Regulations and Policies
UGA Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs
The abuse of alcohol and the use of illegal drugs by members of the University of Georgia community are incompatible with the goals of the institution. In order to further the University’s commitment to provide a healthy and productive educational environment, and in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, the University has established the following policy on alcohol and other drugs.
Student Misconduct
The University of Georgia’s student conduct regulations prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and other drugs by students and student organizations. The regulations also prohibit other alcohol-related misconduct. In addition, student organizations sponsoring events where alcohol is present are subject to the requirements or guidelines of the University’s Social Events policy and registration form. Sanctions for violations of these student conduct regulations may include alcohol and/or other drug education, mandated evaluation and treatment, community service, suspension, and/or expulsion. Student organizations which knowingly permit illegal drug activity will be excluded from campus for a minimum of one year, and leases or agreements for use of University property will automatically terminate pursuant to Board of Regents Policy and Georgia law.
Criminal Sanctions
Under Georgia and federal law, it is a crime to possess, manufacture, sell, or distribute illegal drugs. As required by federal regulations, charts accompanying this policy in the current Safe & Secure brochure detail federal penalties for drug trafficking and state sanctions for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs.
Georgia law prohibits the purchase or possession of alcohol by a person under the age of 21, or the furnishing of alcohol to such a person. Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs also is illegal. It is against Georgia law, under certain circumstances, to walk or be upon a roadway while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The punishment for these offenses may include imprisonment, payment of a fine, mandatory treatment and education programs, community service, and mandatory loss of one’s driver’s license.
Counseling and Treatment Resources
A variety of counseling services and treatment centers is available throughout the state for anyone experiencing problems related to substance abuse. Although most counseling and treatment centers charge for their services, some programs are free of charge. Students should avail themselves of the following referral sources to identify the services or programs which most closely meet their specific needs.
For students, The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Education Program offers a variety of programs and presentations designed to meet specific needs. A resource library of information concerning alcohol and other drugs is located on the second floor in the Health Promotion Department of the University Health Center and has films, videos, books, tapes, and pamphlets available for students’ use. Campus student groups which stress alcohol and other drug education and awareness include ASAP (Advocating Safe Alternatives for Peers), Peer Education Team, the Greer Commission on Risk Management, and BACCHUS (Boost Alcohol Consciousness Concerning Health of University Students). Support/therapy groups include: AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs Support/Therapy Group), AA, and ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics). The coordinator of the ATOD program is a certified addiction counselor and offers confidential assessments and short-term counseling.
Health Risks
The following information on health risks is from What Works: Schools Without Drugs, U. S. Department of Education (1992):
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 spouse and child abuse. 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.
A chart accompanying this policy in the current Safe & Secure brochure lists the possible effects and health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and controlled substances.
Contact Persons
For additional information regarding health risks or counseling and treatment resources for students, contact Carole Middlebrooks, Coordinator for Alcohol and Other Drug Education, 542-8690 or 542-7774; for information about the University’s policies on alcohol and other drugs as they pertain to students, contact the Associate Dean of Students for Judicial Programs, 542-1131.
The complete Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs is published in the current Safe and Secure brochure that is distributed to every student each fall semester.