Alcohol and Drug Policy

The Community College of Rhode Island seeks to encourage and sustain an academic environment that both respects individual freedom and promotes the health, safety and welfare of all members of its community. In keeping with these objectives, the college has established a policy governing the possession, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the campus and conforming to the laws of Rhode Island.

Possession or consumption of alcohol is strictly controlled by the college. Rhode Island law states that no alcoholic beverages can be sold, delivered or in any way be given to a person under 21 years of age. Anyone under the age of 21 who knowingly makes false statements as to his or her age in order to purchase or in any way procure alcoholic beverages shall be subject to appropriate prosecution existing under state law.

Consistent with its educational mission, the college sponsors programs that promote awareness of the physical, psychological, social and behavioral effects of alcohol consumption. Assistance is available in finding community resources for those who are experiencing alcohol-related difficulties.

The use of narcotics or dangerous drugs on the college campus violates campus policy and Rhode Island state law. The law prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, sale, possession or use of any illegal drug. Educational programs and seminars that provide significant information and literature regarding the implications and consequences of drug use are available.

While use of medical marijuana with a legally obtained card from the Department of Health is legal in the state of Rhode Island, use of medical marijuana is prohibited in all buildings and on all premises by federal law.

Any student who violates institutional policy or law as it relates to the use of alcohol and drugs may be subject to disciplinary action taken by the college including suspension or expulsion.

CCRI does consider all factors when a community member is involved in a crime of violence and also in violation of the alcohol/drug policies. CCRI recognizes that students who have been drinking and/or using drugs (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) at the time of an incident of violence (such as domestic violence, dating violence, stalking or sexual assault) may be hesitant to report such incidents or participate in the process because of fear of potential consequences. CCRI strongly encourages students and employees to report such incidents to officials. A bystander acting in good faith or a reporting individual acting in good faith, or any party to the investigation and process, who discloses any incident of violence to CCRI officials or law enforcement will not be subject to disciplinary action for violations of the drug and alcohol policies. In certain circumstances CCRI may grant additional amnesty for violations.

Alcohol on Campus

Given the risks associated with the use of alcohol on campus and because of a variety of liability concerns associated with the use of alcohol, it has been determined that it is not prudent to permit the dispensing of alcohol on the college’s premises. Consequently, no employee of the college or anyone acting on the college’s behalf shall sell or give alcohol to anyone while utilizing the college’s facilities or while on the college’s premises.

Under exceptional circumstances, an exception to this policy may be made via a request of the Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs in writing and in advance.

Legal Sanctions for Alcohol and Other Drugs

Rhode Island penalties for driving while impaired are as follows:

1. Section 3-8-6 of the Rhode Island General Laws states that it is unlawful for a minor (under the age of 21) to purchase or attempt to purchase or to make a false statement or misrepresent his or her age through the presentation of a false document in connection with the attempted purchase of alcohol. The sanction is a minimum fine of $100 to $500 and the possibility of up to 30 hours of community service and suspension of his or her driver’s license for up to three months for a first offense.
2. Section 3-8-10 of the Rhode Island General Laws states that possession of alcohol by a minor is illegal. The fine ranges from $150 to $750 for a first offense. In addition, violators may be required to perform community service and shall be subject to a minimum 60-day suspension of their driver’s license, and upon a second offense or subsequent offense may be ordered to undergo substance abuse assessment.
3. In Rhode Island, driving while having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent and above is a crime. Some of the Rhode Island penalties for driving while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating drugs include fines starting at $100, community service, license suspension and/or imprisonment.
4. In Rhode Island, persons at least 18 years old but less than 21 years of age driving with a blood alcohol concentration greater than .02 but less than .10 are considered to be driving while impaired. The sanctions for driving while impaired include a fine of up to $250, up to 30 hours of community restitution, suspension of driver’s license for a minimum of one month up to three months and attendance at an alcohol or drug treatment program.
5. Persons arrested for the sale of illegal drugs may be subject to being held in jail without bail until a hearing and are subject to forfeiting any money or vehicles associated with the sale of those illegal drugs.

Legal Sanctions for Illegal Drugs

Rhode Island statutes cover a wide range of drug offenses, including the use, possession, sale, distribution, transportation and manufacture of various types of drugs (Title 21, Chapter 28 of the Rhode Island General Laws). Among other provisions, the state law creates the following mandatory minimum prison sentences for first-time offenders who are not “drug dependent” persons. Actual sentences depend on the severity and the circumstances of the offense, and the character and background of the offender.

1. Imprisonment of not less than 10 years for possession of enumerated quantities of controlled substances: heroin, coca leaves, cocaine, ecgonine, phencyclidine (PCP) and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), plus a fine.
2. Possession of larger enumerated quantities results in a minimum prison sentence of not less than 20 years plus fine.
3. Distribution of a controlled substance to persons under age 18 is penalized by imprisonment for not less than 15 years.
4. Education and counseling may be required.

Health Risks Associated with Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs

Many people are unaware of the potential physical and psychological consequences of their drug use. Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. The vast majority of Americans who drink alcohol, for example, do so without any serious problems. However, it is important to remember that alcohol is a powerful drug – and like marijuana, cocaine or heroin, it can pose certain risks to your health and well-being. Alcohol abuse is responsible for an average 200,000 deaths annually in the United States. Half of all accidental deaths, suicides and homicides in the United States are estimated to be alcohol related. In addition, alcohol use is implicated in many cases of sexual assault.

1. Personal risk factors.* Frequently, people who drink abusively do not consider themselves to be problem drinkers. Certain factors pose an increased risk for developing a serious alcohol problem. These are:
1. Having one or more blood relatives with a history of alcohol or other drug problems.
2. Growing up in a family in which alcohol was associated with family dysfunction.
3. Drinking to get drunk.
4. Being able to “hold your liquor” – seeming to be less affected by alcohol than most people.
5. Excessive drinking at a young age and/or having a history of other drug abuse.
6. Having one or more memory “blackouts” caused by drinking.
7. Drinking to relieve bad feelings or to escape from problems.
8. Having friends who are heavy drinkers.
9. Having a history of impulsivity and/or behavioral problems, such as conduct disorder.
10. Using other drugs that, when combined with alcohol, increases the effects and dangers of drinking.

* Sources: Miller, William R., Alcohol and You. Prepared for Project MATCH by the Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA). The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Also Marlatt, G.A., Baer, J.S.& Larimer, M.E. (1995). Preventing alcohol abuse in college students: A harm reduction approach. In G.M. Boyd, J. Howard, & R.A. Zucker (Eds.), Alcohol problems among adolescents: Current directions in prevention research (pp.147-172). Northvale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum & Associates Inc.

• Birth defects. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is among the three leading causes of birth defects. FAS refers to a pattern of physical and mental defects that may occur in infants whose mothers drink during pregnancy.
• Acute alcohol poisoning. Certain high-risk practices (e.g., drinking games, drinking grain alcohol punch) involve the quick ingestion of large amounts of alcohol that can shut down breathing and heart functioning. This can be fatal. Chronic alcohol abuse also has been linked to liver disease, gastrointestinal disorders, birth defects, depression, impotence and malnutrition. Alcohol and other drug use can impair judgment, reasoning, communication and perception. In addition, it may lead to risky sexual encounters such as unprotected sex and sexual assault. Alcohol may be a contributing factor in cases of acquaintance rape. Alcohol does not cause a person to commit sexual assault. Furthermore, drunkenness does not absolve a guilty party from the act of rape. Drunk or sober, sexual assault is a crime.
• Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning. If someone you know has any of the following symptoms after drinking alcohol, it is possible that he or she is suffering from acute alcohol poisoning. Do not leave the person alone. Do not let him or her “sleep it off.” Turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking should vomiting occur. Call 911 for immediate medical attention if you see any of the following:

• The person is unconscious or semi-conscious and cannot be roused.
• The person has cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin.
• The person’s breathing is slow or irregular.
• The person vomits while passed out and is not waking up after vomiting.