Substance Abuse Information Guide

Lakeview College of Nursing is committed to fostering an educational community which emphasizes maintenance of sound personal health, respect for laws and rules prohibiting drug use, and recognition of the importance of chemical abuse prevention. The College’s chemical and alcohol abuse prevention program consists of a comprehensive Drug Policy, as found in the Student Handbook, and also of dissemination of information regarding the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, and referral of faculty, staff and/or students for evaluation by a professional counselor as needed. Each student is responsible for reading the material herein, and for understanding and complying with the Lakeview College of Nursing Drug Policy.

If you have any questions regarding the Lakeview College of Nursing Drug Policy or this Substance Abuse Information Guide, if you are concerned about your own substance abuse issues, or if you have any concerns about another student’s substance abuse, you are encouraged to contact the Dean of Nursing or any other faculty member right away for confidential help and guidance.

President Bush's National Drug Control Strategy, issued in September 1989, proposed that the Congress pass legislation requiring schools, colleges, and universities to implement and enforce firm drug prevention programs and policies as a condition of eligibility for federal financial assistance. On December 12, 1989, the President signed the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Amendments), Public Law 101 -226. Section 22 of the Amendments amends provisions of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 and Higher Education Act of 1965 to require that, as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any Federal program after October 1, 1990, a university or college must submit a certification that it has adopted and implemented a drug prevention program. Federal legislation requires that all Pell Grant recipients remain drug-free (on and off-campus) throughout the award period or lose funds. In compliance with Federal Law, Lakeview College of Nursing has adopted and implemented a comprehensive drug prevention program, including its Drug Policy and this Substance Abuse Information Guide, as well as the ongoing development and implementation of formal and informal opportunities for students to develop healthy and drug-free lifestyles. This Substance Abuse Information Guide provides information and resources to educate students about and discourage the abuse of alcohol and controlled substances. Additionally, as part of the comprehensive drug prevention program, the Dean of Nursing shall be available to answer any additional questions regarding alcohol and drug abuse and the College’s policies in connection therewith.

1. Alcohol is a powerful substance because it affects almost every area of the body and its functions. Alcohol is the most frequently used and abused drug among college students.
2. Alcohol contains ethanol, which acts as a central nervous system depressant and can also cause changes in the body's chemistry and impair many body functions.  Ethanol is a toxic or poisonous substance; that the body must struggle to eliminate.  As the body breaks down the alcohol to be eliminated, the imbalance of other body chemicals can result in changes in mood and behavior, and cause numerous physical symptoms such as hangovers.
3. Impaired Driving.  Drinking and driving is the leading cause of death among college-age people.  Even a small amount of alcohol before driving can impair your decision-making ability, motor coordination, and reflexes rendering you unsafe to drive.  You don't have to be obviously drunk to be unsafe to drive after drinking.  A Blood Alcohol Concentration (“BAC”) of 0.08 is considered legally drunk in Illinois, but dangerous impairment can occur even at lower BAC levels.  Persons who are intoxicated rarely think they are impaired to drive, so make the decision not to drive before you start drinking.  If you choose to consume alcohol, make arrangements ahead of time for a safe ride home – use a designated driver, taxi, friends, or parents.
4. Impaired Decision Making.  Intoxication occurs when a person is mentally affected by alcohol and can occur even at very low BAC levels.  Intoxication distorts judgment, decreases your ability to recognize danger, and reduces your ability to make good choices.  Intoxication lowers your ability to make safe decisions about sex.  Alcohol may influence you to have sexual intercourse with a person with whom otherwise you would never even have lunch.  One's sexual choices are very important, and these decisions need to be made with an alcohol-free mind.  Sober students are more likely to avoid sexual problems such as STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), date/acquaintance rape, unintended pregnancies, and incidents involving pressured sex.
5. Alcohol-related Health Risks. Even though you may have never passed out from drinking, alcohol can still be damaging your body and hindering your academic success in the following ways:
   1. The Brain.  Alcohol abuse can lead to hangovers and memory lapses.  Alcohol affects memory and concentration, which makes studying and understanding lectures more difficult.
   2. The Digestive and Immune Systems.  Alcohol abuse can lead to nausea, vomiting, ulcers, liver disease, suppressed immune systems, and other organ damage.  Students who consume alcohol frequently may skip classes or studying, not just when drunk, but also when suffering from alcohol-related digestive problems and illnesses, including hangovers.  Students may miss academic work because of injuries sustained while drinking or because of increased illnesses that result from the negative effects of alcohol consumption on the immune system, leading to more frequent colds and sore throats.
   3. The Cardiovascular system.  Alcohol abuse can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, and respiratory distress or failure. 
   4. The Nerves and Muscles.  Alcohol abuse can lead to a loss of muscle coordination, resulting in severe injuries or inability to perform even simple tasks.
   5. The Reproductive System.  Alcohol abuse can lead to sexual impotence or irregular periods.
   6. Alcohol Poisoning.  Alcohol abuse can cause alcohol poisoning, which can lead to permanent organ damage and even death.  Friends may think that a person who has been drinking a lot is just "sleeping it off."  In actuality, the person may be suffering from alcohol poisoning, may be unconscious or comatose, and may need to be taken to an emergency room.  Medical intervention may save your friend's life.
   7. Effects on the body as a whole.  Alcohol abuse can lead to malnutrition, increased cancer risk, and a weakened immune system.
   8. Psychological and Psychosocial Effects.  Alcohol abuse can have severe, adverse effects on mood and behavior.  Depression and irritability of mood are often a consequence of frequent or excessive alcohol use.  These impacts on mood and behavior can lead to a student having difficulty interacting with peers and instructors.  Further, alcohol users are more likely to engage in social behavior that is destructive to relationships and then use alcohol to try to avoid coming to terms with the negative consequences of such behavior.  Not only are there legal risks and school sanctions involved in underage drinking (legal age in Illinois is 21) but young adults are more likely to have damage to the body and its functions which may not be evident immediately.

1. Family history of alcoholism, alcohol problems, or other drug abuse.
2. Drinking to the point of intoxication or regular use of other drugs before the age of fifteen.
3. Heavy alcohol use for more than one year (6 drinks or more per occasion more than once a week).
4. Consumption of controlled substances or tobacco in any form.
5. Seeking out events where alcohol will be served.
6. Experiencing more than two alcohol-related incidents per year in which serious, negative consequences such as partial or total memory loss, nausea, headache, arrest, fight, or automobile accident was the result.
7. Most of your friends are heavy drinkers and/or other drug abusers.

1. Nicotine. Nicotine is the poisonous chemical ingredient in tobacco which can act both a stimulant and a depressant.  Tobacco use has emerged as one of the deadliest drug habits in America. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, smoking is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year in the United States.  The U.S. Center for Disease Control reports that smoking is harmful to nearly every human body organ.  Even before smokers contract lung cancer or emphysema (or the heart problems or other cancers to which cigarette smoking contributes), they encounter shortness of breath during exercise, yellowed teeth, wrinkled skin, and ashtray-scented hair, breath, and clothes. 
   1. Nicotine Addiction.  Nicotine is a particularly easy drug to develop physical and psychological dependence.  Some research shows that a young adult can become dependent on nicotine after smoking just five cigarettes.  The psychological dependence on nicotine is often particularly strong because users associate smoking with specific activities during the day--after meals, studying, and engaged in conversation.
   2. Make the effort to quit.  Giving up smoking or use of "smokeless" or chewing tobacco is difficult, but worth the time and effort.  Your chances of succeeding will improve with each attempt to quit.  In spite of myths to the contrary, only one-third of quitters gain weight (primarily through changes in eating behavior), another third maintain their weight and the others actually lose weight.
   3. Smokeless tobacco. Smokeless tobacco is by no means “safer” to use, even though the growing number of high school and college-age tobacco chewers demonstrate ignorance to this fact.  In some schools as many as 50% of males and 20% of females admit to trying or currently using smokeless tobacco.  Though smokeless tobacco minimizes lung-cancer risks, it is associated with quick-growing jaw and mouth cancers, as well as significant gum and tooth problems, in addition to all of the negative effects of the poison Nicotine.
2. Caffeine.  Caffeine is a stimulant and a common ingredient in many beverages.  It is possible to develop a true physical addiction to caffeine.  If you drink more than two servings of caffeine daily, your use may be causing you harm.  Like all stimulants, caffeine raises blood pressure.  Significant long-term effects, such as chronic high blood pressure, fibrocystic breast disease, and perhaps certain kinds of cancer may be triggered by excessive use of caffeine during college years.  To minimize caffeine withdrawal symptoms, cut back use gradually.  Caffeine is present not only in coffee, but also tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and many over-the-counter medications designed for weight control, alertness, and fighting cold symptoms.
3. Anabolic Steroids.  Anabolic Steroids are performance-enhancing substances which can have severe and permanent negative side effects on the human body.  The manufacture, delivery, possession, or use of an anabolic steroid without a valid and legal prescription is a criminal offense under Illinois Law.  Physicians or other licensed practitioners are prohibited by law from prescribing anabolic steroids for the purpose of increasing strength, weight or muscle mass without a medical need.  The issuance of a prescription for anabolic steroids for the enhancement of performance in a sport, game, or exercise is illegal.
4. Depressants. Alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and methaqualone are all central nervous system depressants, which means they retard nerve and muscle response.  They can create physical dependence, and rapid withdrawal without medical supervision can be fatal.   Depressants can make you feel sleepy or "drunk," depending on the dosage.  They are sometimes prescribed as sedatives or sleep aids.  Even prescription depressants are only effective and safe for inducing sleep for a few days at a time; they should not be used as long-term solutions for sleep problems.  Abuse of depressants often starts unintentionally.  A doctor may prescribe them for anxiety, back pain, muscle pain, muscle spasms, or some other condition, but a patient may become uncomfortable getting through the day without them and continue the medication indefinitely.  In the long term, anxiety should be dealt with directly without resorting to drugs.  Healthy methods of dealing with anxiety include relaxation tapes, stress management techniques, exercise, and a nutritious diet.
5. PCP.  Phencyclidine, usually called PCP or angel dust, was developed as an animal anesthetic tranquilizer but is now used by some as a powerful depressant drug.  While PCP is sometimes compared to cannabis, PCP has much less predictable, often more dramatic, and sometimes even more violent psychotic results than cannabis.  Psychologist Stephen J. Levy, who has served as director of the Division of Drug Abuse at the New Jersey Medical School, warned that “[e]ven experienced users cannot be certain how it will affect them each time."  Abusers of PCP frequently require intense psychiatric care.  Long-term users of PCP often suffer from permanent psychosis.
6. Narcotics.  Heroin, morphine, opium, codeine, and other narcotics have depressant effects and a strong painkilling effect. Narcotics rapidly create significant dependency, even if snorted or swallowed instead of injected.  Abuse of narcotics can cause extensive damage to the brain, nervous system, and other organs.  Other serious physical complications of narcotics abuse include overdose, allergic reaction to a contaminant, and contraction of HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis from a shared needle.  Frequent injections over a long period of time can lead to abscesses, blood poisoning, vein, and lung infections.
7. Cannabis.  Also known as marijuana, pot, weed, and a host of other names, Cannabis abuse negatively affects the reproductive system, memory and other brain function, and motor coordination.  While scientists have discovered over 360 chemicals in the cannabis plant, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is its most significant hallucinogenic component.  Hashish, which is the pure resin of the plant, is approximately ten times more potent than regular marijuana.  Pure THC is the most concentrated potent form; however, PCP and other potentially hazardous drugs and poisonous chemicals are often sold as THC.  Cannabis is most commonly ingested through smoking.  Unlike most other drugs, which  the body flushes out with water within a day or so of use, THC is fat-soluble so it may remain in your body for several weeks.  Recent reports conclude that lung damage from smoking one marijuana cigarette equals that of smoking five tobacco cigarettes.  Lung tissue of long-term marijuana smokers shows elevated levels of precancerous cellular changes. 
8. Hallucinogens.  Hallucinogens are perception-altering chemicals.  LSD, Psilocybin, Mescaline, and Peyote are among the thousands of plants and synthetic chemicals containing hallucinogens.  Hallucinogens are often extremely potent and can create states more mind-altering than virtually any other drug.  Effects of hallucinogen abuse include increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, dizziness and sleeplessness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, sweating, numbness, weakness, loss of coordination, ataxia, tremors, impulsiveness and rapid emotional shifts ranging from fear to euphoria.  Potency and duration vary significantly among hallucinogens. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is significantly stronger than mushroom-derived Mescaline.  LSD comes in many forms and may be distributed on blotter paper or sugar cubes.  The LSD experience usually begins slowly within an hour of ingestion and lasts from 2 to 12 hours. Psilocybin has a much shorter cycle, and a Mescaline experience may last from 10 to 18 hours.  Many drugs sold as these hallucinogens are wholly or partially PCP or other poisonous substances.
9. Stimulants.  All stimulants, including Caffeine, Cocaine, and Amphetamines, speed up body functions, including the central nervous system, heart rate, and respiration.  Abuse of stimulants causes an increase in blood pressure which increases the risk of cardiovascular damage.  All major categories of stimulants, including amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine, are used in a significant quantity on college campuses.  Stimulants are frequently used by students who want to stay up late studying.  However, stimulant-fueled all-night study sessions lead to reduced retention and ability to recall important information.  Some individuals who want to lose weight also try stimulants; however, the use of stimulants for weight loss purposes quickly becomes ineffective as the body adapts.  Further, weight lost through stimulant abuse is often gained back after the drug use stops, making the benefits of weight loss insignificant compared to the risk of the drug use.  Many amphetamines sold on the street look exactly like prescription pills but are actually illegally manufactured "look-alikes" with unpredictable strength and purity. 
10. Cocaine.  Cocaine is distributed in various forms, including powder Cocaine and solid “crack” Cocaine.  Cocaine in any form is dangerous, can lead to tremors, high blood pressure, nerve disturbances, disrupted sleep and work patterns, and distorted perceptions of one's effectiveness, all of which can adversely impact academic performance.  Cocaine use can also cause long term heart damage which can lead to heart attacks.  Cocaine abuse is a growing problem among college students because Cocaine in any form is extremely addictive.  Cocaine abuse follows a predictable pattern of a euphoric feeling or “rush,” followed by a “crash” marked by feelings of illness, dysphoria, and despair.  Cocaine abusers frequently attempt to eliminate the crash and/or re-capture the initial euphoric feeling by using more Cocaine, but subsequent highs will never be as intense as the high resulting from the first use.  Meanwhile, the user’s body is becoming physically dependent on the drug, which can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms if use is discontinued.

1. Abuse of drugs is likely to result in negative physical effects.  These effects may be significant, permanent, and even fatal.  The following are examples of known physical side effects associated with certain drugs.  This is by no means an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of potential side effects:
   1. Hangovers (depressants)
   2. Nausea and vomiting (narcotics, hallucinogens)
   3. Tremors (cocaine, other stimulants, and tranquilizers)
   4. Sexual dysfunction (depressants, narcotics; also amphetamines and inhalants, some of which exist in drug folklore as sexual enhancers, but which can actually cause impotence and erectile dysfunction)
   5. Cardiovascular damage, including high blood pressure, deterioration of heart muscle, heart failure can be fatal (depressants, narcotics, cocaine, amphetamines).
   6. Respiratory failure, ranging from mild to fatal (depressants, narcotic)
   7. Injury through the loss of motor coordination resulting in automobile accidents, tripping, falling, drowning, etc. (depressants, cannabis, hallucinogens, and narcotics)
   8. Depressed immune system (marijuana, narcotic)
   9. Memory impairment (cannabis)
2. Drugs and Sexual Activity.  As with alcohol, the behavioral and psychological effects of many drugs can impair your judgment and place you at higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancies, and acquaintance rape.
3. Intravenous needles.  Shared intravenous (IV) needles are one very effective means of transmitting HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis.  Use of intravenous needles should be avoided, and those who do use needles should never, under any circumstances, share needles.  It is vitally important that all used needles be disposed of safely and adequately.
4. Drugs and Academic Performance.  If you are under the influence of drugs, your academic performance will be impaired.  Drug abuse negatively impacts memory and concentration.  Further, intoxication may reduce intellectual motivation.  Students who abuse drugs are likely to miss study and class time while using drugs, trying to obtain drugs, or recovering from the effects of drugs.  Drug-depressed or overstimulated nerves may decrease your ability to effectively handle acute or on-going academic stress.
5. Social and Psychological Effects.  Some students may choose drugs as a way to enhance social bonds.  Ultimately, this benefit is illusory.  Bonds based exclusively on shared drug use become destructive as the user develops psychological, financial, and sometimes physical needs to trust someone with whom the user may have little in common other than drugs.

1. In addition to being prohibited by the Lakeview College of Nursing Drug Policy and a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the unlawful use, possession, or distribution of controlled substances is a violation of various Illinois and Federal laws. 
2. Any illegal substance confiscated from a student will be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency for additional investigation and appropriate action.  Lakeview College of Nursing will cooperate fully with any authorized law enforcement agency in any drug-related investigation.
3. Federal Financial Aid.  Conviction of drug distribution or possession may make a student ineligible for Federal Financial Aid.

1. The College offers informal counseling and guidance described in this Handbook.  Further, the College encourages all students to seek and take advantage of available treatment resources when needed.  Referral information is available from the Dean upon request.
2. The College is aware that students may not recognize and/or admit that they are having a problem. The Lakeview College of Nursing Faculty may initiate or recommend a meeting for purposes of discussing and evaluating the student’s situation.  The college has identified an individual who is considered the Student Assistance Program contact and may be called upon to discuss any drug and/or related problems.  These individuals will make an initial assessment based upon their meeting with the student and will determine if a referral to a community health agency is necessary. The College of Nursing contact is:

   Vicky Oliver – 217-709-0939 or email studentsfirst@lakeviewcol.edu

3. Should a student be referred to an agency for evaluation, any cost of treatment will be the student’s responsibility.  Some treatment programs may qualify for payment under the student’s health care plan.
4. All records generated from contact with a student under this section will be strictly confidential.
5. Community resources. The following is a partial listing of community agencies that offer drug and/or alcohol abuse programs:
   • Danville Students:
     1. Prairie Center Health Systems 
     2. Crosspoint Human Services
     3. New Directions Treatment
     4. Alcoholics Anonymous
   • Charleston students:
     1. Prairie Center Health Systems
6. Lakeview College of Nursing courses include Alcohol and Drug Education:
   1. N322: Basic Concepts of Pharmacology
   2. N321: Adult Health I
   3. N332: Maternal-Newborn Health
   4. N333: Infant, Child and Adolescent Health
   5. N323: Mental and Behavioral Health
   6. N442: Population and Global Health