Information is included below about drug and alcohol use and abuse, health risks, legal and University sanctions, resources and support services available to anyone with concerns about alcohol and drug problems. Students may obtain a printed copy of these materials by contacting the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (Buchtel Hall 53), and employees should contact Human Resources (277 South Broadway).

Alcohol

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

liver disease, heart disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, slowed reaction, high blood pressure, stroke, birth defects, cancer of the esophagus, mouth, throat, and larynx (voice box), breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, unconsciousness, memory loss, impotence, weight gain, premature aging, bad breath, infertility, heart attacks, stomach ulcers, colitis, unconsciousness

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Purchase under 21: Maximum confinement of 180 days and fine of $1,000
Possession or consumption under 21: Maximum confinement of 180 days and fine of $1,000
Open container violation: Maximum fine of $100
Consumption in a motor vehicle: Maximum confinement of 30 days and fine of $250
Driving under the influence (new legal limit .08): Maximum confinement of 180 days and fine of $1,000

Marijuana

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

memory and learning difficulties, distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate, heart attack, burning and stinging of the mouth and throat, heavy cough, respiratory illnesses, cancer of the respiratory tract and lungs, decreased immune system functioning, depression, anxiety, personality disturbances, altered neurological development in infants, drug craving, irritability, sleeplessness, and anxiety, increased aggression

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Ranges from rehabilitation programs to substantial fines and long-term confinement
Sell, offer to sell, or distribute for sale: Penalty determined by amount of substance, with fines in large amounts (exceeding $1,000,000) and life imprisonment

NARCOTICS*

COCAINE & CRACK COCAINE

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

constricted peripheral blood vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, restlessness, irritability, and anxiety, paranoia, depression, ulceration of the mucous membrane of the nose, cardiac arrest or seizures, respiratory arrest

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Ranges from rehabilitation programs to substantial fines and long-term confinement
Sell, offer to sell, or distribute for sale: Penalty determined by the amount of substance, with fines in large amounts (exceeding $1,000,000) and life imprisonment

Heroin, Opium, Morphine, Codeine and Demerol

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

fatal overdose, spontaneous abortion, collapsed veins, infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, cellulitis, liver disease, pulmonary complications, pneumonia, cellular tissue death, malnutrition, low blood pressure, seizures

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Ranges from rehabilitation programs to substantial fines and long-term confinement
Sell, offer to sell, or distribute for sale: Penalty determined by the amount of substance, with fines in large amounts (exceeding $1,000,000) and life imprisonment

OTHER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

LSD, PCP

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

dilated pupils, higher body temperature, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, tremors, blocked speech, psychosis, extreme image distortion, violent behavior, flashbacks, hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, flushing, sweating, dizziness, numbness, drowsiness, convulsions, coma, heart and lung failure, ruptured blood vessels in the brain, death, affects memory, perception, concentration and judgment, paranoia, fearlessness, anxiety, may affect hormones related to growth, nausea, blurred vision, vomiting, drooling, loss of balance, delusions, catatonia, depression, weight loss

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Ranges from rehabilitation programs to substantial fines and long-term confinement
Sell, offer to sell, or distribute for sale: Penalty determined by the amount of substance, with fines in large amounts (exceeding $1,000,000) and life imprisonment

MDMA (Ecstacy)

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

confusion, depression, sleep problems, severe anxiety, and paranoia, muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating, increases in heart rate and blood pressure, brain damage, drug craving, rapid eye movement, acne-like rash, liver damage, Parkinson’s disease – stimulant (like amphetamine) and hallucinogenic (like LSD) effects

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Ranges from rehabilitation programs to substantial fines and long-term confinement
Sell, offer to sell, or distribute for sale: Penalty determined by the amount of substance, with fines in large amounts (exceeding $1,000,000) and life imprisonment

DEPRESSANTS

Barbiturates and Tranquilizers

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

shallow breathing, slurred speech, sluggishness, fatique, disorientation, lack of coordination, dilated pupils, disinhibition, sleepiness, impairs memory, judgment and coordination, irritability, paranoid and suicidal ideation, depression of the respiratory center in the brain resulting in death, tremors, elevated blood pressure and pulse, sweating, seizures, emotional instability, vision problems, sexual dysfunction, chronic tiredness, menstrual irregularities, breathing disorders, hallucinations, vomiting, sleep and eating disorders

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Ranges from rehabilitation programs to substantial fines and long-term confinement
Sell, offer to sell, or distribute for sale: Penalty determined by the amount of substance, with fines in large amounts (exceeding $1,000,000) and life imprisonment

GHB

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

coma and seizures, nausea and difficulty breathing, insomnia, anxiety, tremors, sweating, unconsciousness

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Ranges from rehabilitation programs to substantial fines and long-term confinement
Sell, offer to sell, or distribute for sale: Penalty determined by the amount of substance, with fines in large amounts (exceeding $1,000,000) and life imprisonment

Rohypnol ("Roofies")

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

amnesia, death, muscle reaction, seizures, dependence, blackouts, dizziness, disorientation, nausea , decreased blood pressure, visual disturbances, gastrointestinal disturbances, urinary retention, headache, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, irritability, numbness, tingling, loss of identity, hallucinations, delirium, convulsions, shock, cardiovascular collapse

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Ranges from rehabilitation programs to substantial fines and long-term confinement
Sell, offer to sell, or distribute for sale: Penalty determined by the amount of substance, with fines in large amounts (exceeding $1,000,000) and life imprisonment

Ketamine ("Special K")

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

dream-like states and hallucinations, delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Ranges from rehabilitation programs to substantial fines and long-term confinement
Sell, offer to sell, or distribute for sale: Penalty determined by the amount of substance, with fines in large amounts (exceeding $1,000,000) and life imprisonment

Inhalants

Effects of Occasional and Extended Use

unconsciousness, heart failure and death, suffocation, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathies or limb spasms, central nervous system or brain damage, bone marrow damage, liver and kidney damage, blood oxygen depletion, Kaposi’s sarcoma

Criminal Sanctions/Penalties

Possession or use: Maximum confinement of 180 days and $1,000 fine

* The Ohio Revised Code and federal law distinguish amongst controlled narcotic substances by category. Ohio law classifies narcotics according to a schedule (Schedule I – Opiates; Schedule II – Opium & Opium derivatives such as cocaine; Schedule III – stimulants such as steroids and LSD; and Schedule IV – narcotic drugs). Penalties vary depending upon the Schedule of the narcotic.

Note: Distribution of controlled substances in or near schools and colleges can result in penalties twice the regular penalty for the same offense. Trafficking in drugs can result in forfeiture of property including motor vehicles, vessels, money, real property and other personal property.

Note: Use of ANY controlled substance to aid in committing a crime of violence (including sexual assault) is a violation of federal law that could be prosecuted in addition to the underlying crime. Penalties may be as great as 20 years in prison with the penalties increased if the perpetrator has a prior conviction or if death or serious bodily injury result from the use of the controlled substance.

University Employees

Employees who are under the influence, possess, use or furnish alcohol to a minor violate University rules 3359-20-05.5 and 3359-47-01 and may receive appropriate sanctions, up to and including termination. Possession or use of illegal drugs on University property or any other property where University business is being carried out is a violation of University rules 3359-20-05.5 and 3359-47-02. Unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of any drug or controlled substance is a violation of University rule 3359-47-02. Employees who violate these rules may be subject to sanctions up to and including termination. If disciplinary action under these policies are taken against an employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the action shall be subject to grievance procedures set forth in such agreement. For more information about the University’s Alcohol Policy and the University’s Drug Free Workplace Policy see http://www.uakron.edu/ogc/rules/RulesbyNumber.php.