College Policy on Alcohol and Drugs

Williams prohibits the abuse of alcohol and expects members of the College community to abide by federal, state, and local regulations concerning the possession, use, purchase, and distribution of alcohol.  The College prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs, or the unauthorized use of prescription drugs.

Health and Behavioral Risks

The use of drugs can lead to changes in personality and behavior including depression or overactivity, mood swings, and a general lack of motivation.  For narcotics such as heroin, the physical and mental effects include euphoria, drowsiness, and respiratory depression.  For stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines, the effects include an increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, insomnia, and loss of appetite.  LSD and other hallucinogens produce illusions and hallucinations.  With all of these drugs, overdose or accidental overdose can cause death.

The negative physical and mental effects of the use of alcohol are well documented.  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 sexual assault.  Moderate to high doses of alcohol can 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 is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions.  Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening.  Long-term consumption of large amounts of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.

For help with alcohol and/or other drug problems, call the Health Education Office at x 3165.  Additional information is available from the Brien Center (an off-campus referral for substance abuse and mental health treatment) located at 25 Marshall Street, North Adams, MA. Tel. 664-4541 or 24 hour emergency services 1-800-252-0227.

The College's Response to Underage Drinking

Williams College has adopted a sanction program for addressing concerns about underage drinking and illegal drug use and/or possession.  The educational component, rather than a punitive approach, will be the main focus of this program.  At parties, Campus Safety & Security officers will take a more active role to assist hosts and identify underage drinkers.  The names of underage students who are identified as drinking alcohol at parties will be submitted to the Campus Safety & Security Department.

Sanction Levels

Level I – students receiving a Level I alcohol or drug sanction may fall into one of two categories:

• those required to meet with Campus Safety & Security (incidents involving theft, violence, fire extinguisher discharge, use/abuse of hard alcohol, and other incidents of a serious nature). These students would also be required to attend Drink Smart or Straight Dope and would be referred to Level III for further incidents.
• Those receiving a letter from Campus Life with no meeting involved (first-time alcohol-related incident involving low amounts of beer or wine or other incidents of a less-serious nature).

Level II – students receiving a Level II sanction (repeated behavior seen in Level I, category B, for instance) are required to meet with Campus Safety & Security and attend Drink Smart or Straight Dope.

Level III – students receiving a Level III would be referred to the Dean’s Office in conference with the Substance Abuse Counselor. This meeting should occur within one (1) week of the incident.

Beyond Level III – any subsequent incident would normally result in referral to the Dean of the College in order to consider the student’s continued presence at the College. The meeting with the Dean will occur within one (1) week of the incident.

The goal is to raise awareness concerning compliance with state law and to advise the student about any future violations and subsequent sanctions.  Each case will be handled on an individual basis to determine the appropriate follow-up.  The Dean's Office will be notified and will become involved when disciplinary action is necessary.

If the initial interaction originates at the Health Center, no referrals will be made to the Campus Safety & Security Office.  Any student directly seeking assistance from Health Services will be treated in a confidential manner.