Policy: Drug and alcohol prevention

Drug & Alcohol Prevention Program

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 requires that all institutions of higher education (IHE) adopt and implement an alcohol and drug prevention program to prevent the abuse of alcohol and use of illicit drugs by students and employees on institutional premises or as part of any of its activities. The regulations require an IHE to do the following:

1. Prepare a written policy on alcohol and other drugs.
2. Distribute the policy to every student and staff member each year.
3. Prepare a biennial review report on the effectiveness of its alcohol and other drug (AOD) programs and the consistency of policy enforcement.
4. As part of the biennial review, the institution must determine the following:
   1. The number of drug and alcohol related violations and fatalities that occur on the campus, or as part of any of the institution’s activities and are reported to campus officials, and
   2. The number and type of sanctions that are imposed by the institution as a result of drug and alcohol-related violations and fatalities on the institution’s campus or as part of any of the institution’s activities.

Drug & Alcohol Policy

1. Standards of Conduct Columbia Southern University (CSU) is committed to providing a drug-free campus and workplace. CSU prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students, employees, and guests on its premises, or at any activity it sponsors. Students, employees, and guests must comply with the federal, state, and local laws concerning underage drinking and illegal drug usage Violations of federal, state, or local laws will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement officials. Students and employees will be subject to university disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or separation, pursuant to CSU policies and procedures.
2. Legal Sanctions Regarding Unlawful Use, Possession, or Distribution of Alcoholic  Beverages and Illicit Drugs
   1. State Laws and Sanctions The legal drinking age in the United States is 21 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Legal drinking age is 18 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Alabama laws related to the illicit possession, use, and distribution of alcoholic beverages or drugs, and the possible legal penalties for violation of these laws can be found at the following web pages:
      • http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/codeofalabama/1975/21502.htm – Alcohol
        • Sections 28-1-1, 28-1-5, 28-4-20, and 28-3A-25
      • http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm – Drug Offenses
        • Sections 13A-12-211 to 215, 13A-12-250, 13A-12-260
      • http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm  – Public Intoxication
        • Section 13A-11-10
      • http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm – Driving while under the influence
        • Section 32-5A-191
   2. Federal Laws and Sanctions United States Code Title 21, Chapter 13, Section 812 establishes classifications of controlled substances and is located at http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title21/chapter13&edition=prelim. Section 841 makes it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance or a counterfeit substance. Federal penalties for controlled substances can be found at https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/sites/getsmartaboutdrugs.com/files/publications/Drugs%20of%20Abuse%202020-Web%20Version-508%20compliant-4-24-20.pdf.
   3. Local Ordinances Local authorities abide by state and federal laws concerning unlawful possession, use, and distribution of alcoholic beverages and drugs.Penalties for subsequent violations and convictions of the above are progressively more severe than for initial convictions.

Drug & Alcohol Prevention Program

Columbia Southern University provides the eCHECKUP TO GO software for all students, faculty, and employees. eCHECKUP TO GO is an alcohol and drug prevention program that educates students and other members of the CSU community on drinking patterns and the risks associated with alcohol and marijuana use.  Students, faculty, and employees can access the software at http://interwork.sdsu.edu/echeckup/usa/alc/coll/columbiasouthern.

Health Risks

Alcohol and other drug abuse is a significant public health problem and has a detrimental effect on the community in terms of increased medical and workers compensation claims, medical disability costs, decreased productivity, injuries, theft, and absenteeism. To learn more about the health risks of alcohol and drug use, please visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse at http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse.

Other Resources

Because CSU’s virtual campus does not enable the provision of on-site counseling or treatment, the following information is provided as a resource for those who need assistance with avoiding or recovering from alcohol or drug abuse.  Students or employees who need information related to alcohol or drug abuse are encouraged to use directory information, online searches, the telephone book, or referrals from friends and/or professionals. Below is a list of local and national organizations dedicated to providing information and suggestions.

Alabama Department of Public Health
www.adph.org

National Institute on Drug Abuse
General Link/Address: www.nida.nih.gov
310.443.1124

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA)
An agency of the US Department of Health & Human Services providing information online regarding alcohol, drugs, and treatment programs.

General Address: www.samhsa.gov
Specific Address for Treatment Programs:
findtreatment.samhsa.gov
800.729.6686

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
www.niaaa.nih.gov

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Narcotics Anonymous
www.na.org

Drug Convictions Policy
Under federal law, a student who has been convicted of the sale or possession of illegal drugs under any federal or state law during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving financial aid (grant, loans, and/or work-study) is not eligible for federal student aid. The Drug Convictions Policy can be located at http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/Financial/Office-of-Financial-Aid/Policies-Procedures#drugs.