Drug-Free Policy
You can view/print the PDF* version of the Drug-Free Policy Statement.
Effective July 1994
The University of Kentucky is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for its students, faculty and staff. The University has defined conduct in relation to the unlawful possession, use, dispensation, distribution or manufacture of alcohol or illicit drugs. Conduct which is violative of this definition poses unacceptable risks and disregard for the health, safety, and welfare of members of the University community and shall result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or termination.
As a recipient of federal grants and contracts, the University of Kentucky gives this notice to students, faculty and staff that it is in compliance with and shall continue to be in compliance with the Drug- Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989. Students, faculty and staff are herein notified of the standards of conduct which shall be applicable while on University of Kentucky property, on University business, and/or at University sponsored activities.
Standards of Conduct
By University regulations, by federal law, by state law, and, in some instances, by local ordinance, students, faculty and staff are prohibited from the unlawful possession, use, dispensation, distribution, or manufacture of illicit drugs on University property, on University business and/or at University sponsored activities.
Under University regulations, students, faculty and staff are required to abide by state laws concerning alcoholic beverages. Basically, Kentucky laws state that, if one is under the age of 21, it is unlawful to:
- Possess or consume alcoholic beverages,
- Misrepresent one's age for the purpose of purchasing alcoholic beverages, or
- Use a fake ID in an attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages.
No matter what one's age, Kentucky law states that it is unlawful to:
- Procure any alcoholic beverages for anyone under 21 years of age or
- Drink or be drunk in a public place.
University campuses and buildings are considered as public places for purposes of these laws, except for a facility licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, and except for a facility used as a private residence, unless University regulations state otherwise.
Ordinances of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government basically parallel the state laws.
Any member of the University student body, faculty, or staff who violates these defined standards of conduct shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including suspension and/or termination. The specifically defined standards of conduct, the disciplinary procedures, and the appropriate sanctions are detailed in the codes of student conduct and in the Administrative Regulations (AR II-1.1-4, AR II-1.1-10, AR II-1.1-11 and Personnel AR Numbers 13.0 and 14.0).
In addition, it is a violation of state law to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of any substance which may impair one's driving ability (drugs or alcoholic beverages).
Sanctions
Under University regulation, students who violate this standard of conduct are subject to disciplinary action from a minimum of a warning to a maximum of suspension from the University. Students who reside in University housing are subject to further disciplinary action which may vary from a warning to termination of their housing contract.
Faculty and staff are subject to disciplinary action from a minimum of a warning to a maximum of termination from University employment.
Under state and federal drug laws, the gravity of the sanction depends on the classification of the controlled substance, the particular activity involved (possession or trafficking which includes manufacture, sale and possession with intent to sell), and whether or not multiple convictions are involved.
Under Kentucky law, the most severe penalty for a drug law violation involves trafficking. On a first offense conviction, one may receive a fine of up to $10,000.00 and/or a sentence of up to ten years in the penitentiary; for subsequent offenses, the penalties may be doubled.
Under federal law, for simple possession of a controlled substance, one may be imprisoned for up to one year and/or fined up to $1,000.00. For subsequent offenses, one may be imprisoned for up to three years and/or fined up to $5,000.00. Under federal law, one may be fined up to $8,000,000.00 and/or may be sentenced from not less than 10 years up to life in prison for trafficking in drugs. For violations of other federal drug laws, one may receive life in prison or the death penalty.
Under both state and federal laws, one may suffer the loss of whatever property (house, farm) or possessions (vehicle) which one may have used in the drug trade.
Specific penalties under federal laws for trafficking in various controlled substances are outlined in Appendix A (PDF format*) to this policy.
Sanctions for violation of state alcohol laws vary from a fine of $10.00 to $2,000.00, a sentence of forty-eight hours to 12 months in jail, and/or suspension of one's operator's license.
Notice of Drug-Related Conviction
In compliance with the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, any employee shall notify the immediate supervisor if the employee is convicted of a criminal drug offense occurring in the workplace or while on University business within five days of the conviction. The University shall take appropriate sanction and remedies in accordance within its policies. The provisions of this section are applicable to students who are employees of the University. If the employee is under a federal contract or grant, the University shall notify the contracting or granting agency of the conviction and of its actions. This section of this policy is also applicable to students who receive a Pell grant (federal grant).
Health Risks
The scope and impact of health risks from alcohol and drug abuse are both alarming and well-documented, ranging from mood-altering to life- threatening, with consequences that extend beyond the individual to family, organizations and society at large. The University of Kentucky, therefore, conducts regular programs to educate its students, faculty and staff that consumption and use of drugs may alter behavior, distort perception, impair thinking, impede judgment, and lead to physical or psychological dependence.
Alcohol and/or drug abuse may lead to the deterioration of physical health by causing or contributing to various health conditions including but not limited to fatigue, nausea, personal injury, insomnia, pathological organ damage, some forms of cancer, pancreatitis, heart attack, respiratory depression, birth defects, convulsions, coma, and even death. Alcohol and drug abuse may also result in deterioration of mental health by causing or contributing to various conditions such as increased aggression, hallucinations, depression, disorientation, and psychosis.
A detailed list of the effects and health risks associated with the use of many specific drugs appears as Appendix B (PDF format*) to this policy.
Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident.
Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse.
Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person's ability to learn and remember information.
Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects just described.
Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.
Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics.
Training and Counseling Resources
Continuous efforts are made to make students, faculty and staff aware of the on-campus and off-campus programs which provide information and professional services on matters related to the abuse of alcohol and drugs.
Lists of sources for information and counseling for students are published in the Kernel regularly. Students are encouraged to contact the dean of students affairs offices and/or the Office of Residence Life for information and appropriate referral.
Counseling is provided by such areas as the Testing and Counseling Center, the Department of Counseling and Psychology in the College of Education, the Medical Student Support Services program, and an in-residence counselor in the residence halls system.
For faculty and staff of all sectors, the offices of Human Resource Development in the Lexington Campus and Medical Center sectors provide information and counseling. The Employee Assistance Program, REFER, specifically provides information as to resources available to employees.
Other counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation services are available in the Lexington community as well as communities throughout the state in which Community College and College of Agriculture employees are located.
- Comprehensive Care Centers offer both counseling and treatment.
- The toll free number for Drug Information Services for Kentucky (DISK) is 859-253-4695.
- In the Lexington area, the number for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is 859-276-2917; the number for Narcotics Anonymous is 859-253-4673. (Check local telephone directory for listings.)
- The Chrysalis House (859-225-9912) offers long term, half-way house residential treatment for recovering chemically dependent women.
- University of Kentucky Family Center 859-257-7755.
- University of Kentucky Employee Assistance Program (REFER) 859-257-1467.
Many other services are available and may be located by looking in the local telephone directory yellow pages under "Social Services" or "Alcohol Abuse & Addiction -- Information & Treatment" or in the section at the front of the telephone directory.
Policy Review
This policy statement and any revisions thereto shall be distributed annually to students and employees. Distribution shall be the responsibility of the Provost for Student Affairs and the Director for Human Resources.
Annual Review Policy
The Associate Provost for Student Affairs and the Director for Human Resources shall review and interpret policies and procedures relevant to this policy statement. These two administrators shall jointly be responsible for maintaining records of the annual review of this policy statement.
* Note: Documents in the PDF file format require Adobe Acrobat Reader software. It can be downloaded for free at Adobe.com.
Send questions or comments to: mpatter@email.uky.edu.