SMU Drug Free Schools and Campuses Information

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Risks Associated with Substance Abuse

Alcohol: Impaired judgment, nausea, vomiting, confusion, impaired coordination, memory loss, reduced respiratory rate, lowered body temperature, muscle paralysis, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, bone marrow damage, impotence and damage to sexual organs, intestinal bleeding, inflammation of the pancreas

Marijuana: Interrupts linear memory, nausea, upper respiratory problems, agitation, anxiety, paranoia, headaches, dizziness, confusion. Regular users can develop amotivational syndrome.

K2, Spice and Other 'Synthetic Marijuana':  Anxiety, racing heart, blood pressure spikes, chest pain, paranoia, nausea, seizures, hallucinations.  May contain many unknown contaminants.

Salvia Divinorum:  Disconnection from reality and environment, hallucinations, extreme fear and paranoia possible.

Cocaine: Irritability, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, paranoia, increased heart rate, blood pressure, increased body temperature, malnutrition

Amphetamine, Methamphetamine: Sweating, disturbed sleep, itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, irritability, moodiness, anxiety, twitching, panic, paranoia, delusions of grandeur, malnutrition, aggression, violent behavior, severe depression, suicidal tendencies

MDMA: Appetite suppression, visual distortion, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased body temperature, restlessness, nervousness, shivering, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, tongue & cheek chewing, difficulty concentrating, short term memory loss, confusion, muscle tension, sexual dysfunction, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, impaired coordination

GHB: Dizziness, slurring of speech, decreased motor skills, difficulty focusing eyes, nausea, vomiting, grogginess, unconsciousness, disorientation, convulsions, decreased respiratory rate

Benzodiazepines: Upset stomach, tremors, confusion, dizziness, clumsiness, dry mouth, memory impairment, headache, decreased blood pressure, reduced reflexes

Heroin and other opiates: Inability to concentrate, pin-point pupils, droopy eyelids, limited vision, slowed breathing, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation, decreased sex drive, increased urination, itching, low body temp, sweating, liver damage, kidney damage, bacterial infections related to use of needles

Inhalants: Disorientation, dizziness, loss of cognitive abilities, emotional volatility, memory loss, impaired coordination, loss of consciousness, visual disturbances, muscle spasm/weakness, nausea, rapid/irregular heart beat, decreased blood pressure, decreased respiratory rate, sneezing, coughing, increased thirst, irritated eyes, nose, and mouth, dementia, sudden inhalant death syndrome

DXM, Dextromethorphan: Decreased sexual functioning, confusion, disorientation, upset stomach, vomiting, dizziness, itching, rash, red blotchy skin, diarrhea, fever, tachycardia

LSD, Psilocybin Mushrooms: Anxiety, difficulty focusing, tension, jaw tension, increased perspiration, nausea, dizziness, confusion, paranoia, panic, fear

Steroids: Risks: Acne, Jaundice, trembling, swelling of feet and ankles, HDL reduction, high blood pressure, liver damage, cancer, aching joints, mood swings, depression, delusions, uncontrollable anger, aggressiveness, manic episodes, paranoid jealousy, irritability, impaired judgment. Gender Specific Risks: Males: Shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm count, impotence, baldness, urinary track problems, development of breasts, enlarged prostate; Females: Growth of facial hair, menstrual problems, enlargement of the clitoris, deepened voice, breast reduction

**Damage from intravenous drug use: In addition to the adverse effects associated with the use of a specific drug, intravenous drug users who use unsterilized needles or who share needles with other drug users can develop HIV, hepatitis, tetanus (lock jaw), and infections in the heart. Permanent damage can result.

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PENALTIES UNDER STATE LAW

I. TEXAS STATUTES

Manufacture or delivery of controlled substances (drugs)
  • Minimum Punishment: Confinement in jail for a term of not more than 2 yrs. or less than 180 days, and a fine not to exceed $10,000
  • Maximum Punishment: Confinement in TDC for life or for a term of not more than 99 years nor less than 15 years, and a fine not to exceed $250,000
  • see details

Possession of controlled substances (drugs)

  • Minimum Punishment: Confinement in jail for a term of not more than 180 days, a fine not to exceed $2,000 or both
  • Maximum Punishment: Confinement in TDC for life or for a term of not more than 99 years nor less than 10 years, and a fine not to exceed $250,000
  • see details

Delivery of marijuana

  • Minimum Punishment: Confinement in jail for a term of not more than 180 days, a fine not to exceed $2,000 or both
  • Maximum Punishment: Confinement in TDC for life or for a term of not more than 99 years nor less than 10 years, and a fine not to exceed $100,000
  • see details

Possession of marijuana

  • Minimum Punishment: Confinement in jail for a term of not more than 180 days, a fine not to exceed $2,000 or both
  • Maximum Punishment: Confinement in TDC for life or for a term of not more than 99 years nor less than 5 years, and a fine not to exceed $50,000
  • see details

Driving while intoxicated (includes intoxication from alcohol, drugs, or both)

  • Minimum Punishment: Confinement in jail for a term of not more than 180 days nor less than 72 hours, and a fine of not more than $2,000
  • Maximum Punishment: Imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years nor less than 2 years, and a fine not to exceed $10,000
  • see details
Public intoxication - Class C misdemeanor
  • Minimum Punishment: A fine not to exceed $500
  • Maximum Punishment: see details
Purchase of alcohol by a minor
  • Minimum Punishment: A fine not to exceed $500
  • Maximum Punishment: see details

Consumption or possession of alcohol by a minor
  • Minimum Punishment: A fine not to exceed $500
  • Maximum Punishment: see details

Sale of alcohol to a minor - Class A misdemeanor

  • Punishment: A fine not to exceed $4000 or confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year or both
  • see details

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PENALTIES UNDER FEDERAL LAW

II. FEDERAL STATUTES

Manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of drugs (including marijuana)

  • Minimum Punishment: A term of imprisonment for up to 5 years and a fine of $250,000
  • Maximum Punishment: A term of life imprisonment without release (no eligibility for parole) and a fine not to exceed $8,000,000 for an individual (or $20,000,000 if other than an individual)

Possession of drugs (including marijuana)

  • Minimum Punishment: Imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of not less than $1,000
  • Maximum Punishment: Imprisonment for not more than 20 years or less than 5 years and a fine of not less than $5,000 plus costs of investigation & prosecution

**The federal penalties quoted here are based upon language contained in the applicable federal statutes creating criminal offenses regarding controlled substances. However, there are additional factors in the federal sentencing guidelines; including various enhancement provisions for prior offenses; and Title 21 U.S.C. Section 860 provides that the federal statutory penalties double (and in some cases triple) when a controlled substance is distributed (or even possessed with intent to distribute) within 1000 feet of a school.

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Drug and Alcohol Counseling and EAP Resources

Students:

The University's Center for Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention can provide anonymous referral information regarding community substance abuse treatment resources. Counselors are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM at 214-768-4021. The University's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention department offers a variety of educational programs related to college students and the use of alcohol or other drugs. Printed information and confidential educational consultations are available to SMU students to assist them with alcohol or other drug-related questions or concerns. Staff or trained peer educators are available to provide programs for student groups upon request. Call 214-768-4021, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays to obtain information, request a program, or schedule an appointment.

Employees:

The Employee Assistance Program is a confidential benefit program for faculty and staff offering guidance for health and wellness topics including stress, family or parenting issues, alcohol or drug dependencies, marital or relationship issues, adjusting to change, self-improvement, child or elder care, pre and postnatal concerns, grief and work/life balance.

The Employee Assistance Program is provided by Magellan Health Services. On-line self help is available through Magellan's online self help website at MagellanHealth.com, and they can be reached at 1-877-704-5696.

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