FIU
is
committed
to
providing
an
academic
and
workplace
environment
free
of
the
illegal
use
and
abuse
of
alcohol
as
well
as
all.
Florida
law
prohibits
the
sale
or
distribution
of
illicit
drugs
within
a
200-
foot
perimeter
of
University
property.
The
policy
provides
information
regarding
the
health
risks
associated with
substance
abuse;
university & community
resources
that
provide
drug
and
alcohol
counseling,
treatment,
or
rehabilitation
assistance;
and
a
description
of
the
legal
and
standards
of
conduct.
See
also
the "Substance
Abuse" page
under "Health
Topics" on
the
Student
Health
Services
Home
Page
Policy
Statement
Procedures
Health
Risks:
- Alcohol
- Anabolic
steroids
- Cocaine
- Depressants
- Rohypnol
- Hallucinogens
- Inhalants
- Marijuana
- Narcotics
- Other
Stimulants
Legal
Sanctions
Standards
of
Conduct
Campus
Assistance
for
students
and
employees
Policy
Statement:
The
unlawful sale, purchase, distribution,
possession or use of any controlled
substance or the unlawful possession
and use of alcohol is prohibited
in or on Florida International
University owned or controlled
property, or within a 200- foot
perimeter of University property.
No employee/student is to report
to work/class or any University
activity while under the influence
of illegal drugs or alcohol.
Violation of these policies by
an employee/student shall be
reason for evaluation/treatment
for a drug/alcohol use disorder
or for disciplinary action up
to and including termination of
employment or expulsion from
the University. Such action will
be in accordance with the standards
of Student Conduct@ or with applicable
collective bargaining agreements
for employees and other policies
and procedures; or referral for
prosecution consistent with local,
state, and federal law. To comply
with federal Drug - free Schools/Campuses
Act, Florida International University
will provide an annual notice
regarding its drug prevention
program to students and employees
and conduct a biennial review
of the program.
The
University will continue to provide
comprehensive Drug - free awareness
and educational programs for
employees and students.
Procedures:
To
comply
with
the
Federal
Drug
-
free
Workplace
Act,
Florida
International
University
has
adopted
the
following
procedures:
1)
An
individual
employed
by
grant
or
contract
shall
notify
his/her
supervisor
or
other
appropriate
management
representative
of
any
criminal
drug
statute
conviction
for
a violation
occurring
in
the
workplace
no
later
than
five
days
after
such
conviction.
2)
The
University
shall
notify
any
federal
contracting
agency
within
10
days
of
having
received
notice
that
an
employee
engaged
in
the
performance
of
such contract
or
grant
has
had
a
criminal
drug
statute
conviction
for
a
violation
occurring
in
the
workplace.
3)
The
University
will
take
appropriate
personnel
action
with
any
such
employee
who
is
so
convicted,
or
require
the
employees
satisfactory
participation
in
a
drug abuse
assistance
or
rehabilitation
program.
Health
Risks Associated with Substance
Abuse
Many
physical and mental health risks
are associated with the abuse
of both legal and illicit drugs.
The spectrum of substance abuse
affects not only the user, but
family members, work associates,
and classmates. Productivity,
academic performance, work quality,
motivation, judgment, pregnancy,
and personality can be adversely
affected.
Alcohol
Alcohol
is the most commonly abused drug
and is most frequently associated
with school, job, social, health
and legal problems. Alcohol consumption
results in several behavioral
changes. Judgment and coordination
are significantly affected by
low doses, whereas aggressive
behavior characterizes the use
of moderate doses of alcohol.
High levels of alcohol consumption
may lead to impairments in learning
and memory. Very high doses or
low doses combined with other
depressants, result in respiratory
depression, coma, and death.
Persistent
use of alcohol can lead to physical
dependence. Sudden cessation
of alcohol intake usually results
in life-threatening withdrawal
symptoms, including severe anxiety,
hallucinations, tremors, and
seizures. Prolonged alcohol abuse
is frequently associated with
poor nutrition which often permanently
damages vital organs such as
the brain and liver.
Women
who drink during pregnancy may
give birth to infants with irreversible
physical abnormalities and mental
retardation, which are signs
of fetal alcohol syndrome. Children
of alcoholic parents are more
likely to abuse alcohol themselves.
Anabolic
Steroids
Closely
related to the male sex hormone
testosterone, anabolic steroids
may be prescribed for a limited
number of medical conditions
such as severe burns and certain
types of anemia and cancers.
When combined with a program
of muscle-building exercise and
diet, steroids may contribute
to increases in body weight and
muscular strength.
However,
more than 70 psychological and
physical side effects may result
from steroid use. Some effects
result from steroid use. Some
effects such as acne, jaundice,
sterility, impotency, leg swelling,
trembling, aggressive behavior,
and depression may appear quickly;
others, such as heart attack,
stroke, and liver cancer may
occur after many years.
Cocaine
Cocaine
use can produce psychological
and physical dependence. Also,
regular users rapidly develop
tolerance, needing to take larger
doses to achieve the same initial
effect. As cocaine stimulates
the central nervous system, its
immediate effects include elevated
blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory
rate, and body temperature. Occasional
use can cause stuffy or runny
nose, whereas chronic use can
result in ulcerations and rupture
of the mucous membrane in the
nose. Injecting cocaine with
unsterile or blood contaminated
needles can transmit HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis, and other infections. Preparation
of free-base, which involves
the use of highly volatile solvents,
can result in fire or explosion.
Crack
or freebase rock, a concentrated
form of cocaine, is extremely
potent, as its effects are evident
with in 10 seconds. Physical
effects include palpitations,
elevated pulse and blood pressure,
loss of appetite, insomnia, dilated
pupils, tactile hallucinations,
paranoia, and seizures. Cocaine
use may lead to high-risk pregnancy.
Cocaine use during pregnancy
may result in the birth of a
cocaine-addicted baby who may
experience withdrawal symptoms
shortly after birth, mental retardation,
and permanent mental and physical
disabilities.
Depressants
(barbiturates,
tranquilizers)
The
effects of depressants are similar
to those of alcohol. Large doses
can cause slurred speech, staggering
gait, and altered perception;
very large doses can cause respiratory
depression, coma, and death.
Consuming alcohol and depressants
will multiply these effects.
These effects will occur with
lower doses of depressants when
combined with alcohol.
The
use of depressants can cause
both physical and psychological
dependence. Tolerance may result
after regular use. Withdrawal
symptoms ranging from anxiety
to seizures and death result
from abrupt termination of abuse.
Women
who abuse depressants during
pregnancy may give birth to babies
who are physically dependent.
These babies often have birth
defects and behavioral problems
and may even develop withdrawal
symptoms shortly after birth.
Rohypnol
Rohypnol,
or "Roofies" is
a strong depressant drug, commonly
known as the "Date
Rape" drug.
When ingested frequently in conjunction
with alcohol or other drugs,
including heroin, its effects
begin within 30 minutes, peak
within 2 hours, and may persist
for up to 8 hours or more, depending
upon the dosage. Adverse effects
associated with the use of Rohypnol
include decreased blood pressure,
memory impairment, drowsiness,
visual disturbances, dizziness,
confusion, gastrointestinal disturbances,
and urinary retention.
Rohypnol
use causes dependence in humans.
Once dependence has developed,
abstention induces withdrawal
symptoms, including headache,
muscle pain, extreme anxiety,
tension, restlessness, confusion,
and irritability. Numbness, tingling
of the extremities, loss of identity,
hallucinations, delirium, convulsions,
shock, and cardiac arrest also
may occur. Withdrawal seizures
can occur a week or more after
cessation of use.
Flunitrazepam
is sold under the trade name
Rohypnol, from which the street
name "Rophy" is
derived. In South Florida, street
names include "circles," "Mexican
valium," "rib," "roach-2," "roofies," "roopies," "rope," "ropies," and "ruffies." Being
under the influence of the drug
is referred to a being "roached
out." In
Texas, flunitrazepam is called " R-2" or "roaches."
Hallucinogens
Phencyclidine
(PCP) produces dramatic behavioral
alterations, memory and speech
difficulties, depression, paranoid
and violent behavior, and hallucinations.
Large doses of PCP may produce
convulsions, heart and lung failure,
coma, and death.
Lysergic
acid (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin
cause illusions and hallucinations.
Physical effects include rapid
heart rate, increased blood pressure,
dilated pupils, tremors, and
insomnia. Psychological effects
include panic, confusion, suspicion,
anxiety, and flashbacks.
Inhalants
Many
psychoactive substances are inhaled
as gases of volatile liquids.
Some commercial products such
as paint thinners and cleaning
fluids are mixtures of volatile
substances, resulting in a great
variety of symptoms.
Immediate
effects of inhalants include
nausea, sneezing, coughing, nosebleed,
fatigue, lack of coordination,
and loss of appetite. Solvents
and aerosol sprays may decrease
heart and respiratory rates and
impair judgment Amyl and butyl
nitrate causes rapid pulse, headaches,
and urinary and fecal incontinence.
Long-term use may result in hepatitis,
brain damage, weight loss, fatigue,
electrolyte imbalance, and muscle
weakness. Repeated use of inhalants
may permanently damage the nervous
system.
Marijuana
Physical
effects associated with marijuana
use include increases in heart
rate and blood pressure, blood-shot
eyes, dry mouth, and hunger.
Marijuana smoke is carcinogenic
and damaging to the respiratory
system.
Use
of marijuana may impair short-term
memory and concentration, alter
sense of time, and reduce coordination
and motivation. Marijuana can
also produce paranoia and psychosis.
Long-term use may result in psychological
dependence.
Narcotics
(heroin, morphine, codeine, Demerol,
Percodan)
Narcotics
initially produce a feeling of
euphoria followed by drowsiness,
nausea, and vomiting. Users may
experience constricted pupils,
watery eyes, and itching. An
overdose may produce slow and
shallow breathing, clammy skin,
convulsions, coma, and death.
Tolerance
to narcotics develops rapidly
and dependence is likely. Intravenous
injection may cause AIDS, hepatitis,
and cardiac disease. Addiction
in pregnant women can lead to
premature, stillborn, or addicted
infants who may exhibit withdrawal
symptoms.
Other
Stimulants (amphetamines)
Symptoms
of stimulant use include increased
heart and respiratory rates,
elevated blood pressure, dilated
pupils, excessive perspiration,
headache, dizziness, sleepiness,
anxiety, and loss of appetite.
When consumed in large quantities,
palpitations, irregular heartbeat,
tremors, loss of coordination,
coma, and death may result. Regular
use can lead to an amphetamine
psychosis that includes hallucinations,
delusions, and paranoia.
Legal
Sanctions
Federal,
state and local law outlaw possession,
use, and distribution of illicit
drugs. Additionally, the law
prohibits the use of alcohol
by underage persons, distribution
of alcohol to underage persons,
sale of alcohol without a license,
and driving under the influence
of alcohol. The minimum drinking
age in Florida is 21 years old
for all alcoholic beverages,
including beer and wine.
Standards
of Conduct
All
Students, faculty, and staff
are expected to recognize the
potential health risks associated
with alcohol and drug abuse and
that such abuse is in conflict
with the University’s Drug-Free
Workplace and campus policies.
The Student
Handbook includes
the FIU Alcohol Policy and
the Student Code of Conduct,
which outlines disciplinary
actions. Students should review
these sections of the Handbook
and become familiar with possible
consequences, including expulsion
from the University.
Contact:
Val
Berry--Director,
Human
Resources
Location:
PC 220,
UP
Phone:
305-348-2183
Campus
Drug and Alcohol Counseling,
Assistance, & Referral
As
part of the University’s goal
to provide a drug-free workplace/school
environment, we recognize the
need to provide drug and alcohol
counseling, treatment and rehabilitation
assistance to students and employees.
For
students,
the following departments offer
information and referral sources:
Health & Wellness
Center:
HWC
at
UP
campus
HWC
at
NC
Services
available: Health Clinic, Alcohol
and Drug Education and Resource
Center, free literature, peer
health educators, and referral
to community agencies. Certified
by the District Department of
Health of Florida.
Phones:
UP: 305-348-4020; NC:
305-919-5307
Student
Counseling Center:
GC
211
at
UP
campus
WUC
at
NC
Services
available: Counseling and assessment
services; referral
Phones:
UP: 305-348-2434; NC:
305-919-5305
For
faculty and staff:
Office
of Human Resources provides referral
and assistance to all employees
and provides information regarding
use of employee benefits for
treatment programs, including
Employee Assistance Program.
The
Alcohol and Drugs Education Center
in the Health and Wellness Center,
the Student Counseling Center,
the Student Health Clinic, and
the Office of Human Resources
also provide brochures, films,
videos, and information about
community services available
to students, faculty, and staff.
