Illegal Drug and Controlled Substance Policy
Illegal Drug & Controlled Substance Policy
Illegal substance use is a significant problem, which adversely affects all segments of our society. It is a particular problem on college campuses because it is disruptive to the mission of higher education.
The use and abuse of illegal or controlled substances is immoral as well as being illegal. Each of us has a responsibility to take care of ourselves as well as others. It is irresponsible to behave in a manner that threatens the health and safety of society. Furthermore, illegal substance use supports criminal elements that undermine our society as well as that of other countries. The possession, use, manufacture, and/or distribution of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia containing drug residue, and other controlled substances will not be tolerated. Any student found violating this policy is subject to severe disciplinary action including suspension and expulsion. In addition, the individual may be subject to criminal prosecution. The college cooperates fully with law enforcement officials, including the Salem Police, the Virginia State Police, and the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office, in such matters. In addition to the Roanoke College sanctions listed in Appendix C, members of the college community are subject to state and local alcohol and drug related penalties that include:
ALCOHOL
|
Violation |
Penalty |
|
Possession or consumption of alcohol under 21 (4.1-305) |
Misdemeanor; mandatory loss of driver's license for six months (up to 1 year) AND mandatory minimum $500 fine or 50 hours community service |
|
Use of fraudulent driver's license ID to purchase alcoholic beverages (4.1-305) |
Misdemeanor -- mandatory loss of driver's license for six months (up to 1 year) AND mandatory minimum $500 fine or 50 hours community service |
|
Drinking in Public (18.2-306) |
Misdemeanor; fine not to exceed $250 |
|
Intoxication in Public (18.2-388) |
Misdemeanor; up to $250 fine, non-jail able |
|
Purchase of alcoholic beverages for intoxicated individuals (4.1-306) |
Misdemeanor -- mandatory loss of driver's license for up to 1 year AND fine not to exceed $2500 and/or jail for up to 12 months |
|
Purchasing, giving, or assisting in providing alcohol to person under 21 (4.1-306) |
Misdemeanor -- mandatory loss of driver's license for up to 1 year AND fine not to exceed $2500 and/or jail for up to 12 months |
|
Purchase, possession, use, selling, or offering for sale or use powdered or crystalline alcohol (4.1-302.2) |
Misdemeanor -- mandatory loss of license for one year AND mandatory minimum $500 fine (up to $2500) or 50 hours community service; possible jail for up to 12 months |
|
Consuming alcoholic beverages while driving motor vehicle (18.2-323.1) |
Misdemeanor; fine not to exceed $250
|
|
Driving after illegally consuming alcohol under age 21-.02% BAC or more constitutes a violation; requires no showing of impaired driving |
Misdemeanor -- Suspension of driver's license for one year and either a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or performance of a mandatory minimum of 50 hours of community service. |
|
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI); .08% BAC presumes alcohol intoxication, but can be convicted on lower BAC; specified levels of certain drugs also presume intoxication |
Misdemeanor -- fine not to exceed $2500 (mandatory minimum of $250 and/or jail for 12 months, and loss of driver's license for 1 year, in addition to automatic, administrative 7-day license suspension upon arrest or refusal to take a breath test and immediate vehicle impound. |
|
Driving on Restricted permit with BAC of .02 or more (18.2-272, 46.2-389/391) |
Misdemeanor; fine not to exceed $2500 and/or jail for 12 months, and loss of driver's license for 1-3 years. |
|
Driving under the influence of alcohol with passenger age seventeen (17) or younger (18.2-270) |
Misdemeanor; with additional fine of $500 to $1000 and mandatory minimum five days in jail, beyond penalties for DUI |
|
Unreasonable refusal to take breath test (18.2-268.3/4) |
Loss of driver's license for 12 months |
|
Maiming (i.e., causing serious bodily injury) of another resulting from driving while intoxicated (18.2-51.4) |
Felony; 1 to 5 years prison OR 12 months jail and/or $2500 fine. Under egregious circumstances, penalties may be increased to 2-10 years in prison and up to $100,000 fine |
DRUGS
|
Violation |
Penalty |
|
Tobacco, Nicotine Vapor, and Alternative Tobacco Products Purchase, Use, or Possession by persons under age 21 |
1st Violation - Up to $100 fine and/or 20 hours of community service 2nd and Subsequent Violations - Up to $250 fine and/or 40 hours of community service |
|
Tobacco, Nicotine Vapor, and Alternative Tobacco Products Sale or Distribution to persons under age 21 |
1st Violation - Up to $100 fine |
|
Marijuana Possession |
Possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana may result in confinement up to 12 months, a fine of $2,500.00, court costs and attorney's fee. |
|
Hashish (Hash) Oil |
No longer a felony. Same as penalty for marijuana possession. |
|
Marijuana Sale/Distribution |
Not more than 1 ounce: Misdemeanor; 12 months jail and/or $2500 fine |
|
Sale or Manufacture of drugs on or near school properties (18.2-255.2) |
Felony; 1 to 5 years prison; fine not to exceed $100,000 |
|
Cocaine Possession (small amount) |
Felony; 1 to 10 years prison OR 12 months jail and/or $2500 fine |
|
Cocaine Sale/Distribution |
Felony - 5 years to life in prison and $1,000,000 fine |
|
Mushrooms (Hallucinogens) (18.2-250) |
Same as Cocaine |
|
Cannabimimetic Agent Possession (18.2-250(a)) |
Misdemeanor; 12 months jail and/or $2,500 fine |
|
Cannabimimetic Agent Manufacture/Sale/Gift/Distribution or Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Give/Distribute (18.2-248) |
Felony -5 to 40 years in prison and $500,000 fine |
|
Other Controlled Substances |
Same as Cocaine |
|
Anabolic Steroids |
Felony -- 1 to 10 years prison OR 12 months jail and/or $20,000 fine |
|
GHB (Date Rape Drug) |
Felony; 5 to 20 years prison and $100,000 fine |
|
Adulteration of food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, etc. (18.2-54.2) |
Felony; 5-20 years prison and $100,000 fine |
|
To cause or induce another to use inhalant (18.2-264b) |
Misdemeanor; 6 months jail and/or $1,000 fine |
|
Inhaling drugs or other noxious chemical substances (18.2-264a) |
Misdemeanor; 12 months jail and/or $2,500 fine |
|
Paraphernalia |
Misdemeanor; 12 months jail and/or $2500 fine |
Conviction of any Drug Offense could, in addition to the above penalties, include a six-month driver's license suspension
The college also recognizes a responsibility to educate students about drug use, and to aid students who have a drug problem in seeking help. To address this responsibility, the college conducts drug education programs that seek to inform students of the risks and moral implications of drug use. In addition, there are college personnel available to counsel students about drug problems, and local drug treatment centers to which individuals can be referred.
The primary source for substance abuse counseling and treatment on the Roanoke College campus is the Counseling Center. Professional counselors at the center are equipped to provide a variety of services including counseling, assessment, intervention, and referral. Although some in-depth substance abuse counseling is available at the Counseling Center, most cases requiring long-term work are routinely referred off campus.
The College has a close working relationship with local health care providers. A student with an indicated substance abuse problem may be required to have an assessment with the results released to the College. Further treatment is available in a variety of programs from inpatient care, to day treatment, to counseling. Additionally, there is an active AA organization in the local community that is helpful in providing ongoing support for those in some type of treatment program.
College officials will invoke the Alcohol/Substance Abuse Policy (see above) if they deem that a student is abusing alcohol to the extent that the student's behavior is either endangering him/herself or others, or is detrimental to the college's mission.