High-risk Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention Program
I. This program is a set of standards of conduct prohibiting all students from unlawfully possessing, manufacturing, using or distributing drugs and alcohol on College property or at any activities of the College. In addition, this program is designed to address and eliminate occurrences of binge drinking (five or more drinks at a sitting for men and four or more drinks at a sitting for women) and its consequences.
The program is an imposition of disciplinary penalties on a student in the event of a violation of these standards of conduct. Whether there has been a violation will be determined in accordance with the College’s procedures applicable to student discipline. When students visit another Claremont College, they are responsible for observing the regulations of both that college and HMC.
Penalties will be of varying degrees of severity and may include: warnings, attendance in a substance abuse program, probation, community service, loss of residential privileges (temporary or permanently), suspension, expulsion or referral to governmental authorities for prosecution. The appropriate penalty shall be determined by taking into consideration all relevant circumstances, and particular penalties will not be associated with any particular violation.
Annually, the College will distribute to each student a written statement that will include a copy of this program and:
A. A description of the various federal, state and local laws relating to the unlawful use, possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol and the penalties imposed (see Section II);
B. A description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol (see Section III);
C. A description of any drug and alcohol counseling, treatment, rehabilitation or reentry programs that are available to students (see Section IV);
D. A statement of any regulations established from time to time by the College with respect to the unlawful use, possession and distribution of drugs and alcohol on College property and at College activities (see Section V).
E. At least every two years, the College will review this program to determine its effectiveness, implement changes to the program if they are needed and ensure that the disciplinary penalties described above are consistently enforced.
II. Local, State and Federal Sanctions
Some local, state and federal laws establish severe penalties for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. These sanctions, upon conviction, range from a fine and probation to lengthy imprisonment. The following are lists of topics covered by these laws and the websites where more details can be found.
Claremont Municipal Code
9.23 Drinking Alcoholic Beverages in Public
California Codes
California Legislative Information
California Business and Professions Code
25602 Giving Alcohol to Intoxicated People
25604 Retail Establishments Serving Alcohol Must Be Licensed
25607 Limits on Alcohol Approved by Retail Licenses
25658 Limits on Alcohol Provision, Purchase and Consumption to Minors
25662 Public Possession of Alcohol by Those Under 2125659 Confiscation of False Identification
25660.5 Furnishing False Identifications
25661 Use of False Identification
California Vehicle Code
13388 Under 21 Refusing a Blood Alcohol Test
23136 Under 21 Driving Under the Influence
23140 BAC Limit for a Driver Who is Under Age
23152 Driving Under the Influence
23220 Limits on Drinking While Driving
23221 Limits on Consumption of Alcohol in a Vehicle (driver or passenger)
23222 Consequences for Possession of Marijuana or Open Container While Driving
23224 Limits of Under 21 Transporting Alcohol
23502 Alcohol Education Programs for Underage Offenders
23536 Consequences for DUI Conviction
23594 Consequences for Owner of Vehicle Used in DUI
23612 License Suspension for Refusal of Blood Alcohol Test
23645 Further Consequences for DUI Conviction
California Health and Safety Code
11153.5 Manufacture of Controlled Substances
11350 Possession of Narcotics
11351 Possession of Narcotics for Sale
11352 Transportation of Narcotics
11355 Sales of Narcotics
11357 Possession of Marijuana or Hashish
11358 Cultivation of Marijuana
11359 Sale of Marijuana
11360 Transportation of Marijuana
11364 Possession of Device for Consuming Narcotics
11365 Aiding the Use of Narcotics
11377 Consequences for Possession of a Controlled Substance
11378 Possession for Sale of Controlled Substances
11379 Transportation of Controlled Substances
11382 Aiding the Distribution of Controlled Substances
11383 Possession of Materials Intended to Manufacture Methamphetamine
Federal Code
Title 21, Chapter 13 Lists Laws Pertaining to Possession of Controlled Substances and Illegal Traffic
III. Health Risks Associated With the Use of Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol
A. The use of any mind- or mood-altering substance, including alcohol, can lead to psychological dependence, which is defined as a need or craving for the substance and feelings of restlessness, tension or anxiety when the substance is not used. In addition, with many substances, use can lead to physical tolerance, characterized by the need for increasing amounts of the substance to achieve the same effect and/or physical dependence, characterized by the onset of unpleasant or painful physiological symptoms when the substance is no longer being used. As tolerance and psychological or physical dependence develop, judgment becomes impaired and people often do not realize they are losing control over the use of the substance and that they need help.
B. Alcohol acts as a depressant to the central nervous system and can cause serious short- and long-term damage. Short-term effects include nausea, vomiting and ulcers; more chronic abuse can lead to brain, liver, kidney and heart damage and even eventual death. Ingesting a large amount of alcohol at one time (five or more drinks at a sitting for men, and four or more drinks at a sitting for women) can lead to alcohol poisoning, coma and death. Drugs such as LSD, amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine and alcohol alter emotions, cognition, perception, physiology and behavior in a variety of ways. Health risks include, but are not limited to, depression, apathy, hallucinations, paranoia and impaired judgment. In particular, alcohol and/or drug use inhibits motor control, reaction time and judgment, impairing driving ability. Abuse of either or both alcohol or drugs during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects, spontaneous abortion and stillbirths.
IV. Assistance for Alcohol Abuse and/or Drug Use Problems
A. The Claremont Colleges are committed to education and counseling as the primary focus of their substance abuse programs and will provide confidential professional assistance for any students who want it. Students are urged to seek information and help regarding substance abuse for themselves or their friends. A variety of services, including counseling, educational materials, campus Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and referrals are available at the following offices:
- Division of Student Affairs, Health and Wellness Deans, [tel]909.607.4101[/tel]
- Health Education Outreach Office, [tel]909.607.3602[/tel] or 3485
- Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services, [tel]909.621.8202[/tel]
- Student Health Services, [tel]909.621.8222[/tel]
B. In particular, Health Education Outreach will provide ongoing, student-centered education and prevention programs, including a peer education and training program, health promotional materials and activities throughout the academic year.
C. To protect students’ privacy, information regarding a student who is participating in any related program is treated as confidential.