	Unknown/Moderate