COMMITMENT TO STUDENT HEALTH
AND EDUCATION
Rutgers University has well-established programs
to prevent the abuse of alcohol and other drugs and to offer
help to those who suffer from the consequences of alcohol
and other drug abuse. Some of the programs available on
and off campus are described in this document, and you will
be hearing more about these programs during the school
year. This mailing is a special opportunity for you to gain
an overview of alcohol and other drug issues on campus.
I. STANDARD OF CONDUCT
At Rutgers University, people of different cultures,
races, religions, and sexual orientations come together to
work and learn. One of our strengths is the diversity of our
community. Rutgers University encourages its students to
foster relationships with one another that are based on
caring and respect. Obeying the law and observing a stan
dard of conduct help to ensure that we take care of each
other and ourselves.
Rutgers University students are expected to demon
strate respect and regard for the rights, property, and
persons of all individuals; to take responsibility for and be
conscious of the consequences of their actions; and to act to
reduce risks oftlamage and harm to tliemselves and others.
We expect all members of the Rutgers community to help
protect each other from harm, including the harm that
results from the use or abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
All students are strongly urged to take the laws governing
alcohol and other drugs seriously, and by obeying them,
avoid exposing themselves and others to serious legal,
academic, and health risks.
All students and employees should know that
Rutgers University prohibits the unlawftil posses
sion, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol
on its property or as part of any of its activities.
Students at Rutgers University are expected to
abide by federal, state, and local laws. Members of the
community are provided no special protection if they are
caught using, possessing, or distributing illegal drugs. Since
alcohol use by those over 21 years of age, in accordance with
university regulations and public laws, is permissible,
Rutgers University has adopted guidelines to promote
responsible use. The University Policy on Alcoholic Bever
ages (Revised by the Board of Governors, 1984) states in its
text that:
The Universily does not have the authority to alter the
laws or secure exemption for determining how applicable
laws, regulations, and ordinances apply to them. Mem
bers of the University are individually responsible
for determining how applicable laws, regulations, and
ordinances apply to them, and for obeying them.
As a further guide to the responsible use of
alcohol, the Board of Governors adopted a set of
guidelines which are published in the 1984 Univer
sity Policy, available in Deans of Students ofBces. In
any group where alcoholic beverages are served it is
expected that at least one person designated by the
group be responsible for insuring adherence to these
guidelines.
Students are expected to be sensitive to the
fact that many of their peers cannot drink or choose
not to drink because of the provisions of law or for
other reasons. Making non-alcoholic beverages
available encourages greater freedom of choice and
reduces pressure to conform to drinking behavior.
Although a small proportion of college students may
be chronic drinkers, a larger number experience
problems associated with alcohol abuse.
Since we are interested in the health and
welfare of students, and know the grave conse
quences of alcohol and other drug abuse, we seek to
help students become better informed. We believe
alcohol and other drug education can have a positive
impact on attitudes and behavior. The potential for
responsible behavior increases with a greater under
standing of the effects of alcohol and other drugs,
including information about ^mptoms, causes, and
treatment of substance abuse.
n. ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS
A. Information and Research
Alcohol is the drug of choice for college
students. While illicit drug use by college students
has been declining over the past decade (by 20% for
all drugs including marquana and cocaine), alcohol
use has remained relatively unchanged. Recent
studies show that college students do more heavy
drinking (defined as 5 or more drinks on a single
occasion) than their non-college peers. This is
particularly true of white male college students.
In a 1987 Alcohol and Drug Survey of 606
students at Rutgers University, one quarter of the
students reported that drinking is part of their social
activities most of the time. 93% of the students
reported consuming alcohol in their lifetime, with
82% having consumed in the past year, and 63% in
the past week. 18% of the students did not drink
 - 2
alcohol. Our studies and others indicate that illicit drug
use correlates significantly with heavy alcohol use.
We are concerned about college students concep
tion of what constitutes normal drinking. People
develop their sense of a norm fi*om the people with whom
they associate. Because heavy drinking is common among
some of them, college students may have a skewed sense
of bow much alcohol it is safe to consume. For many
college students, their drinking resembles the binge
drinking of only a small percentage of the adult popula
tion. We also know some of the unique risks students
expose themselves to at parties where they drink bever
ages having unknown amounts of alcohol, drink without
eating, and often drink in crowded situations where it is
easy to get separated fi-om friends. Students are vulner
able to the same health risks as any drinker, but they also
expose themselves to some problems specific to campus
life.
B. Health Risks
Achieving and maintaining good health plays an
important role in succeeding at the University. Alcohol
misuse and the use of illicit drugs can cause both acute
and chronic medical problems, and interfere with health,
safety, social and family relationships, and academic
success.
Alcohol is a drug. In the short term and in
small amounts, alcohol reduces inhibitions by mildly tran-
quilizing the brain. As more alcohol is consumed (taking
into account other factors, such as mood, food eaten, body
size, social setting, drinkers expectations, other drugs in
the body, and the amount and time period of alcohol con
sumption), judgment is impaired, coordination and
speech affected, body temperature cools, and pulse and
breathing rate are lowered. When blood alcohol concen
trations exceed .10%, brain activity is further depressed,
reducing self-control, altering behavior, severely affecting
judgment, and dulling sensoiy perceptions. In fact, if too
much alcohol is drunk in too short a time, the brain
becomes anesthetized, where the drinker can go into a
coma and the heart and breathing can stop.
Short-term risks of drinking include accidents,
violence, vandalism, and iqjuty. Students who are
intoxicated often behave more aggressively than when
they are not intoxicated, ending up in fights, vandalizing
property, and iqjuring themselves or others. Drinking to
intoxication often has unpleasant effects, such 6is black
outs, hangovers, and vomiting. Students report other
problems with alcohol use as well: sleep disorders, diges
tive complaints, anxiety and eating disorders.
Alcohol abuse often plays a role in unplanned
pregnancies, acquaintance rape, forced sex, and assault
One quarter of female students report unwanted sexual
-
contact against their will or without their consent (acquain
tance rape). More than half of reported date rapes involve
alcohol, and one national report revealed that 75% of men
and 55% of women reported having been drinking or taking
drugs just before an attach.
In a 1989 Rutgers survey, only 37% of the students
who reported having sex under the influence of alcohol or
other drugs said that they practice safer sex, while 50% of
those who never use alcohol or other drugs said they do.
48% of the respondents reported having sex while under the
influence of alcohol or other drugs within 60 days of com
pleting the survey.
Long-term heavy drinkers can develop psychologi
cal and physical dependence on alcohol, increasing their risk
of developing liver and heart disease, circulatory problems,
peptic ulcers, cancers, and brain damage. Death fi-om
alcohol throughout the U.S. in 1985 was estimated at
94,768, including acute exposure to alcohol (e.g., overdose)
and long-term misuse (e.g., liver or kidney failure, cancers,
stroke, pneumonia or flu, accidents).
Health risks vary from drug to drug. Listing them
is complicated by the synergistic effect that drugs have on
one another when used in combination. The University
provides information on illicit drugs. The list of dangers
resembles the list for alcohol abuse, but also includes, as
examples, irregular heartbeat, overdose, p^chological
disturbances, seizures, and organ damage.
m.EDUCATION, COUNSELING, TREATMENT AND
REHABILITATION RESOURCES
A person may have a problem with drinking when
he or she drinks to get drunk, tries to solve problems by
drinking, has extreme changes in personality when drink
ing (e.g., becoming violent, loud or angry), drinks before
class or work, or causes harm to him/herself or others. A
similar range of symptoms applies to the use of illicit drugs.
Rutgers University offers a range of services for
students who want to learn more about alcohol and other
drugs, are concerned about their own or someone elses
chemical use, desire treatment or rehabilitation, or are
recovering firom chemical abuse problems.
The Alcohol an d O th er Drug A ssistance Pro
gram for Students (ADAPS) is a counseling and infor
mation program for students who are concerned about their
drinking or use of other drugs, about a fiiendss use/abuse,
or about drug or alcohol misuse in their family. The
ADAPS is a special service of the Rutgers Student Health
Service.
Seven programs are available through ADAPS: con
sultation, outreach, individual alcohol/drug counseling.
 - 3
awareness groups, recovery support groups, adult children
of alcoholics groups, and substance free on-campus housing
(for students who have made a serious commitment to
sobriety). SERVICES ARE CONFIDENTIAL; THERE IS
NO FEE. Students with concerns about alcohol or drag
misuse, either their own or by someone dose to them, are
encouraged to call and talk with an alcohol counselor.
ADAPS also consults with faculty and staff to assist them in
referring students.
The New J e rse y C ollegiate Substance Abuse
Pirogram (NJCSAP) is available for students in need of
more intensive addiction services, by providing outpatient
and on-campus inpatient treatm ent The NJCSAP inpa
tient program has a partial-residential component t.hAt
enables Rutgers students to maintain an academic schedule
while in treatm ent The ADAPS arranges referral for
Rutgers students in need of intensive outpatient or inpa
tient treatment with NJCSAP. Alcoholics Anonymous and
Narcotics Anonymous meetings are available both on and
off campus.
F o r help, inform ation, o r to schedule an appoint
m en t o n cam pus, call: in New Brunswick - 908-932-
7976; in Newark - 201-648-1236; in Camden - 609-757-
6005.
The Alcohol an d O th er Drug Elducation
P rogram fo r Training^A D EPT) iaavailable for stu-----
dents, faculty, and staff throughout the university. Stu
dents are encouraged to make responsible decisions about
using or not using alcohol and other drags, and to respect
the decisions of other students.
Skilled student alcohol/drag educators lead pro
grams and workshops upon request for student organiza
tions, residence halls, and classes. The goals of these
programs are to help students look at their own values and
behavior and how chemical use may or may not relate to
personal goals and activities, to help students leam how
alcohol and other drags act within the body and how they
are used generally and by college students, and to help stu
dents assist others who may have problems with chemical
abuse. In addition, students can help each other by learn
ing signs of problems, and by learning how to express
concern and offer support and suggestions.
ADAPS, (908)932-7976
Ms. Lisa L aitm an, D irector
ADEPT, (908)932-7710
Mr. R ichard Powell, C oordinator
NJCSAP, (908)932-6646
Mr. Milm Paulus, Co-Director
-
IV. FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS
As part of the Drag-Free Schools and Communi
ties Act, the federal government wants to ensure that
students are aware of the laws governing the use of
alcohol and illicit drags. Students, like any other citi
zens, are personally responsible for knowing the law. We
have selected for publication here some of the key laws
that we felt were most applicable to students. Campus
police and other local authorities have arrested students
for violating these (as well as other) laws. Publications
are available through the Acohol and Other Drag
Education Program for Training that contain further in
formation about alcohol and other drag laws.
This listing is culled from federal, state, and
municipal ordinances. It is not exhaustive, nor is it
meant to be. Complete listings of the laws, and informa
tion about them, are available at the university libraries.
A. Acohol
Loaning an ID card to an underaged friend or
using someone elses to obtain alcohol is punishable by a
fine of up to $300 or up to 60 days in jail. Selling, offer
ing, or exposing false BDs for sale is a disorderly persons
offense (NJSA 33:1-81.7).
Alcoholhrbeverages msgr be servedrmtyto those
of legal drinking age. Individuals and organizations
sponsoring a social activity where alcohol will be served
are held responsible for compliance with regulations
governing the use of alcohol (NJSA 2C:33-17).
-Individuals who have not attained the legal
drinking age may be subject to a penalty if they possess
or consume any alcohol in a public place. NJSA 2C:33-
15, Possession or Consumption of Alcohol in Public
Places by the Under-aged, states that anyone under 21
who knowingly possesses or consumes alcohol in a public
place is guilty of a disorderly persons offense and shall
be fined at least $100.
Anyone found to have an opened or unsealed
container holding an alcoholic beverage in a car or on the
street faces legal penalties. Penalties for violating "open
container ordinances" vaiy frx>m town to town. In New
Brunswick, the penalty is a fine of $100-$1000 and/or a
90-day jail term. In Piscataway, the penally is a fine of
up to $100 and/or a jail term of up to 15 days. Penalties
in Newark and Camden are a fine of up to $500 and/or a
jail term of up to 90 days.
B. Illegal Drags
The New Jersey Comprehensive Drag Reform
Act (NJS2C 1987, amended 1988) created new
offenses, increased penalties for existing offenses to
ensure the imposition of stem, consistent punish
ment for all dmg offenders, and transferr^ all drug
offenses into the Code of Criminal Justice. Rutgers
students are affected by this Act
Simple possession, use, or being under the
influence of maryuana can result in a fine of $500-
$15,000 and 0-18 months in jail. Cocaine, speed,
psilocybin, and LSD carry fines of $1,000-$15,000
and jail terms of 0-5 years for possession, use, or
being under the influence. Use or possession with
intent to distribute carries heavier penalties. Some
new penalties students should consider include those
falling under the Dmg-Free School Zones Act, estab
lished by state law. Penalties for certain drug
offenses committed within the school safety zones
are greatly increased. Many areas of the Rutgers
campuses are considered to be within these safety
zones.
V. UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE SANCTIONS
Rutgers University prohibits the illegal use
and/or distribution of alcohol and drags. O rdinar
ily th e university seeks expulsion o r suspen
sion for illegal substance distribution or
possession o f a sufficient quantity to indicate
th e in te n t to distribute. For illegal use, the Uni
versity may require mandatoiy assessment and
counseling (w i^ follow-up if indicated), and sanc
tions, short of suspension, as determined by individ
ual colleges. Your college will provide notice of its
rules and regulations. R utgers is com m itted to
helping people w ith substance abuse problem s
a n d encourages th em to seek assistance a t
ADAPS voluntarily. Seeking help for a sub
stance abuse problem will n o t resu lt in rep o rt
ing.
IlUcit drugs are prohibited on campus at all
times. The use of alcohol by those over 21 and in
accordance with university policy is permitted. The
Universitys alcohol policies apply to all members of
the University community and their guests or
visitors using University facilities. These regulations
also apply to University-chartered and recognized
organizations, student organizations, residence hall
organizations, fititernities, sororities, and events held
in University facilities where the consumption of
alcohol is permitted.
Individuals and organizations that fail to
abide by University policy and regulations governing
the use of alcohol are subject to disciplinary action in
accordance with established procedures at college
and university levels. Various disciplinary actions
for organizations indude forfeiture of student fee
support and losing their charter. Disdplinaiy
actions for individuals indude losing campus housing
and suspension or expulsion fi:om the University.
At Rutgers, in addition to the Urriversity
Policy, the individual colleges and residence halls
have specific rules for alcohol use. These regulations
are available fi:om residence hall staff, student cen
ters, Deans of Students offices, and the Office of Stu
dent Life Policy and Services.
Rutgers University has these polides and
sanctions because it has high expectations for
student achievement Alcohol and other drug abuse
affects that achievement This abuse affects others
as well: fiiends, families, roommates, classmates,
employers, and fellow employees. Relationships can
become strained, misunderstandings can occur, and
work performance can suffer. Substance abuse can
not only cause serious personal difficulties for indi
viduals, but can disrupt an entire college campus,
ruin relationships, and end lives. For students who
choose to drink, many are able to drink responsibly.
For students who seek help for themselves or others,
the University offers resources and support Work
ing together we can help realize our commitment to
education and health.
REFERENCES:
Social Drinking: For People Who Drink and People Who
Dont, and Alcohol, Wisconsin Clearinghouse; P.O.Box 1468 Madi
son, W I53701.
Alcohol: Decisions on Tap, American College Health Asso
ciation, 1300 Piccard Drive, Suite 200; Rockville, MD 20860.
Illicit Drug Use, Smoking, and Drinking By Americas Hig^
School Students, College Students, a n d ^ u n g Adults 1976-1987, for
NIDA (6600 Fishers Lane; Rockville, MD 20867) by University of
Michigan Institute for Social Research, 1988.
Journal of American College Health, Students. Alcohol, and
College Health: A Special Issue. Vol 36, No. 2, September, 1987.
Regulations Governing the Use of Alcoholic Beverages,
Rutgers University, Board of Governors, 1984.
Federal law requires the University to inform stu
dents of university policies, sanctions, and resources, of health
risks associated with alcohol and other drug use, and of
applicable local, state, and federal laws. We have desiraed this
document to meet the requirements of the Drug-Free Schools
and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 ((jFR 34 Part 86)
for drug-free schools and campuses.
Office of Student Life Policy and Services
301 Van Nest HaU
New Brunswick, N J 08903
THE STATE UNIVERSITY O F N E W JERSEY
RUTGERS