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The topics of Alcohol and Drugs are taken very seriously by the IU Police Department. We offer several programs to address these issues as well as others. We offer highly trained officers to speak to you and your group. For more information on these programs and others, visit the Community Programs. The IU Police Depatment is proactive in its efforts to combat the illegal use of alcohol and drugs. Our strategy is a two pronged effort: Education and Enforcement. Students are held accountable for their actions through the IU Judicial Systems as well as the Laws of Indiana. Please view the following materials and explore the links at the bottom of this page for more information on Alcohol and Drugs. |
Drunk Driving InformationAlcohol FactsEffects of AlcoholUniversity RulesThe LawsAdditional LinksHow you can InterveneAlcohol and the Body |
Alcohol Facts
- Alcohol is the most widely used legal drug by teens.
- The percentage of binge drinkers among Indiana high school seniors (36%) is higher than the national average (30%).
- Binge drinking is defined as drinking 5 or more drinks in one sitting for males and 4 or more drinks in one setting for females.
- The average age to first try alcohol is 12.5 years old.
- Beer is the first “beverage of choice” for underage drinkers.
- Alcohol is a “gateway” drug which can lead to illicit drug use (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc.).
- Young people who drink alcohol are EIGHT TIMES more likely to use illegal drugs.
- About 10 million current drinkers are under 21.
- Most teens don't know that a person can die from an alcohol overdose.
- If a person starts drinking before the age of 15, they are 40% more likely to develop alcoholism (NIAAA).
- 93% of 18-20 year olds say that alcohol is easy to get (IUPOL survey, 1997). DID YOU KNOW? If you take away the water and flavoring in alcohol, you are left with ethanol which is a key component in anesthetics and gasoline.
Effects of Alcohol
- Alcohol can cause impaired visual ability, distorted vision, and impairs the eye's ability to adjust to light.
- Alcohol causes eyes to become bloodshot and the pupils dilated.
- Alcohol impairs parts of the brain that control emotions and behavior.
- Alcohol may make a person “feel good” for a while, but its effects on coordination, judgment, memory, and concentration override this feeling.
- Alcohol induces extreme mood swings and emotional outbursts.
- The motor skills needed for safe driving are slowed or stopped.
- Long-term drinking may result in permanent brain damage, mental disorders, and addiction.
- Alcohol lessens the ear's ability to hear and distinguish sounds and tell which direction they are coming from.
- Alcohol can cause slurred speech and reduces or dulls the senses of taste. This diminishes the desire to eat, and can lead to serious malnutrition and dehydration.
- Alcohol irritates the lining of the esophagus, causing vomiting (sometimes bloody), severe internal bleeding, pain, and difficulty swallowing. It can also lead to throat and mouth cancer.
- Alcohol weakens the heart muscle and the ability to pump blood. It increases blood pressure because it constricts the flow of blood into the veins and the heart has to work harder to get the blood through. This leads to enlargement of the heart, which causes an irregular heart beat and high blood pressure.
- Alcohol reduces the lungs ability to fight infection which can lead to asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia. High amounts of alcohol might slow down or stop the respiratory center functions in the brain which means you might stop breathing or even die.
Alcohol slows down or stops the liver's ability to filter poisons and toxins out of the body. This causes the person to look “yellow” (jaundice) in their eyes and skin, and makes them bloated. It also slows or stops the body's ability to stop bleeding. Alcohol causes the liver to “get fat” which leads to hepatitis and cirrhosis (the liver turns green and hard as a rock). This is not reversible and leads to death! - Alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach and intestines causing ulcers, bleeding, and cancer. It can also cause severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It slows or stops the stomach's ability to digest food and process nutrients and vitamins.
- Alcohol slows or stops sexual functioning, leading to impotence (inability to get an erection) which can be IRREVERSIBLE! In females, alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer, infertility (not being able to get pregnant), and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
University Rules and Regulations
The following was taken from the Indiana University Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Handbook .
21. Unauthorized possession or use of alcoholic beverages.
- a. The following actions are prohibited by Indiana University:
- (1) Use or possession of alcoholic beverages on university property, or in the course of a university activity or student organization activity, contrary to law;
- (2) Use or possession of alcoholic beverages in any undergraduate residence supervised by the university, including fraternity and sorority houses;
- (3) Use or conspicuous possession of alcoholic beverages in or on any property of the university frequented by the public, except in areas specifically designated by the chief administrative officer of the campus.
- b. The possession or use of alcoholic beverages is not forbidden in the following areas of the university unless otherwise prohibited by law:
- (1) In designated graduate housing and residence hall buildings designated as restricted to students who are twenty-one years of age or older, including residence rooms and certain common areas approved for such purpose by the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students may enact rules to regulate such use or possession.
- (2) In designated undergraduate residences supervised by the university when temporary permission is granted by the Dean of Students for events at which persons twenty-one years of age or older may lawfully possess and use alcoholic beverages.
- (3) In designated family housing, including residence rooms, apartments and certain common areas approved for such purpose by the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students may enact rules to regulate such use or possession.
- (4) In Union Buildings, including guest rooms and certain other areas specifically approved by the chief administrative officer of the campus.
- (5) In other areas, such as private offices and faculty lounges, not accessible to the public and specifically approved by the chief administrative officer of the campus.
- c. Student organizations that serve or permit possession of alcoholic beverages at student organization functions, on or off campus, may be disciplined if violations of alcoholic beverage laws or of university regulations occur. Individual students who plan, sponsor, or direct such functions also may be subject to discipline.
22. Unauthorized possession or use of illegal drugs.
- a. The following actions are prohibited by Indiana University:
- (1) Use or possession of any drug or controlled substance, or of drug paraphernalia, on university property or in the course of a university activity or student organization activity, contrary to law. It is not a violation of university regulations for students to possess such drugs or controlled substances if they are possessed under the terms of a valid and legal prescription for such drugs or controlled substances.
- (2) Use of university facilities to manufacture, process, or distribute any drug or controlled substance contrary to law.
- (3) Sale, gift, or transfer of drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia to Indiana University students, whether or not such sale, gift, or transfer occurs on university property or in the course of a university activity or student organization activity.
- b. The term "controlled substance" is defined in Indiana law, and includes, but is not limited to, substances such as marijuana, cocaine, narcotics, certain stimulants and depressants, and hallucinogens.
The Laws
Here are a few of the laws in regards to alcohol and drugs. Do not think that this list is exhaustive, there are more. These are the commonly encountered laws by IU Police Officers. The following laws are current as of January 2003. The following text should be used as a guide not the definitive answer. Some text from the excerpts was omitted..
Alcohol Related
- IC 7.1-5-7-1 False statements of age
Sec. 1. (a) It is a Class C infraction for a minor to make a false statement of the minor's age or to present or offer false or fraudulent evidence of majority or identity to a permittee for the purpose of ordering, purchasing, attempting to purchase, or otherwise procuring or attempting to procure an alcoholic beverage.
(b) In addition to the penalty under subsection (a), a minor who:
(1) uses a false or altered driver's license or the driver's license of another person as evidence of majority under this section; or
(2) is convicted of purchasing or procuring an alcoholic beverage with or without using a false or altered driver's license;
shall have the minor's driver's license suspended for up to one (1) year in accordance with IC 9-24-18-8 and IC 9-30-4-9.
(c) Upon entering a judgment for the infraction under this section, the court shall forward a copy of the judgment to the bureau of motor vehicles for the purpose of complying with subsection (b). - IC 7.1-5-7-2 Furnishing false evidence of identification
Sec. 2. It is a Class C misdemeanor for a person to sell, give, or furnish to a minor false or fraudulent evidence of majority or identity with the intent to violate a provision of this title. - IC 7.1-5-7-3 Possession of false identity
Sec. 3. It is a Class C infraction for a minor to have in his possession false or fraudulent evidence of majority or identity with the intent to violate a provision of this title. - IC 7.1-5-7-7 Illegal possession
Sec. 7. (a) It is a Class C misdemeanor for a minor to knowingly:
(1) possess an alcoholic beverage;
(2) consume it; or
(3) transport it on a public highway when not accompanied by at least one (1) of his parents or guardians.
(b) If a minor is found to have violated subsection (a) while operating a motor vehicle, the court may order the minor's driver's license suspended for up to one (1) year. However, if the minor is less than eighteen (18) years of age, the court shall order the minor's driver's license suspended for at least sixty (60) days.
(c) The court shall deliver any order suspending the minor's driver's license under this section to the bureau of motor vehicles, which shall suspend the minor's driver's license under IC 9-24-18-12 for the period ordered by the court. - IC 7.1-5-7-8 Sales to minors prohibited
Sec. 8. (a) It is a Class C misdemeanor for a person to recklessly sell, barter, exchange, provide, or furnish an alcoholic beverage to a minor.
(b) This section shall not be construed to impose civil liability upon any educational institution of higher learning, including but not limited to public and private universities and colleges, business schools, vocational schools, and schools for continuing education, or its agents for injury to any person or property sustained in consequence of a violation of this section unless such institution or its agent sells, barters, exchanges, provides, or furnishes an alcoholic beverage to a minor. - IC 7.1-5-7-15 Aiding unlawful possession
Sec. 15. A person twenty-one (21) years of age or older who knowingly or intentionally encourages, aids, or induces a minor to unlawfully possess an alcoholic beverage commits a Class C infraction. - IC 7.1-5-1-3 Public intoxication prohibited
Sec. 3. It is a Class B misdemeanor for a person to be in a public place or a place of public resort in a state of intoxication caused by the person's use of alcohol or a controlled substance (as defined in IC 35-48-1-9). - IC 7.1-5-1-6 Intoxication upon common carrier prohibited
Sec. 6. It is a Class B misdemeanor for a person to be, or to become, intoxicated as a result of the person's use of alcohol or a controlled substance (as defined in IC 35-48-1-9) in or upon a vehicle commonly used for the public transportation of passengers, or in or upon a common carrier, or in or about a depot, station, airport, ticket office, waiting room or platform.
Drug Related
- IC 35-48-4-11 Possession of marijuana, hash oil, or hashish
Sec. 11. A person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally possesses (pure or adulterated) marijuana, hash oil, or hashish;
(2) knowingly or intentionally grows or cultivates marijuana; or
(3) knowing that marijuana is growing on his premises, fails to destroy the marijuana plants;
commits possession of marijuana, hash oil, or hashish, a Class A misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Class D felony (i) if the amount involved is more than thirty (30) grams of marijuana or two (2) grams of hash oil or hashish, or (ii) if the person has a prior conviction of an offense involving marijuana, hash oil, or hashish. - IC 35-48-4-8.3 Possession of paraphernalia
Sec. 8.3. (a) A person who possesses a raw material, an instrument, a device, or other object that the person intends to use for:
(1) introducing into the person's body a controlled substance;
(2) testing the strength, effectiveness, or purity of a controlled substance; or
(3) enhancing the effect of a controlled substance;
in violation of this chapter commits a Class A infraction for possessing paraphernalia.
(b) A person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally violates subsection (a); and
(2) has a previous judgment or conviction under this section;
commits possession of paraphernalia, a Class D felony.
(c) A person who recklessly possesses a raw material, an instrument, a device, or other object that is to be used primarily for:
(1) introducing into the person's body a controlled substance;
(2) testing the strength, effectiveness, or purity of a controlled substance; or
(3) enhancing the effect of a controlled substance;
in violation of this chapter commits reckless possession of paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Class D felony if the person has a previous judgment or conviction under this section. - IC 35-48-4-13 Visiting or maintaining a common nuisance
Sec. 13. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally visits a building, structure, vehicle, or other place that is used by any person to unlawfully use a controlled substance commits visiting a common nuisance, a Class B misdemeanor.
(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally maintains a building, structure, vehicle, or other place that is used one (1) or more times:
(1) by persons to unlawfully use controlled substances; or
(2) for unlawfully:
(A) manufacturing;
(B) keeping;
(C) offering for sale;
(D) selling;
(E) delivering; or
(F) financing the delivery of;
controlled substances, or items of drug paraphernalia as described in IC 35-48-4-8.5;
commits maintaining a common nuisance, a Class D felony. - IC 35-48-4-10 Dealing in marijuana, hash oil, or hashish
Sec. 10. (a) A person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally:
(A) manufactures;
(B) finances the manufacture of;
(C) delivers; or
(D) finances the delivery of;
marijuana, hash oil, or hashish, pure or adulterated; or
(2) possesses, with intent to:
(A) manufacture;
(B) finance the manufacture of;
(C) deliver; or
(D) finance the delivery of;
marijuana, hash oil, or hashish, pure or adulterated;
commits dealing in marijuana, hash oil, or hashish, a Class A misdemeanor, except as provided in subsection (b).
(b) The offense is:
(1) a Class D felony if:
(A) the recipient or intended recipient is under eighteen (18) years of age;
(B) the amount involved is more than thirty (30) grams but less than ten (10) pounds of marijuana or two (2) grams but less than three hundred (300) grams of hash oil or hashish; or (C) the person has a prior conviction of an offense involving marijuana, hash oil, or hashish; and (2) a Class C felony if the amount involved is ten (10) pounds or more of marijuana or three hundred (300) or more grams of hash oil or hashish or the person delivered or financed the delivery of marijuana, hash oil, or hashish:
(A) on a school bus; or
(B) in, on, or within one thousand (1,000) feet of:
(i) school property;
(ii) a public park;
(iii) a family housing complex; or
(iv) a youth program center. - IC 35-48-4-6 Possession of cocaine or narcotic drug
Sec. 6. (a) A person who, without a valid prescription or order of a practitioner acting in the course of the practitioner's professional practice, knowingly or intentionally possesses cocaine (pure or adulterated), a narcotic drug (pure or adulterated) classified in schedule I or II, or methamphetamine (pure or adulterated) commits possession of cocaine, a narcotic drug, or methamphetamine, a Class D felony, except as provided in subsection (b).
(b) The offense is:
(1) a Class C felony if:
(A) the amount of the drug involved (pure or adulterated) weighs three (3) grams or more; or
(B) the person was also in possession of a firearm (as defined in IC 35-47-1-5);
(2) a Class B felony if the person in possession of the cocaine, narcotic drug, or methamphetamine possesses less than three (3) grams of pure or adulterated cocaine, a narcotic drug, or methamphetamine:
(A) on a school bus; or
(B) in, on, or within one thousand (1,000) feet of:
(i) school property;
(ii) a public park;
(iii) a family housing complex; or
(iv) a youth program center; and
(3) a Class A felony if the person possesses the cocaine, narcotic drug, or methamphetamine in an amount (pure or adulterated) weighing at least three (3) grams:
(A) on a school bus; or
(B) in, on, or within one thousand (1,000) feet of:
(i) school property;
(ii) a public park;
(iii) a family housing complex; or
(iv) a youth program center. - IC 35-48-4-5 Dealing in a counterfeit substance
Sec. 5. A person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally:
(A) creates;
(B) delivers; or
(C) finances the delivery of;
a counterfeit substance; or
(2) possesses, with intent to:
(A) deliver; or
(B) finance the delivery of;
a counterfeit substance;
commits dealing in a counterfeit substance, a Class D felony. - IC 35-48-4-4 Dealing in a schedule V controlled substance
Sec. 4. (a) A person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally:
(A) manufactures;
(B) finances the manufacture of;
(C) delivers; or
(D) finances the delivery of;
a controlled substance, pure or adulterated, classified in schedule V; or
(2) possesses, with intent to:
(A) manufacture;
(B) finance the manufacture of;
(C) deliver; or
(D) finance the delivery of;
a controlled substance, pure or adulterated, classified in schedule V;
commits dealing in a schedule V controlled substance, a Class D felony, except as provided in subsection (b).
(b) The offense is a Class B felony if:
(1) the person:
(A) delivered; or
(B) financed the delivery of;
the substance to a person under eighteen (18) years of age at least three (3) years junior to the person; or
(2) the person delivered or financed the delivery of the substance:
(A) on a school bus; or
(B) in, on, or within one thousand (1,000) feet of:
(i) school property;
(ii) a public park;
(iii) a family housing complex; or
(iv) a youth program center. - IC 35-48-4-3 Dealing in a schedule IV controlled substance
Sec. 3. (a) A person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally:
(A) manufactures;
(B) finances the manufacture of;
(C) delivers; or
(D) finances the delivery of;
a controlled substance, pure or adulterated, classified in schedule IV; or
(2) possesses, with intent to manufacture or deliver, a controlled substance, pure or adulterated, classified in schedule IV;
commits dealing in a schedule IV controlled substance, a Class C felony, except as provided in subsection (b).
(b) The offense is a Class B felony if:
(1) the person:
(A) delivered; or
(B) financed the delivery of;
the substance to a person under eighteen (18) years of age at least three (3) years junior to the person; or
(2) the person delivered or financed the delivery of the substance:
(A) on a school bus; or
(B) in, on, or within one thousand (1,000) feet of:
(i) school property;
(ii) a public park;
(iii) a family housing complex; or
(iv) a youth program center. - IC 35-48-4-2 Dealing in a schedule I, II, or III controlled substance
Sec. 2. (a) A person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally:
(A) manufactures;
(B) finances the manufacture of;
(C) delivers; or
(D) finances the delivery of;
a controlled substance, pure or adulterated, classified in schedule I, II, or III, except marijuana, hash oil, or hashish; or
(2) possesses, with intent to:
(A) manufacture;
(B) finance the manufacture of;
(C) deliver; or
(D) finance the delivery of;
a controlled substance, pure or adulterated, classified in schedule I, II, or III, except marijuana, hash oil, or hashish;
commits dealing in a schedule I, II, or III controlled substance, a Class B felony, except as provided in subsection (b).
(b) The offense is a Class A felony if:
(1) the person:
(A) delivered; or
(B) financed the delivery of;
the substance to a person under eighteen (18) years of age at least three (3) years junior to the person; or
(2) the person delivered or financed the delivery of the substance:
(A) on a school bus; or
(B) in, on, or within one thousand (1,000) feet of:
(i) school property;
(ii) a public park;
(iii) a family housing complex; or
(iv) a youth program center. - IC 35-48-4-1 Dealing in cocaine or narcotic drug
Sec. 1. (a) A person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally:
(A) manufactures;
(B) finances the manufacture of;
(C) delivers; or
(D) finances the delivery of;
cocaine, a narcotic drug, or methamphetamine, pure or adulterated, classified in schedule I or II; or
(2) possesses, with intent to:
(A) manufacture;
(B) finance the manufacture of;
(C) deliver; or
(D) finance the delivery of;
cocaine, a narcotic drug, or methamphetamine, pure or adulterated, classified in schedule I or II;
commits dealing in cocaine, a narcotic drug, or methamphetamine, a Class B felony, except as provided in subsection (b).
(b) The offense is a Class A felony if:
(1) the amount of the drug involved weighs three (3) grams or more;
(2) the person:
(A) delivered; or
(B) financed the delivery of;
the drug to a person under eighteen (18) years of age at least three (3) years junior to the person; or
(3) the person manufactured, delivered or financed the delivery of the drug:
(A) on a school bus; or
(B) in, on, or within one thousand (1,000) feet of:
(i) school property;
(ii) a public park;
(iii) a family housing complex; or
(iv) a youth program center.
Additional Links:
- Indiana Prevention Resource Center
- Alcohol Drug Information Center
- Indiana Institute for Drug Abuse Prevention
- Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking
- Indiana Youth Institute
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminstration
- The Council on Alcohol and Drugs
- The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
- Talking with Kids about Alcohol and Drugs
- Alcohol and Drug Prevention
- College Drinking: Changing the Culture
- Office of National Drug Control Policy
Portions of the above information taken from the Indiana University Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Handbook , Indiana Code , and The Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking's Current Newsletter.
