Ask The Experts

These answers are provided by SMU's Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, the Dean of Student Life, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Questions

1. What are some student substance use risk factors?
2. What is considered high risk and low risk behavior?
3. How can students minimize the risks associated with alcohol and other drugs?
4. What does the SMU Student Code of Conduct say about alcohol and drugs?
5. Will SMU notify parents if their student gets “into trouble”?
6. What if a student violates the SMU Code of Conduct by using or possessing alcohol and/or drugs?
7. How do you know when you are an alcoholic?
8. What is moderate drinking?
9. What is heavy drinking?
10. What is alcoholism?
11. What is alcohol abuse?
12. How do I know if I have a drinking problem?
13. Do drugs and alcohol affect a student’s school performance?
14. What are some of the effects of marijuana?
15. How can you tell if someone has a problem with using drugs? How can you tell someone they need help?

What are some student substance use risk factors?

• Family history of alcohol/drug dependency
• An initial high tolerance: minimal effects are felt at the onset of alcohol use
• An acquired high tolerance: due to repeated exposure, more alcohol is needed to achieve the same effect
• High risk drinking behaviors: drinking to get drunk, any drinking that causes tolerance to increase, drinking games and contests, doing shots of alcohol
• Heavy episodic drinking
• Use of drugs that are illegal or not prescribed to the student.

What is considered high risk and low risk behavior?

Low-risk drinking is:

• Abstaining is the lowest risk choice
• Thinking about whether you will drink before the party
• Being 21 or older
• Eating a meal before drinking
• Drinking no more than one drink per hour; no more than 3 drinks per day
• Always knowing what you are drinking
• Alternating alcohol-free drinks throughout the evening
• Knowing how you will get home safely before you go out

High-risk drinking is:

• Chugging, drinking games, shots (drinking anything out of a punch bowl, trough, hose or funnel)
• Drinking to get drunk (intoxicated)
• Driving after drinking or riding with someone under the influence
• Drinking too much or too fast on an empty stomach
• Going to parties where people drink too much
• Not knowing what is in your glass or leaving it unattended
• Mixing alcohol with any medications or illegal drugs

How can students minimize the risks associated with alcohol and other drugs?

Substance use presents obvious immediate health risks such as alcohol poisoning and death from overdose. Less obvious health risks from substance use include:

• A decrease in the ability to make safe and healthy decisions
• The increase in violence associated with alcohol and other drugs
• The increased likelihood of rape

What does the SMU Student Code of Conduct say about alcohol and drugs?

The University strictly enforces that which may be considered a violation of state law and prohibits the possession and consumption of alcohol by those younger than 21, as well as the use, sale, possession or manufacturing of any controlled substance. A complete copy of the SMU Student Handbook can be found on the SMU Student Life Web page (www.smu.edu/studentlife).

Information about the University alcohol and/or drug use policies for students living in on-campus housing (residence halls and apartments) can be found in the Resident Edition of the 2007-08 Student Handbook, p. 215, or on the SMU Residence Life Student Housing (RLSH) Web page (www.smu.edu/housing/commstand).

Will SMU notify parents if their student gets “into trouble”?

SMU looks to parents as partners in this fight against the increasing use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Except in unusual circumstances, parents are informed by the Dean of Student Life office of issues involving their students as follows:

• If a student is found responsible for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct resulting in disciplinary probation or greater, the Dean of Student Life office may inform the parents in writing of the violation and sanctions.
• In emergency situations, such as a student hospitalization for a serious health matter, the Dean of Student Life office may call the parents.
• A first offense for a substance-abuse or alcohol violation will result in prompt parental notification.

Please make sure your student maintains current contact information on file with the Registrar’s Office and in Access.SMU so that we can contact you.

What if a student violates the SMU Code of Conduct by using or possessing alcohol and/or drugs?

The Student Conduct and Community Standards Office assists students in their personal development by providing a fair conduct review process that issues sanctions for behavior that is incongruent with the University’s expectations for students. The Office addresses academic and non-academic behavior. We are available to answer questions at 214-768-4563.

When the standards of conduct regarding alcohol and/or drugs are violated, SMU will impose, at a minimum, the following sanctions:

Alcohol Violation (minimum sanctions)

(Sanctions may be assigned by the Conduct Officer or Conduct Board as deemed appropriate)

First Offense

• Conduct Reprimand - The individual or group will be given formal notice by the Conduct Board or the Conduct Officer that they have violated the Student Code of Conduct or University policy. If the individual or group is found in violation of a further charge, that case will be considered more seriously.
• Completion of online screening called E-Chug
• Referral to the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention for an individual assessment
• Educational sanction (including but not limited to a class, reflection paper, research paper, meetings with Conduct Officer, or activity)
• $100 Fine
• Parent notification

Second Offense:

• Disciplinary Probation - A student or group is given a warning that further violations will result in consideration of suspension.
• Completion of online screening called E-Chug
• Referral to the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention for an individual assessment
• Educational sanction (including but not limited to a class, reflection paper, research paper, meetings with Conduct Officer, or activity)
• $150 Fine
• Parent notification

Third Offense:

• Deferred Suspension: Individual or group suspension may be deferred (not enforced). Deferred terms, i.e., conditions of the deferred suspension and its duration, will be set by the Conduct Officer or Conduct Board that imposed the sanction. If a succeeding Conduct Officer or Conduct Board finds the student responsible for violating the terms of deferred suspension during the period set up by the preceding Conduct Officer or Conduct Board, the student may be suspended.
• Completion of online screening called E-Chug
• Referral to the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention for an individual assessment
• Educational sanction (including but not limited to a class, reflection paper, research paper, meetings with Conduct Officer, or activity)
• $200 Fine
• Parent notification

Fourth Offense:

• Suspension from the University: An individual or group will be dismissed from the University for an assigned time period, and under the conditions deemed necessary by the conduct review process. A student suspended from the University may not enter campus grounds for any reason during the period of her/his suspension without the express written permission from the Office of the Dean of Student Life. A student suspended from the University before the academic semester ends will not receive a refund of any monies paid, including tuition, fees, and room and board. No academic credit earned during the period of suspension at any other institution may be transferred to SMU. A disciplinary suspension and its effective dates are recorded on a student’s academic transcript. The notation remains for the time the student is enrolled in the University and is removed three years after graduation. If the student leaves the University before graduation, the notation is removed three years after the anticipated date of graduation from the University.
   
• Parent notification

SPECIAL NOTE: Violations of the Student Code of Conduct are documented in conduct files which are maintained in the Dean of Student Life Office. The information in these files is subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (as amended). If paying the fine is not feasible, students may complete adjudicated service hours on campus in lieu of paying the fine. Arrangements for this can be made through the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office.

 

Drug Violation (minimum sanctions)

(Sanctions may be assigned by the Conduct Officer or Conduct Board as deemed appropriate)

 

First Offense for personal use marijuana:

• Deferred Suspension: Individual or group suspension may be deferred (not enforced). Deferred terms, i.e., conditions of the deferred suspension and its duration, will be set by the Conduct Officer or Conduct Board that imposed the sanction. If a succeeding Conduct Officer or Conduct Board finds the student responsible for violating the terms of deferred suspension during the period set up by the preceding Conduct Officer or Conduct Board, the student may be suspended.
• Completion of online screening called E-Toke
• Referral to the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention for an individual assessment
• Educational sanction (including but not limited to a class, reflection paper, research paper, meetings with Conduct Officer, or activity)
• $500 Fine
• Parent notification

Second Offense for personal use marijuana; First Offense other drug use, distribution of drugs, or positive drug test:

• Suspension from the University: An individual or group will be dismissed from the University for an assigned time period, and under the conditions deemed necessary by the conduct review process. A student suspended from the University may not enter campus grounds for any reason during the period of her/his suspension without the express written permission from the Office of the Dean of Student Life. A student suspended from the University before the academic semester ends will not receive a refund of any monies paid, including tuition, fees, and room and board. No academic credit earned during the period of suspension at any other institution may be transferred to SMU. A disciplinary suspension and its 12 effective dates are recorded on a student’s academic transcript. The notation remains for the time the student is enrolled in the University and is removed three years after graduation. If the student leaves the University before graduation, the notation is removed three years after the anticipated date of graduation from the University.
   
• Parent notification

Additional Legal Ramifications

SPECIAL NOTE: SMU strictly enforces the state law which prohibits the possession and consumption of alcohol by those students under the age of 21 and the misuse of alcohol for those students over the age of 21. SMU also requires compliance with all local, state and federal laws regarding controlled substances to include, but not limited to, their use, sale, possession or manufacture. According to Section 2.09 of the SMU Code of Conduct, “Students will, at all times and in all activities, respect the rights of others, maintain responsible behavior conducive to the teaching and learning environment, and uphold the integrity of the University both on and off campus.”

Additional Legal Ramifications

In addition to violating the Student Code of Conduct, a student’s behavior may also be a violation of the law. In these cases, action by law enforcement authorities may also occur. Thus, students may be adjudicated through the Dean of Student Life office as well as through the court system.

Alcohol: Minors convicted in the criminal court system of possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages may be subject to fines, suspension of driver's license, community service and a mandatory alcohol education class. Convictions for providing alcohol to minors may subject individuals to fines and a jail term of up to one year. Convictions for driving while intoxicated may subject individuals to fines totaling as much as $2,000 and a jail term of up to six months for a first offense. Fines and jail terms escalate after the first conviction.

Controlled Substance (Drugs): Sanctions upon conviction in the criminal court system for possession, distribution or manufacture of controlled substances range from fines to probation to imprisonment. Amount of fines, terms of probation, or years of imprisonment generally are contingent upon the circumstances and amounts of drugs in possession, sale, distribution or manufacture.

Fictitious License or Certificate: A person under the age of 21 years commits an offense if the person possesses, with the intent to represent that the person is 21 years of age or older, a document that is deceptively similar to a driver’s license or a personal identification certificate unless the document displays the statement “NOT A GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT” diagonally printed clearly and indelibly on both the front and back of the document in solid red capital letters at least one-fourth inch in height. This type of offense is a Class C misdemeanor.

How do you know when you are an alcoholic?

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that reduces anxiety, inhibition and feelings of guilt. It lowers alertness, impairs perception, judgment and motor coordination. In high doses, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death. Chronic alcoholism damages the brain, liver, heart and other organs.

Spotting the signs and symptoms of alcoholism is not always easy. While daily drinking, drinking-related arrests or job loss can be signs of alcoholism, they tend to happen late in the disease. Many signs occur earlier, yet are harder to detect. These signs include:

•  An increasing tolerance to the effects of alcohol. You may have heard the expression that someone can “hold their liquor.” This is not seen as a sign that this person will not have problems with alcohol. In fact, this may be an early sign of the disease.
•  A growing preoccupation or interest in drinking, drinking alone or a drink before an activity with drinking. It may seem as though one simply enjoys drinking. We now know that these signs are the first symptoms of alcoholism.
•  A person will dispute there is a problem. This symptom, called denial, is almost always present in alcoholism.
•  Hiding alcohol or sneaking drinks, gulping the first few drinks, wanting to drink more, or longer, than the rest of the crowd or losing control of drinking, leading to attempts to control it (”going on the wagon.“)

What is moderate drinking?

Based on current dietary guidelines, moderate drinking for women is defined as an average of 1 drink or less per day. Moderate drinking for men is defined as an average of 2 drinks or less per day (USDA, 2000).

What is heavy drinking?

Heavy drinking is consuming alcohol in excess of 1 drink per day on average for women and greater than 2 drinks per day on average for men (NIAAA, 2004).

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol use despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial (ASAM, 2001).

What is alcohol abuse?

Alcohol abuse is characterized by recurrent alcohol-related problems, including problems with relationships, job performance, or both; the use of alcohol in hazardous situations (e.g., while driving a car); or some combination of these (DSM IV, 1994).

How do I know if I have a drinking problem?

Drinking is a problem if it causes trouble in your relationships, in school, in social activities, or in how you think and feel. If you are concerned that either you or someone in your family might have a drinking problem, it is important that you consult a professional counselor or physician. Questionnaires and other tools can be useful to screen for drinking problems. Additional information on screening for alcohol problems may be obtained from the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Do drugs and alcohol affect a student’s school performance?

In the United States, 159,000 of today’s first year college students will drop out of school next year for alcohol or other related reasons. Almost 1/3 of college students nationwide admit to having missed class at least once because of alcohol or drug use. Some 30 percent of college failure is alcohol related.

For more information, see www.factsontap.org/factsontap/students.htm.

What are some of the effects of marijuana?

Marijuana affects the nerve cells in your brain where memory is formed. There are 400 known chemicals in marijuana. It can limit your body’s ability to fight off infections. Long term marijuana use can increase the risk of developing certain mental illness. Marijuana takes away motivation, impairs judgment and can make you feel anxious.

A few effects of marijuana: slow thinking, slow reflexes, reduced coordination and concentration, reduced motivation, mood swings, memory impairment, panic attacks, delusions, paranoid thinking and other mental health problems, risk of lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. More information.

How can you tell if someone has a problem with using drugs? How can you tell someone they need help?

When the other person’s behavior causes you problems or concerns, it is time to do something. Explain your reasons for being concerned (in a non-confrontational manner) in relation to behaviors the person exhibits. Focus on the friend’s negative behavior. Some behaviors of concern are:

• Missing class due to drinking or drug use
• Use of alcohol or drugs to help study or perform in school
• Reputation as a partier
• Guilt or remorse because of drinking or drug use
• Loss of memory due to use
• Change in friends since starting to use
• Use of alcohol or drugs to help function the day after partying
• Others or friends telling a person he or she uses too much
• Use of alcohol or drugs to build self confidence or decrease stress
• Drinking or using alone
• Negative experiences because of use
• Becoming a different person under the influence
• Lying about use, planning not to use but doing it anyway, or drinking more than intended

The SMU Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Center offers “Because I Care,” a training program in intervention strategies. Contact Megan Knapp (mknapp@smu.edu) for more information.