Drug Free University Community and Workplace

Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)

The University of Texas at Tyler is committed to the safety and well-being of Students, Employees, and the University Community. The University recognizes that the illegal and/or abusive use of alcohol or drugs may prevent the University from meeting its commitments and accomplishing its missions. Further, such use jeopardizes the safety and welfare of the individual, fellow Employees, Students, and the University Community.

In complinace with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, this serves as the annual notice to all faculty, staff, and students that the University of Texas at Tyler maintains an environment free from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, posession, or use of a controlled substance and/or alcohol in compliance with state and federal laws. This applies to all premises or property owned or controlled by the University or in vehicles used for University business.

AOD Policies

Resources

Students:

Student Counseling Center- Confidential Mental Health Counseling
Students in Recovery- Peer Support and Coaching, BASICS/CASICS harm reduction program
Wellness Center- Therapeutic activities that support relaxation and rejuvenation

Employees:

Employee Assistance Program- Confidential Personal Counseling Services
Tobacco Cessation Program- UT SELECT

Health Risks of Alcohol and Other Drugs

It is important that students and employees at the University of Texas at Tyler be aware of the health risks that accompany the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Alcohol. Health hazards associated with the excessive use of alcohol or with alcohol dependency include dramatic behavioral changes, impedance of motor skills, and impairment of reasoning and rational thinking. These factors result in a higher occurrence of accidents and accidental deaths for such persons than non-users of alcohol. Nutrition also suffers and vitamin and mineral deficiencies are frequent. Prolonged alcohol abuse causes bleeding from the intestinal tract, damage to liver, often resulting in cirrhosis, impotence, severe inflammation of the pancreas, and damage to the bone marrow, heart, testes, ovaries, and muscles. Damage to the nerves and organs is usually irreversible. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in alcoholics and is ten times more frequent than in non-alcoholics. Sudden withdrawal of alcohol from persons dependent on it will cause serious physical withdrawal symptoms.

Drugs. The use of illicit drugs usually causes the same general type of physiological and mental changes as alcohol, though frequently those changes are more severe and more sudden. Death or coma resulting from overdose of drugs is more frequent than from alcohol, but, unlike alcohol, abstinence can lead to reversal of most physical problems associated with drug use.

Cocaine. Cocaine is a stimulant that is most commonly inhaled as a powder. It can be dissolved in water and used intravenously. The cocaine extract (freebase) is smoked. Users progress from infrequent use to dependence within a few weeks or months. Psychological and behavioral changes resulting from the use include over-stimulation, hallucinations, irritability, sexual dysfunction, psychotic behavior, social isolation, and memory problems. An overdose produces convulsions and delirium and may result in death from cardiac arrest. Discontinuing the use of cocaine requires considerable assistance, close supervision, and treatment.

Amphetamines (speed, love drug, ecstasy). Patterns of use and associated effects are similar to cocaine. Severe intoxication may produce confusion, rambling, and incoherent speech, anxiety, psychotic behavior, ringing in the ears, hallucinations, and irreversible brain damage. Intense fatigue and depression resulting from use can lead to suicide. Large doses may result in convulsions and death from cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Heroin and other Opiates. These drugs are usually taken intravenously. "Designer" drugs similar to opiates include Fentanyl, Demerol, and "China White". Addiction and dependence develop rapidly. Impaired judgment, slurred speech, and drowsiness characterize use. Overdose is manifested by coma, shock, and depressed respiration, with the possibility of death from respiratory arrest. Withdrawal problems include sweating, diarrhea, fever, insomnia, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain.

Hallucinogens or Psychedelics. These include LSD, mescaline, peyote, and phencyclidine (PCP or "angel dust"). Use impairs and distorts one's perception of surroundings, causes bizarre mood changes, and results in visual hallucinations that involve geometric forms and colors, and persons or objects. Users who discontinue use experience "flashback", consisting of distortions of virtually any sensation. Withdrawal may require psychiatric treatment for the accompanying persistent psychotic states. Suicide is not uncommon.

Solvent inhalants, e.g., glue lacquers, plastic cement. Fumes from these substances cause problems similar to alcohol. Incidents of hallucinations and permanent brain damage are more frequent.

Marijuana (Cannabis). Marijuana is usually ingested by smoking. Prolonged use can lead to psychological dependence, disconnected ideas, and alteration of depth perception and sense of time, impaired judgment, and impaired coordination.

Damage from intravenous drug use. In addition to the adverse effects associated with the use of a specific drug, intravenous drug users who use un-sterilized needles, or who share needles with other drug users can develop AIDS, hepatitis, tetanus (lock jaw), and infections of the heart. Permanent brain damage may also result. The use of alcohol and many of these drugs cause birth defects of a very serious nature.

Campus Sanctions

An employee who unlawfully manufactures, sells, distributes, possesses, or uses a controlled substance in or on premises or property owned or controlled by the University, regardless of whether such activity results in the imposition of a penalty under a criminal statute, will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including termination, or will be required to participate satisfactorily in an approved drug assistance or rehabilitation program or both.
Students who are found engaging in conduct related to the use, possession, or distribution of drugs that are prohibited by state, federal, or local law may face arrest and suspension or expulsion from the university. These laws are strictly enforced by the UT Tyler Police, Tyler Police Department, and other local, state, and federal authorities. Additional penalties that may be imposed for conduct related to the unlawful use, possession, or distribution of drugs or alcohol include payment for damage to or misappropriation of property, suspension of rights and privileges, suspension for a specified period of time, expulsion, or such other penalty as may be deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

Penalties Under State of Texas Law

Manufacture or Delivery of Controlled Substances (Drugs). The minimum penalty is confinement in jail for a term of not more than two years or less than 180 days, and a fine not to exceed $10,000. The maximum penalty is confinement in Texas Department of Corrections (“TDC”) for life or for a term of not more than 99 years nor less than fifteen years, and a fine not to exceed $250,000.
Possession of Controlled Substances (Drugs). The minimum penalty is confinement in jail for a term of not more than two years or less than 180 days, and a fine not to exceed $10,000. The maximum penalty is confinement in TDC for life or for a term of not more than 99 years nor less than fifteen years, and a fine not to exceed $250,000.
Delivery of Marijuana. The minimum penalty is confinement in jail for a term of not more than 180 days, a fine not to exceed $2,000, or both. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for life or for a term of not more than 99 nor less than ten years, and a fine not to exceed $50,000.
Possession of Marijuana. The minimum penalty is confinement in jail for a term of not more than 180 days, a fine not to exceed $2,000, or both. The maximum penalty is confinement in TDC for life or for a term of not more than 99 nor less than five years, and a fine not to exceed $50,000.
Driving While Intoxicated (includes intoxication from alcohol, drugs, or both). The minimum penalty is confinement in jail for a term of not more than 180 days nor less than 72 hours, and a fine of not more than $2,000. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for a term of not more than ten years nor less than two years, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
Public Intoxication. The minimum penalty is a fine not to exceed $500. The maximum penalty varies with age and number of offenses.
Purchase of Alcohol by a Minor. The minimum penalty is a fine not to exceed $500. The maximum penalty varies with age and number of offenses.
Consumption or Possession of Alcohol by a Minor. The minimum penalty is a fine not to exceed $500. The maximum penalty varies with number of offenses.
Purchasing for or Furnishing of Alcohol to a Minor. The minimum penalty is a fine not to exceed $4,000 or confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. The maximum penalty is a fine not to exceed $4,000 or confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both.

The penalties described above are based on applicable State of Texas statutes and are subject to change at any time by the Texas Legislature and the Governor of Texas. Please refer to the applicable State of Texas statute for additional information.

Penalties Under Federal Law

Manufacture, Distribution, or Dispensing of Drugs (including marijuana). The minimum penalty is a term of imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of $250,000, or both. The maximum penalty is a term of life imprisonment without release (no eligibility for parole) and a fine not to exceed $8,000,000 for an individual or $20,000,000 (if other than an individual).
Possession of Drugs (including marijuana). The minimum penalty is imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of not less than $1,000, or both. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for not more than 20 years nor less than five years and a fine of not less than $5,000, plus costs of investigation & prosecution.
Distribution of Drugs to a Person Under 21 Years of Age. The minimum penalty is double the federal penalty for distribution of drugs. The maximum penalty is triple the federal penalty for distribution of drugs.

The federal penalties described above are based on applicable federal statutes and are subject to change at any time by the U.S. Congress and the President of the United States. There are additional factors in the federal sentencing guidelines, including various enhancement provisions for prior offenses. Title 21 U.S.C. Section 860 provides that the federal statutory penalties double (and in some cases triple) when a controlled substance is distributed (or even possessed with intent to distribute) within 1,000 feet of a school or a public university. Please refer to the applicable federal statute for additional information.