Susquehanna University Drug Policy

1. The university prohibits the use or possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. Students found to be involved in possession, use, distribution or transportation of illegal drugs and/or paraphernalia, on or off campus, will be subject to disciplinary action. Drug paraphernalia will be confiscated and disposed of if found as part of a documented incident. Persistent odor of marijuana smoke, the recreational use of legal mind-altering substances and disorderly conduct resulting from drug use will be addressed through the university Student Conduct System. In all such cases not contained herein, the laws of the State of Pennsylvania and the United States should be followed.
2. Summary of Federal, State and Local Law
   It is a violation of federal, state and local laws to use, manufacture, sell or distribute any controlled substance. Additionally, it is against state and local laws to have drug paraphernalia in your possession for use, intended use or sale. Specified penalties range from fines, imprisonment or both, to the federally mandated penalties depending on the offense. In Pennsylvania, all drug violations come under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. All controlled substances are listed in Section 4 (Schedules of Controlled Substances). Section 13a (Prohibited Acts; Penalties) lists the 35 prohibited acts; 13b lists the specific penalties for any violation. Some examples of prohibited acts and penalties are:
   
3. 1. Possession with intent to use and/or sell drug paraphernalia. Upon conviction, an individual may be sentenced to imprisonment not exceeding one year, pay a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.
   2. Possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule I, II or III is considered a felony offense, and upon conviction an individual shall be sentenced to imprisonment not exceeding five years, pay a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.
   3. Conviction for possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule IV may result in imprisonment of up to three years, a fine up to $10,000 or both.
   4. Conviction for possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule V may result in imprisonment of up to one year, a fine up to $5,000 or both.

Drug Abuse and Health

There are extensive risks to mental and physical health associated with the use or abuse of mind-altering drugs. Sedative drugs have a high overdose potential and are physically addictive. Stimulant drugs are psychologically addictive and frequently induce psychotic states in the abuser. Cocaine is perhaps the most psychologically addictive drug known. Hallucinogens distort reality and can affect memory. Opiates are very physically addictive and have a high overdose potential. The abuse of virtually any drug interferes with memory and learning. Dependency is possible with almost any drug and causes complete disruption of the person's life. Drugs need not be directly mind altering nor illegal to be threatening to the welfare of an abuser. Steroids used to enhance athletic performance or build body mass have dangerous side effects including mood swings, outbursts of aggression and violence and irregular heart rhythms with the possibility of cardiac arrest. The abuse of prescription drugs can result in all of the problems associated with the abuse of controlled substances. Susquehanna University believes that all drug abuse is contradictory to the goals of the university and the health and welfare of its students and employees. Any individual desiring additional information about the effects and risks of drug abuse may contact the University Counseling Center or the Employee Assistance Program. The university encourages all persons experiencing problems with drugs, either through personal use or the use of a person close to you, to seek help through the Counseling Center or the Employee Assistance Program.

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires every employer that receives federal contracts or grants, including Susquehanna University, to certify that it will provide a drug-free workplace by:

1. publishing a drug-free workplace policy,
2. establishing a drug-free awareness program, and
3. taking certain actions regarding employees convicted of drug violations in the workplace.

Accordingly, the university has published this statement to notify all employees of its drug-free workplace policy. All employees are required to abide by the terms of this policy statement as a condition of employment. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance at the workplace is prohibited. Any employee determined to have violated this prohibition may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge from employment. The university recognizes that drug abuse in the workplace poses potential health, safety and security problems, and it has implemented a drug-free awareness program to inform employees of the problems of drug abuse and the availability of counseling and other assistance. The university's drug-free awareness program is described in the following statement. Any employee engaged in the performance of work under a federal grant or contract, including federal financial aid funds, who is convicted of a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace must notify the university of the conviction within five days of such conviction. Notification of conviction is a condition of employment for any employee performing work under a federal grant or contract. Non-faculty employees must notify their supervisor of any such violation. The supervisor will notify the Assistant to the President. Faculty members must notify their Dean of any such conviction. The Dean will notify the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Within 10 days of receipt of notice of a conviction for violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace, the university is required to notify the contracting agency of the conviction. The university will, within 30 days of notice of such a conviction, take or initiate appropriate disciplinary action with respect to any employee who is so convicted (up to and including discharge from employment) or will require satisfactory participation in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program. Questions concerning this policy may be addressed to the Director of Human Resources.

Drug-Free Awareness Program

New employees of Susquehanna University will be informed of the university's drug-free policies through literature given at the time of their initial orientation. Continuing employees will be given informational fliers distributed periodically through campus mail. In addition, health education posters will be placed at appropriate locations throughout university facilities. Educational programs sponsored by the Employee Assistance Program are open to all university employees and may include relevant information on the dangers of using drugs.

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Requirements and Policy

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 require an institution of higher education to provide a written certification that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use of or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by its students and employees on its property or as part of its activities. Institutions that fail to provide such certification become ineligible to receive federal funds or any other form of federal financial assistance, including federally funded or guaranteed student loan programs. This act extends the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act and requires the annual distribution of the following to each student and employee:

1. Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use or distribution of drugs and alcohol by students and employees on the institution's property or as any part of the institution's activities. The unlawful possession, use or distribution of drugs and alcohol by students and employees on Susquehanna University property or as any part of Susquehanna's activities is prohibited. Complete copies of Susquehanna's alcoholic beverages policy and drug policy are printed in the Student Handbook that is updated annually and distributed to all students, faculty and administrative staff. In addition, both policies are printed in the Faculty Handbook and the Personnel Policies Manual.
2. A description of the applicable legal sanctions under local, state and federal law for unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol: The alcoholic beverages and drug policy located in the Code of Student Conduct provide a summary of local, state and federal law.
3. A description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol. Section VI and VII of this section contain this information.
4. A description of any drug and alcohol counseling and treatment or rehabilitation programs that are available to students and employees: Susquehanna recognizes that help is frequently necessary to deal with the many problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse and/or dependency. The University Counseling Center staff can provide assistance to any student of the university who requests it. Services available include drug and alcohol education, assessment, individual counseling, group counseling and referral to community-based services. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers referral services to any employee of the university who requests it. Services available in the surrounding area include assessment; detoxification; residential treatment; group, individual and family counseling; and case management. A complete list of community services is available through the Counseling Center or the Employee Assistance Program. All services of the Counseling Center and the Employee Assistance Program are delivered confidentially. The university encourages all students and employees to seek help immediately when they experience any problem associated with drug or alcohol abuse. The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of 606 University Avenue. The Employee Assistance Program can be contacted at 1-800-252-4555.
5. A clear statement that the institution will impose sanctions on students and employees (consistent with local, state and federal law) and a description of these sanctions, up to and including expulsion or termination of employment and referral for prosecution for violations of the standards of conduct. The Sanctions section of the Code of Student Conduct describes the sanctions applicable to students. With respect to employees, the university takes or initiates appropriate disciplinary action as specified in the Drug-Free Workplace Policy, the Personnel Policies Manual and the Faculty Handbook. The unlawful possession, use or distribution of drugs and alcohol by employees on Susquehanna University property, or as any part of Susquehanna's activities, is considered a major act of misconduct and may be determined to warrant a recommendation for immediate dismissal and referral for prosecution. Students and/or employees may be required to complete an appropriate rehabilitation program as a condition of continuing at or returning to the university. The act further requires that the university conduct a biennial review of this policy to: 1) determine its effectiveness and implement any necessary changes and 2) ensure that the disciplinary sanctions described are consistently enforced. Records related to compliance with this act must be maintained for a minimum of three years after the fiscal year in which the record was created.