Drug and Alcohol Policy and Assistance

Alcohol and Other Drug Education Service

The major purpose of the Kansas State University Alcohol and Other Drug Education Service office is to provide information on the physical effects and social issues related to alcohol and other drug use. The program is focused on the Manhattan and K‑State communities. Staff are available to inform, consult, and assist all K‑State students, faculty, and staff and the general population of Manhattan.

Available programming options include educational presentations; responsible party hosting information; referral services; and sponsorship of National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, Safe Spring Break Week, and the K‑State G.A.M.M.A. chapter. The office is a member of the Kansas Regents System-wide Committee on Substance Abuse and the Network of Colleges and Universities Committed to the Elimination of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

Substance Abuse Prevention Policy of Kansas State University

The following Substance Abuse prevention Policy is effective August 27, 1990, and is adopted pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 and the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. A copy of the Drug Prevention Policy will be distributed to each student and employee of Kansas State University.

1. Kansas State University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of alcohol or controlled substances by students and employees on property controlled by the University, or as part of University activities. The University is committed to a program to prevent the illegal use of controlled substances and alcohol by students and employees.

2. Any student or employee of the University found to be using, possessing, manufacturing, or distributing controlled substances or alcohol in violation of the law on University property or at University events will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with applicable policies of the State of Kansas, the Board of Regents, and Kansas State University. Disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, expulsion, termination of employment, referral for prosecution and the completion of an appropriate substance abuse rehabilitation program.

3. As a condition of employment, all employees of Kansas State University, including student employees, shall abide by the terms of this policy statement and will notify the Provost of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring on property controlled by the University, no later than five days after such conviction. Kansas State University will, in turn, notify, as appropriate, the applicable federal agency of the conviction within ten (10) days of its receipt of notification of the conviction. The University will take appropriate disciplinary action within thirty (30) days of notification of the conviction. For purposes of this policy, "conviction" means a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body charged with the responsibility to determine violations of the Federal or State criminal drug statutes.

4. The term "controlled substances" as used in this policy means those substances included in Schedules I through V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act and as further defined by regulation at 21 CFR 1300.11 through 1300.15. The term does not include the use of a controlled substance pursuant to a valid prescription or other uses authorized by law.

5. Local, state and federal laws provide for a variety of legal sanctions and penalties for the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. The Federal Controlled Substances Act provides penalties of up to 15 years' imprisonment and fines up to $25,000 for unlawful distribution or possession with intent to distribute narcotics. For unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a person is subject to up to one year of imprisonment and fines up to $5,000. Any person who unlawfully distributes a controlled substance to a person under twenty-one years of age may be punished by up to twice the term of imprisonment and fine otherwise authorized by law.

Kansas law provides that any person who violates the criminal statutes on controlled substances by possessing, offering for sale, distributing, or manufacturing opiates and narcotics, such as cocaine and heroin, shall be guilty of a Class C felony. For a conviction of a Class C felony, the court may sentence a person to a term of imprisonment of a minimum of three to five years, a maximum of 10 to 20 years, and a fine of up to $15,000. Unlawful possession of a depressant, stimulant or hallucinogenic drug is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to a year in jail and a fine of $2,500. Under Kansas law, persons under 21 years of age may be subject to minimum fines of $100 for possessing, consuming, obtaining, purchasing or attempting to obtain or purchase alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverages. Persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are subject to severe fines, imprisonment, and other penalties.

The local ordinances of Manhattan, Kansas, also include prohibitions relating to illicit drugs and alcohol. Generally, these local ordinances are similar in content to state law.

6. Students and employees of Kansas State University should be aware that the following health risks have been associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol:

Alcohol: Birth defects, ulcers and gastritis, liver damage, heart disease, cancer, and brain damage.

Anabolic Steroids: Acne, cancer, heart disease, liver disease, sterility, jaundice, and kidney stones.

Cocaine/Stimulants: Increased blood pressure, blurred vision, sleeplessness, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, and death.

Hallucinogens: Increased body temperature, increased heart rate, blood pressure, sleeplessness and tremors.

Marijuana: Irritation of the lungs, emphysema, increased heart rate, short-term memory reduced, and cancer.

Opiates/Narcotics: Decreased heart rate, nausea, cold, moist skin, bluish in color, and slowed breathing.

Sedatives: Slowed body function, drowsiness, convulsions, and coma.

Students and employees should note that the above listing is not intended as all inclusive.

7. Drug and alcohol counseling, treatment or re-entry programs are available to students and employees on a national, statewide, local and campus basis. Alcohol and drug counseling are available to students at KSU Counseling Services in the Lafene Student Health Center (532-6927). The Alcohol and Other Drug Education Service (532-6927) can provide further information about health problems and treatment related to alcohol and drug use. Employees may seek referral for alcohol and drug problems through the Employee Assistance Program at KSU Employee Relations (532-6277) or through the State of Kansas Lifeline Program, a 24-hour toll-free assistance line (1-800-284-7575). Other sources of assistance include Kansas Recovery (1-800-586-3690), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse hotline (1-800-662-4357).

Kansas State University also presents educational programs on an ongoing basis to inform employees and students of the dangers of substance abuse, and is committed to preventing the illegal use of controlled substances and alcohol by students and employees.

In 1985 K‑State implemented an alcohol and cereal malt beverage policy pertaining to the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages at athletic facilities and events, by student organizations, and at specific non‑classroom space on property under the control of the Kansas Board of Regents. Many individual components of K‑State also have their own unique policies and procedures. For example, K‑State Athletics has its own screening program for substance abuse for student athletes. Greek Affairs enforces its policy for dry rush and its 1991 joint Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Council alcohol policy, adopted in September 1991. The Department of Housing and Dining Services also has special regulations for the nearly 4,000 students who live in the residence halls.