The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, Public Law 101-226, requires that Duquesne University certify that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. This statement is being published to define clearly the following items set forth by the statute:

(1) The annual distribution in writing to each employee, and to each student who is taking one or more classes for any kind of academic credit, except for continuing education units, regardless of the length of the student’s program of study, of:

• Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of any of its activities.
• A description of the applicable legal sanctions under local, State or
  Federal Law for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
• A description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol.
• A description of any drug or alcohol counseling, treatment, rehabilitation or re-entry programs that are available to employees or students.
• A clear statement that the institution will impose disciplinary sanctions on students and employees (consistent with local, State and Federal Law), and a description of those sanctions, up to and including expulsion or termination of employment and referral for prosecution, for violations of the standards of conduct. A disciplinary sanction may include the completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program.

(2) A biennial review by the institution of its program to:

• Determine its effectiveness and implement changes to the program if needed.
• Ensure that disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.

Standards of Conduct

To demonstrate our continued commitment to a drug-free environment, Duquesne University has established the following Standards of Conduct. These clearly prohibit, at a minimum, unlawful possession, use or distribution of drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of any of its activities. As members of the Duquesne Community, all are required to observe relevant Federal, State and Local laws.

Students illegally possessing, distributing, or using a controlled substance will be subject to disciplinary action and possible criminal prosecution. In cases involving marijuana, the enforcement policy states that the detection of the odor of marijuana can constitute a violation. Employees illegally possessing, distributing, or using a controlled substance on University premises or while conducting University business will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from employment, and criminal prosecution.

All matters related to alcohol are governed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and related statutes.

Sanctions

All residents in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are subject to the following criminal sanctions.

Alcohol

• Individuals selling, giving or providing premises on which alcohol is served to persons under 21 years of age are guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree for which the minimum mandatory fine is one thousand dollars ($1000).
• The possession, manufacture, sale or alteration of an identification card or driver’s license falsely representing the birth date, age or identity of person carries a possible three hundred dollar ($300) fine and mandatory revocation of driving privileges for 90 days.
• Any person who hires, requests or induces any person under 21 years of age to purchase, or offers to purchase liquor or malt or brewed beverages, as defined by 18 PA C.S. 63210.6 is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300).
• A person commits a summary offense if he/she being less than 21 years of age attempts to purchase, purchases, consumes, possesses or knowingly and intentionally transports any alcoholic beverage. Upon conviction a person may be sentenced to pay a fine of three hundred dollars ($300) and mandatory revocation of driving privileges for 90 days on the first offense.
• Driving under the influence (D.U.I.) in Pennsylvania (.10% blood alcohol content) — is a misdemeanor of the second degree and the court will impose a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300) and a minimum term of imprisonment for not less than one month but not more than 12 months applies to the initial conviction.

NOTIFICATION: All law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania are required to notify the parents or guardians of any person under the age of 21 years who has been charged with violating 18 PA C.S. 6308 as it relates to possession, consumption, purchase, transportation of alcoholic beverages.

In addition, the University may disclose, to a parent or legal guardian of a student under the age of 21, information regarding any violation of any federal, state, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the University, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance. Intoxication is not recognized in Pennsylvania as a legal defense in criminal cases.

Narcotics/Controlled Substances

• The acquisition or possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge is a felony and carries a sentence of imprisonment not exceeding fifteen years or a fine not to exceed two hundred-fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) or both or such larger amount as is sufficient to exhaust the assets utilized in and the profits obtained from illegal activity.
• The sale at retail or dispensing of any controlled substance listed in Schedules I, II, III, and IV of the Federal Controlled Substance Act of 1970 by any person except one authorized by law to sell, dispense, prescribe or possess such a substance is a misdemeanor and carries a sentence not to exceed one year imprisonment, and/or a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Health Risks

The Mission of Duquesne University is to promote the development of the whole person: physical, mental, spiritual, intellectual and social. The misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs seriously impairs achievement of this goal. Alcohol and other drug abuse is one of the most difficult problems facing institutions of higher learning today — difficult for many reasons, but the most important of all is that seldom will alcohol and other drug abusing individuals present themselves directly for help. Under the influence, many individuals exhibit inappropriate behaviors such as violence, racism, vandalism, date rape, sexual assault, property damage, self-destruction, loss of identity, depression, promiscuity, loss of spiritual meaning, suicide attempts, driving under the influence and a decreased capacity to learn or to work.

The following information details additional health risks associated with the misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Alcohol: Addiction, liver disease, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, higher than normal rates of peptic ulcers, pneumonia, cancer of digestive and respiratory tracts, heart and artery disease and accidents.

Cocaine: Addiction, heart seizures, lung damage, severe depression, paranoia and anxiety.

Marijuana: Short term memory loss, addiction, paranoia, increased heart rate, lung cancer, affects respiratory and reproductive systems and suppresses immune system.

Hallucinogens: Dependence, unpredictable behavior, flashbacks, psychosis, (LSD, PCP, etc.) affects heart rate and respiratory system.

Depressants: Addiction, muscle rigidity, possible overdose (especially if (Barbiturates) combined with alcohol) and interferes with sleep.

Stimulants: Addiction, paranoia, depression, confusion, possible hallucinations, weight loss, dehydration, low resistance to disease, psychiatric problems and higher rate of liver and heart
disease.

Narcotics: Addiction, lethargy, weight loss, depressed central nervous system, heart and lung abnormalities, hepatitis, AIDS (unsterile needles), reduction of visual acuity and constriction of the pupils.

Inhalants: Lack of coordination, unconsciousness, suffocation, nausea and vomiting, damage to the brain and central nervous system, sudden death, respiratory depression and brain damage.

Steroids: Increased blood pressure, baldness, skin problems, liver toxicity and cancer, arteriosclerosis, insomnia, loss of elasticity in tendons and ligaments, shrinkage and discoloration of testicles, decreased sperm count, fluid retention, pore enlargement, general masculinization in women and impotence and enlargement of breasts in men.

Counseling, Education, Prevention

CARES, the office of alcohol and other drug services, provides individual counseling to students who are concerned about their own drinking or use of other drugs, or that of another person. In addition, all students found responsible for an on-campus violation involving alcohol or other drugs are referred to CARES. All conversations are confidential. Education and prevention programs are available at no cost to academic classes, groups, organizations, fraternities and sororities, and residence halls. To contact CARES, please call 412-396-5834, see the Web site at http://www.ducares.duq.edu/, or stop by the office located in Assumption Hall.

Statement of Intent

As to students, Duquesne University will impose sanctions pertaining to alcohol and other drugs as stated in Article V of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct and in the Residence Life Handbook.

Biennial Review

A biennial review of the University’s alcohol and other drug programs, policies, and sanctions will be conducted by the Vice President for Student Life and the University Legal Counsel. This review will determine effectiveness and implement changes if necessary and will ensure that the sanctions developed are consistently enforced.

Campus and Community Resources for Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance

Duquesne University strongly encourages individuals to seek additional information and assistance. The following are some resources available.

• University Counseling Center
  Duquesne University
  308 Administration Building
  600 Forbes Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15282
  412-396-6204
• Health Service
  Duquesne University
  Second Floor Towers
  600 Forbes Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15282
  412-396-1650
• Duquesne CARES
  Duquesne University
  Assumption Hall (Ground Floor)
  600 Forbes Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15282
  412-396-5834
• Human Resources
  Duquesne University
  Fisher Hall—Second Floor
  600 Forbes Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15282
  412-396-6677
• Gateway Rehabilitation Center
  Moffet Run Road
  Aliquippa, PA 15001
  724-766-8700
• Alternatives Chemical Abuse Program
  70 South 22nd Street
  Pittsburgh, PA 15203
  412-381-2100
• Greenbriar Treatment Center
  1-800-637-HOPE (4673)
• Department of Human Services
  Allegheny County
  412-350-4457
• Employee Assistance Program
  1-800-EAP (327)-7272

Important Telephone Numbers

Commuter Affairs
117 Duquesne Union
412-396-6660

Duquesne CARES
Assumption Hall (Ground Floor)
412-396-5834

Duquesne Operator
412-396-6000

Financial Aid
Ground Floor Administration Building
412-396-6607

Health Service
Towers, Second Floor
412-396-1650

Judicial Affairs
114 Duquesne Union
412-396-6642

Multicultural Affairs
315 Duquesne Union
412-396-1117

Parking Office
Locust Street Garage
412-396-5267

Registrar
Ground Floor Administration Building
412-396-6212

Residence Life
Assumption Hall
412-396-5028
Spiritan Campus Ministry
102 Administration Building
412-396-6020

Student Accounts
208 Administration Building
412-396-6585

Student Activities
305 Duquesne Union
412-396-5853

Student Government Association
302 Duquesne Union
412-396-6620

University Counseling Center
308 Administration Building
412-396-6204

Information contained on this Web site may be changed at any time.