Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Prevention Program

Standards of Conduct

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of illicit drugs and alcohol by Kenyon College students or employees is prohibited in and on Kenyon College-owned or controlled property or as any part of any Kenyon College off-campus activity.

With regard to the consumption of alcohol by students, it is the College's intention that its policies comply with state and local laws governing the use, distribution, and consumption of alcohol. For example, state law prohibits:

• persons under twenty-one (21) from buying, being furnished, and consuming alcoholic beverages or possessing them in a public place with limited exceptions;
• the misrepresentation of age or falsification of identification cards or use of another person's identification; and
• the opening or consumption of alcoholic beverages in a moving vehicle.

The College recognizes that some of its students are twenty-one (21) or older and therefore are permitted to consume alcohol under state law. In order to regulate the availability, furnishing, and consumption of alcohol by these students who are twenty-one (21) or older, the College has promulgated specific rules and regulations regarding the limitations and restrictions about drinking on College-owned or controlled property or as a part of any College off-campus activity. These regulations are set forth specifically in section A of the Student Regulations.

The use of alcohol by an employee while on College-owned or controlled grounds or as part of a Kenyon College activity, including meal periods and breaks, is prohibited except when authorized by the College for approved College functions. No employee shall report to work while under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol.

Applicable Legal Sanctions

For both students and employees, federal, state, and local laws provide a variety of penalties for the unlawful possession or distribution (i.e., trafficking) of illicit drugs or alcohol. Penalties under federal and Ohio law for various alcohol and illicit drug-related offenses are described below.

Health Risks

Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgement 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. 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 a greater risk than others of becoming alcoholics.

Counseling/Treatment Program Availability

Drug and alcohol counseling is available to students through the Health and Counseling Center. The counseling service is staffed by a substance-abuse educator and counselor. Individual therapy is available for alcohol and/or other substance abuse. A number of support groups are on campus, including KAAG (Kenyon Alcohol Awareness Group), KADE (Kenyon Alcohol and Drug Education), and KCOA (Kenyon Children of Alcoholics/Addicts). Alcohol and other drug counseling is also available to students through the Alcohol and Drug Freedom Center at 106 East Gambier Street in Mount Vernon, 397-2660. The Freedom Center offers assessment, counseling, referral, and recovery education and support. The professionals on staff answer a twenty-four-hour "hot line" to care for the community.

Various treatments programs are available outside Knox County, including Shepherd Hill in Newark, Ohio, and the Columbus, Ohio, programs at Talbot Hall, Parkside Lodge, and OSU/Harding Hospital. Through the years, Kenyon has established lines of communications with these facilities to facilitate the referral of a student or staff person for evaluation and/or care.

Various Al-Anon and Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) groups are available in Knox County and the surrounding area. A list of programs is available through the Freedom Center and the local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter at 393-2439.

Sanctions for Violations of Standards of Conduct

Any Kenyon College student determined to have violated the standards of conduct applicable to students will be subject to disciplinary actions. Penalties may include suspension or dismissal. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the infraction, the authorities may be contacted for criminal prosecution. Students also may be required to participate in and/or successfully complete a drug or alcohol evaluation, assistance, or rehabilitation program, either in conjunction with such discipline or otherwise.

Any Kenyon College employee determined to have violated the standards of conduct of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. An employee who is determined to have violated these rules further may be required to participate in and/or successfully complete, a drug or alcohol evaluation, assistance, or rehabilitation program, either in conjunction with such discipline or otherwise. Depending on the nature of the violation, the authorities may be contacted for criminal prosecution.

Program Review

In accordance with federal law, Kenyon College will conduct a biennial review of its drug and alcohol abuse prevention program to determine the program's effectiveness.

By providing the above information each year to each student and employee, the College is making a good faith effort to implement an alcohol-drug program as required by the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act amendments of 1989.

Section, Ohio Revised Code

Sale of marijuana: First offense

Sale of marijuana: Second offense or near school

Sale of cocaine or crack: First offense

Sale of cocaine or crack: Second offense or near school

Possession or use of marijuana

Possession or use of crack or cocaine

Federal Penalties and Sanctions for Illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance

21 U.S.C. 844 (a)
First conviction: Up to one (1) year imprisonment and fine of at least $1,000 but not more than $100,000, or both.

After one (1) prior drug conviction: At least fifteen (15) days in prison, not to exceed two (2) years, and fine of at least $2,500 but not more than $250,000, or both.

After two (2) or more prior drug convictions: At least ninety (90) days in prison, not to exceed three (3) years, and fine of at least $5,000 but not more than $250,000, or both.

Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: Mandatory sentence of at least five (5) years in prison, not to exceed twenty (20) years, and fine of up to $250,000, or both, if:
a. first conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds five (5) grams.
b. second crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds three (3) grams.
c. third or subsequent crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds one (1) gram.

21 U.S.C. 853 (a) (2) and 881 (a) (7)
Forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance if that offense is punishable by more than one (1) year imprisonment. (See special sentencing provision re: crack.)

21 U.S.C. 881 (a) (4)
Forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft, or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance.

21 U.S.C. 844a
Civil fine of up to $10,000 (pending adoption of final regulations).

21 U.S.C. 853a
Denial of federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses, up to one (1) year for first offense, up to five (5) years for second and subsequent offenses.

18 U.S.C. 922 (g)
Ineligible to receive or purchase a firearm.

Miscellaneous

Powers of revocation of certain licenses and benefits (e.g. pilot licenses, public-housing tenancy) are vested within the authorities of individual federal agencies.