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AODA Information

An aerial view of the Carthage College campus

Health Risks Associated with Abuse

Use of Drugs or controlled substances, except under professional supervision and prescription, and abuse of alcohol is dangerous. Drugs and alcohol abuse jeopardizes the well-being of the individual and the community. Decreased productivity and learning, serious health problems, breakdown of social relationships, and strain on personal and societal resources follow abuse.

Serious health risks are associated with the use of alcohol, including:

  • Loss of muscle control, poor coordination, and slurred speech
  • Fatigue, nausea, and headache
  • Increased likelihood of accidents
  • Impaired judgment
  • Possible respiratory paralysis and death

Habitual heavy drinking can lead to:

  • Alcoholism
  • Damage to brain cells
  • Increased risk of cirrhosis, ulcers, heart disease, heart attack, and cancers of the liver, mouth, throat, and stomach
  • Hallucinations
  • Personality disorders

Serious health risks are associated with the use of illegal drugs, including:

  • Increased susceptibility to disease due to a less efficient immune system
  • Increased likelihood of accidents
  • Addiction
  • Death by overdose
  • Anemia
  • Poor concentration

Applicable Legal Sanctions

Under the statutes of the State of Wisconsin, any person under the age of 21 who does any of the following is guilty of a violation:

  • Procures or attempts to procure alcoholic beverages from a licensee or permittee
  • Unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age, possesses, or consumes alcoholic beverages on a licensed premises
  • Enters, knowingly attempts to enter, or in licensed premises unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age
  • Falsely represents his or her age for the purpose of receiving alcoholic beverages from a licensee or permittee

Persons committing the above violations are subject to the following penalties:

  • First violation — A fine of not less than $250 nor more than $500, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
  • Violation within 12 months of the previous violation — A fine of not less than $300 nor more than $500, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
  • Violation within 12 months of two previous violations — A fine of not less than $500 nor more than $750, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
  • Violation within 12 months of three or more previous violations — A fine of not less than $750 nor more than $1000, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties

Additionally, an underage person not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age, who knowingly possesses or consumes alcoholic beverages is guilty of a violation and subject to the following penalties:

  • First violation — A fine of not less than $100 nor more than $200, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
  • Violation within 12 months of previous violation — A fine of not less than $200 nor more than $300, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
  • Violation within 12 months of two previous violations — A fine of not less than $300 nor more than $500, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
  • Violation within 12 months of three or more previous violations — A fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1000, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties

An adult who knowingly permits or fails to take action to prevent the illegal consumption of alcoholic beverages by an underage person on premises owned by the adult or under the adult’s control is guilty of a violation. The potential penalty increases with each subsequent offense, and may be up to a $10,000 fine and 9 months of imprisonment.

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or deliver a controlled substance or controlled substance analog is a violation subject to a fine up to $1,000,000 and imprisonment up to 45 years, dependent upon the amount and type of substance involved in the offense. The applicable penalties increase under several specific circumstances, including offenses occurring subsequent to prior offenses, offenses on or near certain places, and offenses involving persons 17 years of age or younger. Such offenses also subject a person to forfeitures of property associated with the offenses.

The unlawful possession or attempted possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog is a violation subject to a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment up to 3 years, depending on the type of substance involved and whether there have been previous offenses. The applicable penalty will increase if the offense is committed on or near certain places.

Federal law also penalizes the manufacture, distribution, possession with intent to manufacture or distribute, and simple possession of controlled substances. The law sets out the following sentences for first-time offenders:

  • A minimum of ten years and a maximum of life imprisonment or fine of $4,000,000 or both for the knowing or intentional manufacture, sale or possession with intent to sell, of large amounts of any narcotic, including heroin, morphine, or cocaine (including “crack”), or of phencyclidine (PCP), or of LSD, or of Marijuana (1,000 kilograms or more).
  • A minimum of five years or $250,000 or both for similar actions involving smaller amounts of Marijuana (50 kilograms or more), hashish, PCP or LSD, or any amounts of amphetamines, barbiturates and other controlled stimulants or depressives.
  • Four years or $30,000 or both for using the mail, telephone, radio or any other public or private means of communication to commit acts that violate the laws against the manufacture, sale, and possession of drugs.
  • One year or $1,000 or both for possession of any controlled substance.

State and federal law make crimes of many different activities involving drugs. Simple possession, giving or merely offering drugs is an illegal act.

Resources for Alcohol and Drug Problems

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The Health and Counseling Center offers programs for students on alcohol-related topics. These programs may be presented in classes, on residence hall floors, or for organizations. The content of these programs can be tailored for a particular group or audience. An example of a program is “Academics and Alcohol”, which examines school-related consequences of alcohol use such as missed study time, missed classes, and poor grades.

The Office of Student Life sponsors an alcohol education workshop for students. This workshop covers topics such as patterns of alcohol use, beliefs about alcohol use, and consequences of alcohol use. The Office of Student Life also has contracted with “AlcoholEdu” to provide an online alcohol education course.

ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

The Health and Counseling Center provides informal assessments of alcohol concerns, and counseling is available for all students. Students seek counseling for a range of concerns including relationship problems, depression, and adjusting to changes in college. Students also discuss alcohol concerns in counseling, and it may play a role in any of the problems listed above.

Carthage College refers students to clinics in the Kenosha area for formal alcohol assessment and treatment. The Office of Student Life or the Health and Counseling Center can provide students with such information whenever needed or requested by students. Any member of the Carthage community concerned about their own substance abuse problem, or the substance abuse problem of someone close to them, may contact the Office of Student Life, an Office of Student Life staff member, or the Health and Counseling Center to be put in contact with an appropriate assessment and treatment resource.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AND AL-ANON

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and Al-Anon (friends/family of alcoholics) hold weekly meetings near the Carthage Campus. Location meetings and times can be obtained online. For questions and/or the location of the meetings, students may call an off-campus number, 262-554-6611. Recovering members, not affiliated with the college, will respond to your inquiries and maintain your anonymity.

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

The Health and Counseling Center offers free brochures to students on topics related to alcohol and drugs, as well as a range of other physical and mental health topics. Any student may gain access to the online alcohol education course by making a request with the Office of Student Life.