Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Policy
Goals of the Policy
International University of Nursing, St.Kitts
(IUON) is committed to the prevention of the use of illicit drugs and the
abuse of alcohol and to the principle of the drug-free workplace and campus.
This commitment is especially important in a school devoted to the professional
education of future physicians who are expected to be role models for the wider
community in their attitudes and behavior towards drug and alcohol use, and are
yet at the same time a group at high risk of substance abuse problems.
All
students, faculty and staff of IUON are expected to familiarize themselves with
the University’s policy and to act in accordance with them.
Campus
Policy on Alcoholic Beverages
The Campus has a strict policy relating to the
consumption, sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages on the campus itself.
Anyone demonstrating visible signs of being under the influence of alcohol will
be refused entrance to the campus. Any student, faculty or employee reported to
be under the influence of alcohol while on campus will be escorted by Campus
Security to the Dean’s office or to the H.R. Department for evaluation and the
appropriate action will be taken. The University encourages all of its community
to avoid over indulgence in consuming alcoholic beverages, especially when out
in public as this may lead to potential accident or to possibly becoming the
victim of a crime. Except for driving while intoxicated, St. Kitts has no
criminal offenses for the abuse of alcohol. Whenever off-campus University or
Student sponsored functions include alcoholic beverages, the University usually
provides transportation to and from those events.
Campus
Policy on Illegal Drugs and Substance Abuse
The use, possession, distribution, sale,
manufacturing or cultivation of any illegal drug, narcotic or otherwise
controlled substance as defined by the laws of the Federation of St. Kitts /
Nevis is strictly prohibited. The University has a “Drug Free” policy and any student,
faculty or employee reported to be under the influence of any controlled
substance while on campus will be escorted by Campus Security to the Dean’s
office or to the H.R. Department for evaluation and the appropriate action will
be taken. Violators of this policy are subject to University disciplinary
action, criminal prosecution, fine and imprisonment.
Student Sanctions
Students
who violate the IUON Alcohol and Drug Policy will be subject to disciplinary
sanctions. Several factors will be considered whendeveloping and applying
sanctions for alcohol or drug violations. These include the seriousness of the
violation, the intent of the offender, the effect of the conduct on the college
community, and whether the student has violated IUON standards in the past.
Possible sanctions include one or more of the following: written reprimand,
mandatory drug and alcohol education, appropriate community service, referral
and compliance with substance abuse treatment, restitution to victims, or any
other action the college deems appropriate.
The most severe sanctions, suspension from the college, or expulsion, will be
imposed for the most serious violations—offenses that are violent, dangerous,
or repeated. If any student or non-student is found selling or distributing
illegal drugs or narcotics, he or she will be reported immediately to the legal
authorities and will be placed on indefinite suspension or dismissed from IUON.
In the event of suspension, or expulsion, tuition and all other fees are
non-refundable.
SUBSTANCE ALCOHOL (AT .08 BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION & ABOVE)
Impaired motor abilities; reduced judgment; sleepiness; increased sexual desire but reduced ability to
perform; nausea, vomiting; liver disorders-alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis; cancer of the-tongue,
mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast; fetal alcohol syndrome (most common symptom is mental
retardation).
CANNABIS MARIJUANA HASH/HASH OIL THC
Diminished-short term memory, motivation & cognition, coordination & concentration, oral communication,
reaction time; anxiety & panic reactions; carcinogenic elements in smoke; damaged lungs & respiratory
system.
COCAINE (INCLUDES CRACK COCAINE)
Increased likelihood of risk taking; seizures; sleeplessness; paranoia; irregular heartbeat; can cause
sudden death by stroke or heart failure, even in young users; cocaine psychosis (paranoia &
hallucinations); ulceration of mucous membranes in the nose; sexual dysfunction; during pregnancy can
cause severe physical & emotional problems in babies.
DEPRESSANTS, TRANQUILIZERS, BARBITURATES, METHAQUALONE
Dangerous effects when mixed with alcohol; calmness & relaxed muscles; slurred speech, staggering
gait, loss of motor coordination; altered perceptions; respiratory depression which can result in coma or
death; disruption of normal sleep cycle; during pregnancy-birth defects,
brain tumors in children; tolerance develops severe withdrawal
symptoms; physical & psychological dependence.
OTHER STIMULANTS (EXCLUDING COCAINE), AMPHETAMINES, METHAMPHETAMINES
Increased heart & respiratory rates; elevated blood; decreased appetite; headaches; blurred vision;
dizziness; sleeplessness; anxiety; amphetamine psychosis-violent behavior, hallucinations, delusions,
paranoia; drug tolerance & dependency; mood swings; ulcers; mental confusion.
PSYCHEDELICS, LSD, MESCALINE, PSILOCYBIN, PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP), MDMA (ECSTASY), MDA
Distorted sense of distance, space and time; blockage of pain sensations; nausea, vomiting & diarrhea;
severe mood disorders, panic depression, anxiety; greater suggestibility & feelings of invulnerability;
unpredictable reactions if drugs are "cut" with impurities; tolerance after (3-4 daily doses--higher doses
are required to produce same effects).
NARCOTICS, OPIUM, MORPHINE, CODEINE, THEBAINE, HEROIN, METHADONE, DARVON, DEMEROL
Feeling of euphoria followed by drowsiness; nausea & vomiting; respiratory depression; central nervous
system depression; use of unsterile needles promotes-AIDS, hepatitis B, endocarditis (infection in the
heart); women dependent on opiates have multiple pregnancy complications-spontaneous abortions, still
births, anemia, diabetes.
Health Risks and Effects Associated with the
Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol
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 domestic violence and date rape. 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 systems, 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 of becoming alcoholics.
Counseling, Treatment and
Rehabilitation
Resources for Assistance
The Campus offers
counseling and education for Drug and Substance Abuse thought the Student
Counseling Office. Students indentified through the School Nurse Services
are referred to the Counseling Department. All new students
are required to attend a presentation during orientation regarding the use of
illegal drugs and substance abuse and that a violation of any law regarding
alcohol or illegal drugs is also a violation of the University’s Student Code
of Conduct as explained in the Student Handbook.
All
students are encouraged to seek early help if they feel they have a problem
with alcohol and/or other drugs, and to learn how to assist others with
substance abuse problems. With early assistance it is less likely that serious
consequences will result from an alcohol or other drug problem.
College
resources such as the Counseling Office and School
Nurse Services are
confidential and free of charge.
Community/Self-Help Resources
Depression,
suicide, and information and referrals for emotional and substance abuse programs
(24 hours per day, 7 days per week)
800 LIFENET (800 543.3638)
Self-Help Groups
Alcoholics
Anonymous
www.aa.org
Narcotics Anonymous Regional Helpline
www.na.org
Al-anon
www.al-alon.alateen.org
For friends, relatives, and domestic partners who are coping with a loved one’s
alcohol or drug use.
|