University of Pittsburgh Drug-Free Schools Annual Notification

University of Pittsburgh Drug-Free Schools Annual Notification

To implement its commitment to provide a drug-free environment for its students, faculty, and staff, the University of Pittsburgh prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance on University property or as part of any University activity. Faculty, staff, and students of the University must also comply with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law on the possession and con­sumption of alcohol and other drugs. Any University employee paid from federally funded grants or contracts, or any student participating in any feder­ally funded or guaranteed Student Loan Program, must noti­fy the University of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring at the University or while engaged in University activities. Upon request, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources must provide a copy of this notification to the Secretary of Education and members of the general public.

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act requires that, as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any federal program, an institution of higher education, state educational agency, or local edu­cational agency must certify that it has adopted and imple­mented a program to prevent the possession, use, or distrib­ution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. As set forth in the statute, the University of Pittsburgh’s program is required to provide at a minimum:

a.   An annual distribution, in writing, to each employee and student (regardless of the length of the student’s program of study), including:

i.    Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit, at a mini­mum, unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its prop­erty or as part of any of its activities;

ii.   A description of applicable legal sanctions under local, state, or federal law;

iii. A description of health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol;

iv. A description of available drug or alcohol counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation or re-entry programs;

v.   A clear statement of the disciplinary sanctions that the University may impose on students and employees; and,

b.   A biennial review by the University of its programs to deter­mine the program’s effectiveness, implement needed changes, and help ensure that disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.

Student Sanctions – Alcohol and Drugs

Students charged under the Code of Conduct for the possession and/or consumption of alcohol or drugs will face disciplinary sanctions including, but not limited to, disciplinary reprimand, educational programs, community service, housing probation, disciplinary probation, and fines. A notification will be sent to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of students who are under the age of 21 that are found to be responsible for violating the University’s alcohol and/or drug policies.

Students whose use of alcohol or drugs that results in harm or the threat of harm to themselves or others, or to property, whether on or off campus, may face disciplinary action by the University up to and including dismissal. An accumulation of violations may lead to disciplinary suspension, or even dismissal, when appropriate.

As members of the University community, students are also subject to city ordinances and to state and federal law. Arrest and prosecution for alleged violations of criminal law or city ordinances may result from an incident that may also violate the University’s Code of Conduct, and thus, there may be times when a student must address alleged violations through both the criminal and University processes.

Commonly Imposed Sanctions For Code of Conduct Alcohol or Drug Violations:

Social Impact

Alcohol and drug abuse is a public health issue that poses serious consequences. Those who abuse these substances can not only create problems for themselves, but also impact employers, co-workers, peers, relationships and society in general. Such substance abuse is an issue that can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, socio-economic status, or occupation. Over 1,800 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related, unintended injuries each year. Substance use is also associated with a decrease in educational outcomes for those who misuse substances, including academic problems, lower grades, and reduced graduation rates. Among students, substance use also increases the risk of injury, violence, and legal issues.

Alcohol and marijuana continue to be choice drugs among college students nationally. Of full-time college students, 4.6% percent reported daily marijuana use. Nearly 60% of college students reported consuming alcohol in the prior month and nearly 2 out of 3 of these students had engaged in binge drinking at least once during that time period. Despite the attention placed on alcohol and other drug use on college campuses in the media, surveys support that most Pitt students who consume alcohol do so in responsible ways, if they make the decision to drink at all.

Health Effects

Substance use can contribute to a number of problems, including those that impact one’s health and wellness. These problems can include both short-term and long-term effects, as well as direct and indirect effects. Possible impacts may include, but are not limited to, developing a substance abuse disorder, organ damage, increased risk of accidents, triggering or worsening psychiatric conditions, and risk of health complications that can be worsened by mixing drugs or medications. Misusing substances poses potential risks including:

For more information about Fentanyl and its effects, please visit the Drug Enforcement Agency website at https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl

In addition to complying with state and federal statutes and regulations, the University has a desire to identify and control, to the extent possible, environmental factors that influence the health and safety of members of the academic community. These factors include efforts to prevent and minimize possible problems related to alcohol and other drug use.

Prevention and Education

The University will provide students with resources and programs that focus on the danger of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as the possible reprimands and sanctions that may follow when an alcohol or drug policy or law violation occurs.  The University will also distribute literature informing employees of the dangers of drug abuse in the work place, and provide information on available services including counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs.

Students are expected to be familiar with the rules and regulations as outlined in the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville Student Code of Conduct as it relates to alcohol and other drugs. The applicable legal sanctions under federal, state, and/or local laws include, but are not limited to a monetary fine, suspension of driver’s license, imprisonment, community service, counseling/treatment, and/or completion of a mandatory education program.

Alcohol and other drug programs on the University of Pittsburgh campus are delivered through three levels of prevention programming: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

Primary prevention is directed towards the entire campus population regardless of their decision to use or not use alcohol or other illicit drugs. The University’s programs incorporate materials on responsible decision-making and lifestyle choices. Efforts are directed toward creating a supportive campus environment that encourages students to not use illicit drugs, and to use alcohol in a legal and responsible manner. Programs are aimed at preventing the misuse or abuse of substances.

Secondary prevention is designed to identify and assist students who exhibit possible problematic substance use and who are suitable for brief intervention strategies.

Tertiary prevention is focused on assisting students who may have a substance abuse issue and includes aiding these students in their treatment, relapse prevention, recovery, and maintenance of their recovery.

The Health Center and Counseling Center offer a variety of services and programs to encourage positive health behaviors among the student population. Throughout the year, there are outreach events and programs provided to the campus community on health topics, including alcohol and drug use.

Program Administration

For further information regarding the Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free Schools Policy contact:

University of Pittsburgh at Titusville

     Office of Human Resources     814-827-4422

     Office of Student Affairs          814-827-4460

Information and Assistance for Alcohol or Drug Abuse

An important step in overcoming any problem is to know where to turn for assistance.  Information, counseling, and treatment for alcohol or drug problems are available through resources in the community and costs may be covered by health care benefits. Some of the resources include:

Alcoholics Anonymous

Student Health Service

Student Union 219
504 East Main Street
Titusville, PA  16354
814-827-4467

University Counseling Center
Student Union 218
504 East Main Street
Titusville, PA  16354
814-827-4465

Family Service & Children’s Aid Society of Venango County
119 East Mechanic Street, Suite A
Titusville, PA 16354
814-827-3472

Student Health Service • Student Union Room 219 • 814-827-4467

The Health Center offers a variety of services to enhance personal and community health along with informative materials that encourage healthy lifestyles. The harm that often results from substance abuse is of great concern to our campus community; therefore, many prevention and intervention programs are available to students throughout their college years. In addition to the educational programs provided to Freshman Studies classes and campus groups are offered to stu­dents.

Counseling Center • Student Union Room 218 • 814-827-4465

Mental health professionals are available to help stu­dents with any personal problems or concerns.  People come to the center for a wide variety of reasons: personal prob­lems involving relations with parents or peers, emotional or social difficulties, marital conflicts, concerns about aca­demic progress, etc. Confidentiality is strictly maintained.

The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the fall and spring terms.  The center is not open May 1^st through July 31^st. For after-hours crisis response, call Campus Police at 814-827-4488 and they will get a counselor in contact with you. There is no charge for counseling services at the University Counseling Center.

For information or appointments, call 814-827-4465 or visit the Counseling Center in Student Union Room 218.

Federal Drug Laws

The possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs is prohibited by federal law. Strict penalties are enforced for drug convictions, including mandatory prison terms for many offenses. The following information, although not complete, is an overview of federal penalties for first convictions. All penalties are doubled for any subsequent drug conviction. For more information on Federal Drug Laws, please visit the Drug Enforcement Agency website using the following links:

DEA Controlled Substances Act: https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/csa

DEA Drug Scheduling: https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling

Denial of Federal Aid (20 USC 1091)

Under the Higher Education Act of 1998, students convicted under federal or state law for the sale or possession of drugs will have their federal financial aid eligibility suspended. This includes all federal grants, loans, federal work study programs, and more. Students convicted of drug possession will be ineligible for one year from the date of the conviction of the first offense, two years for the second offense, and indefinitely for the third offense. Students convicted of selling drugs will be ineligible for two years from the date of the first conviction, and indefinitely for the second offense. Those who lose eligibility may regain eligibility by successfully completing an approved drug rehabilitation program.

Forfeiture of Personal Property and Real Estate (21 USC 853)

Any person convicted of a federal drug offense punishable by more than one year in prison shall forfeit to the United States any personal or real property related to the violation, including houses, cars, and other personal belongings. A warrant of seizure is issued and property is seized at the time an individual is arrested on charges that may result in forfeiture.

Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties (21 USC 841)

Penalties for federal drug trafficking convictions vary according to the quantity of the controlled substance involved in the transaction. The following list is a sample of the range and severity of federal penalties imposed for first convictions. Penalties for subsequent convictions are twice as severe.

If death or serious bodily injury result from the use of a controlled substance which has been illegally distributed, the person convicted on federal charges of distributing the substance faces mandatory life sentence and fines ranging up to $8 million.

Persons convicted on federal charges of drug trafficking within 1,000 feet of a University (21 USC 845a) face penalties of prison terms and fines which are twice as high as the regular penalties for the offense, with a mandatory prison sentence of at least 1 year.

For more information regarding drug trafficking penalties, please visit the Drug Enforcement Agency website at https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/drug_of_abuse.pdf#page=30

Federal Drug Possession Penalties (21 USC 844)

Persons convicted on Federal charges of possessing any controlled substance face penalties of up to 1 year in prison and a mandatory fine of no less than $1,000 up to a maximum of $100,000. Second convictions are punishable by not less than 15 days but not more than 2 years in prison and a minimum fine of $2,500. Subsequent convictions are punishable by not less than 90 days but not more than 3 years in prison and a minimum fine of $5,000. Possession of drug paraphernalia is punishable by a minimum fine of $750.

Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine impose a mandatory prison term of not less than 5 years but not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000, or both if:

1. It is a first conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 5 grams;
2. It is a second conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams;
3. It is a third or subsequent crack conviction and the amount exceeds 1 gram.

Civil penalties of up to $10,000 may also be imposed for possession of small amounts of controlled substances, whether or not criminal prosecution is pursued.

Commonly Cited Pennsylvania and City of Titusville Alcohol and Drug Penalties

PA State Violations                           Imprisonment (1^st Offense)  Fine/Sanction

Underage drinking or                          0 to 90 days                             Suspension of driver’s

Possession of alcohol                                                                          license and/or up to $500

Fake IDs used to obtain alcohol          0 to 90 days                             Suspension of driver’s

            license and/or up to $500

Marijuana possession                          0 days                                      $500

30 grams or less

Marijuana possession                          up to 1 year                             $5000

Over 30 grams

Manufacturing or selling marijuana    1 to 10 years                            $5,000 or more

and other controlled substances                                                                     

Public Drunkenness and similar          0 to 90days                             $500/1^st offense

Misconduct                                                                                         $1000/2^nd offense

Selling or Furnishing liquor or Malt    Misdemeanor 3                      Minimum $1000/1^st offense

Or Brewed Beverages to Minors                                                        Minimum $2500/2^nd offense

Minor (less than 21) Operating a         0 to 90 days                             $100

Motor Vehicle with any Alcohol in

their System

Driving Under Influence of Alcohol  0 to 180 days                           $300

or Controlled Substance

City of Titusville Ordinance            Summary Citation                City Ordinance/Fine

Violations                                          

Possession of a Small Amount          Fine                                         Up to $300

Marijuana/Smoking                                         

Public Urination and                           Fine                                        Up to $100 plus costs

Defecation

Alcohol Consumption in Public         Fine                                         Up to $300