Complying with the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act

EDGAR (34 CFR PART 86)

At a minimum, each school must distribute to all students and employees annually:

  • Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on school property or as part of any school activity.
  • A description of the applicable legal sanctions under the local, State and Federal law for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and the abuse of 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, or rehabilitation or re-entry programs that are available to employees or students.
  • A clear statement that the institution will impose 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 .

The law further requires an institution of higher education to conduct a biennial review of its program to:

  • determine its effectiveness and implement changes if they are needed
  • ensure that the sanctions developed are consistently enforced

In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Public Law 101-226, the Board of Regents of Waldorf University has established the following policies and awareness program to ensure a drug-free campus environment for Waldorf students and employees.

Waldorf prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees while on the college campus or in the immediate vicinity thereof, at any college function, on any college trip, or when in any way representing the college.

FOR EMPLOYEES

As a condition of employment, employees are given a copy of the Drug-Free Workplace statement and must abide by the terms therein. In addition, employees must notify the employer of any criminal drug statute conviction no later than five days after such conviction.

The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace include, but are not limited to: personal addiction, physical and emotional injury to self and/or co-workers, and decreased job performance which could result in damage or destruction of college property.

Waldorf recognizes its duty to address problems of drug use in such a manner as to safeguard to the greatest extent possible its capacity to carry out its educational mission with Christian concern. Consequently, while discipline will be taken, Waldorf's interest goes beyond a disciplinary response to the problem. Therefore, Waldorf will provide educational and informational help about drugs and the danger of their use and will require the use of counseling services and/or chemical dependency services that are available.

Waldorf shall refer for prosecution, to the proper authorities, any individual caught violating the stipulations set forth in the information presented above, and may suspend the individual with or without pay during the ensuing legal process. Waldorf also reserves the right to immediately terminate employment upon notification of a conviction of any federal or state criminal drug statute. However, under certain circumstances, in lieu of dismissal, Waldorf may choose suspension and/or mandatory counseling.

FOR THE STUDENTS

The Waldorf living guidelines clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, sale, or distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus or as any part of Waldorf activities. The sanctions for violation of the Waldorf alcohol and drug policies range from $100 fine and an educational program to dismissal from university. Please refer to the Waldorf Student Handbook for more information about living guidelines and sanctions.

In order that an environment for healthy living, study and sleep may be promoted:

  • Do not possess, use, sell, distribute, or have access to any illegal drug or drug paraphernalia. (Smell, haze in a room or area and other evidence that strongly leads one to believe that marijuana or other illegal drug was present, is grounds for a search).
  • Do not use, possess or have access to alcoholic beverages while on college campus or in the immediate vicinity thereof; do not purchase alcohol for minors. (Empty containers constitute possession and intoxication constitutes violation). Suspicion of a violation may result in a search and confiscation of alcohol related paraphernalia and an incident report filled out.

IOWA ALCOHOL RELATED LAWS

  • Open container in public - $250 fine
  • Disorderly conduct - $150 and/or 30 days in jail
  • Providing alcohol to minor - $350 - $1,000 and/or 1 year in jail
  • Person under the legal age consuming - $350 fine

A SNAPSHOT OF ANNUAL HIGH-RISK COLLEGE DRINKING CONSEQUENCES:

DEATH: 1400 college students die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.

INJURY: 500,000 students are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol.

ASSAULT: More than 600,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.

SEXUAL ABUSE: More than 70,000 students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.

UNSAFE SEX: 400,000 students had unprotected sex and more than 100,000 students report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex.

ACADEMIC PROBLEMS; About 25% of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing classes, falling behind, doing poorly on exams and papers, and receiving lower grades overall.
HEALTH PROBLEMS/SUICIDE ATTEMPTS; More than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem and between 1.2 and 1.5 percent of students indicate that they tried to commit suicide within the past year due to drinking or drug use.

DRUNK DRIVING: 2.1 million students drove under the influence of alcohol last year.

VANDALISM: About 11 percent of college student drinkers report that they have damaged property while under the influence of alcohol.

PEOPERTY DAMAGE: More than 25% of administrators from schools with relatively low drinking levels and over 50% from schools with high drinking levels say their campuses have a "moderate" or "major" problem with alcohol-related property damage.

POLICE INVOLVEMENT: About 5% of 4-year college students are involved with police or campus security as a result of their drinking and an estimated 11,000 students are arrested for an alcohol-related violation such as public drunkenness or driving under the influence.

ALCOHOL ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE: 31% of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6% for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months, according to a questionnaire-based self-reports about their drinking.

(Call to Action: Changing the Culture of Drinking at U.S. Colleges: Final Report of the Task Force on Changing Drinking )

Federal Penalties and Sanctions for Illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance 21 U.S.C. 844(a)

1st Conviction: Up to 1 year imprisonment and fined at least $1,000 but not more than $100,000, or both.

After 1 prior drug conviction: At least 15 days in prison, not to exceed 2 years and fined at least $2.500, but not more than $250,000, or both.

After 2 or more prior convictions: At least 90 days in prison, not to exceed 3 years and fined at least $5,000 but not more than $250,000, or both.

Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: Mandatory at least 5 years in prison, not to exceed 20 years and fined up to $250,000, or both, if:

  • 1st conviction and the amount of crack cocaine exceeds 5 grams.
  • 2nd crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams.
  • 3rd or subsequent crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 1 gram.

21 U.S.C. 853(a)(2) and 881 (a)(7). Forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance if that offense is punishable by more than 1 year imprisonment.

21 U.S.C. 881(a)(4): Forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance.

21 U.S.C. 844a: Civil fine of up to $10,000 (pending adoption of final regulations).

21 U.S.C. 853a: Denial of Federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses, up to 1 year for first offense, up to 5 years for second and subsequent offenses.

18 U.S.C. 922(g): Ineligible to receive or purchase a firearm.

Revocation of certain Federal licenses and benefits, e.g. pilot licenses, public housing tenancy, etc., are vested within the authorities of individual Federal agencies.

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses can 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 variety of aggressive acts. Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, 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 described. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake for the addicted person 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 of 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 children of becoming alcoholics.

RISKS TO SELF FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Physical/Mental Risks

  • Injuries (accidents, fights)
  • Damage to heart, liver, brain, and digestive track
  • A contributing factor to cancer of mouth, throat, liver and stomach
  • Malnutrition due to poor eating habits
  • Fatigue
  • Hangovers (headaches, vomiting)
  • Blackouts (periods of memory loss)
  • Decreased mental alertness
  • Decreased muscle coordination

Behavioral Risks

  • Mood swings (can result in feelings of euphoria, depression, fear, anxiety, etc.)
  • Aggressive/impulsive actions (can result from uncontrolled anger

Societal Risks

  • Relationship problems with family and friends
  • Legal problems – police arrests are lifetime records
  • Financial problems
  • Loss of job – careers are sometimes ruined
  • Reputation damage

Academic Risks

  • Absenteeism or poor attendance results in poor grades or failure
  • Poor concentration abilities
  • Poor performance in sports, theatre and music due to reduced mental alertness and muscle coordination

RISKS TO OTHERS AS A RESULT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

  • Verbal, emotional and physical abuse increased
  • Injuries as a result of assaults, vehicle accidents, brawls, etc.
  • The unborn children suffer when born with drug addiction and fetal alcohol syndrome
  • Family stress – parents, children and spouses suffer because of broken relationships.
  • Break-up of relationships with significant others.

RISKS TO PROPERTY AS A RESULT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

  • Vandalism on campus is increased
  • Crime on campus is increased
  • Economic loss results from repairs and replacements of destroyed or damaged property.

RESOURCES

The following materials are available from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) by mail or through the NIAAA Web site.

Task Force Report

  • A Call to Action: Changing the Culture of Drinking at U.S. Colleges
  • Final Report of the Task Force on Changing Drinking

Panel Reports

  • High-Risk Drinking in College: What We Know and What We Need to Learn. Final Report of the Task Force on College Drinking’s Panel on Contexts and Consequences.
  • How to Reduce High-Risk College Drinking: Use Proven Strategies, Fill Research Gaps. Final Report of the Task Force on College Drinking’s Panel on Prevention and Treatment.

Brochures

  • What College Presidents Need to Know About College Drinking
  • What Parents Need to Know About College Drinking
  • What Peer Educators and Resident Advisors (RAs) Need to Know About College Drinking

Waldorf Resources

  • Counseling Services
  • Health Services
  • Campus Ministry

Online Resources

Off-Campus Resources

Prairie Ridge Addiction Treatment Services

320 N Eisenhower
Mason City, IA 50401

Phone: 641-424-2391

North Iowa Mercy Health Center

1000 4 th St. SW
Mason City, IA 50401

Phone: 800-433-3883

Mercy Family Clinic – Forest City

635 Hwy 9 East
Forest City, IA 50436

Phone: 641-585-2904

View Waldorf University's student-athlete drug testing information.