Drug and Alcohol

Biola University seeks to foster an alcohol-and-drug-free environment in which to work, live, learn, and grow. As a Christian university, we approach alcohol and other drug abuse with a combination of compassion, encouragement, directness, and concerned firmness. An aspect of this caring approach is the consistent enforcement of the regulations on alcohol and other drugs and substances contained within this policy. The purpose of this policy is to ensure a safe environment that is consistent with the mission of the university and its goal to foster an alcohol-and drug-free environment. The use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages, illicit drugs, or other controlled substances (including misuse of prescribed medications or use of any substance with the intent of becoming impaired/intoxicated) by students of Biola is prohibited and violates this policy as well as the university’s standard of conduct. Students who choose to engage in any of these behaviors will be referred to the Department of Student Care in Student Development, and they will be engaged in the university's disciplinary process as outlined in the Undergraduate Student Handbook. Biola University is operating in conformity with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-336) and Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. The following below summarizes Biola’s policy and program for undergraduate students.

Research demonstrates that tobacco use is a health hazard to both smokers and non-smokers. According to the Surgeon General, cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of illness and premature death in the United States. Non-smokers who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke are also at increased risk of illness. In the interest of creating a safe and healthy environment, Biola University has adopted the following policy. This policy applies to all university facilities on the La Mirada campus. All persons using the facilities of the University are subject to this policy.

1. Students smoking (on or off campus), possessing and/or using any tobacco products (i.e. cigarettes, snuff, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco or any nicotine products (i.e. e- cigarettes/vaporizers) are in violation of university policy.
2. Smoking (including e-cigarettes/vaporizers) is prohibited on all university facilities, either inside buildings or outside.
3. Smoking (including e-cigarettes/vaporizers) is prohibited in any vehicle owned, leased, or operated by the University.
4. The sale, distribution, or advertisement of tobacco products and e-cigarettes/vaporizers is prohibited on campus.
5. Clothing, posters, containers or other materials displaying tobacco product logos or trademarks are prohibited on campus.
6. Vaporizers are prohibited on campus regardless of the substance being vaporized.

The use or abuse of alcohol and other drugs/substances could increase the risk for a number of health related and other medical, behavioral, and social problems. These include the acute health problems related to intoxication or overdose (blackouts, convulsions, coma, death); physical and psychological dependence; malnutrition; long-term health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver, organic brain damage, high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, and cancer of the liver, mouth, throat, and stomach; contracting diseases such as AIDS through the sharing of hypodermic needles; pregnancy problems including miscarriages, still birth and learning disabilities; fetal alcohol syndrome; psychological or psychiatric problems; diminished behaviors (hangovers, hallucinations, disorientation, slurred speech); unusual or inappropriate risk-taking, which may result in physical injury or death; violent behavior towards others, such as assault or rape; accidents caused by operating machinery while impaired; impaired driving resulting in alcohol and drug-related arrest, traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities; negative effects on academic and work performance; conflicts with co-workers, classmates, family, friends, and others; conduct problems resulting in disciplinary actions, including loss of employment; and legal problems including imprisonment.

In particular, alcohol abuse can cause very serious health and behavioral problems, including short and long term effects upon the body (physiological and psychological), as well as impairment of learning ability, memory and performance. Other effects include:

• Decreased performance and absenteeism
• Drowsiness and mood swings
• Poor judgment and coordination/tremors
• Lower morale/self-esteem
• Increase in conflict with others

Substance abuse can cause very serious health and behavioral problems, including short and long term effects upon the body (physiological and psychological), as well as impairment of learning ability, memory, and performance. Other effects of specific substances include:

• Marijuana
  • Disruption of space and distance judgment
  • Slower motor skills and coordination
  • Dilated pupils
  • Drowsiness/mood swings
  • Forgetfulness
  • Diminished mental capacity
• Cocaine/Crack
  • Short attention span
  • Mood swings; euphoria
  • Irritability, depression
  • Impaired judgment and decision making ability
  • Stealing to cover cost of drugs
  • Lack of dependability
  • Running nose; excessive sweating
• Hallucinogens: PCP, LSD, Ecstasy, Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Peyote, Salvia Divinorum
  • Loss of memory/concentration
  • Pupils dilated or constricted
  • Visual/auditory hallucinations
  • Sudden bizarre behavioral changes
  • Moodiness
  • Interpersonal conflicts
• Amphetamines: Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Cross-tops, Whites, Uppers
  • Dilated pupils
  • Increased accidents
  • Diminished reflexes
• Methamphetamines: Crank, Crystal
  • Impaired judgment/decision making
  • Hyperactivity, irritability, anxiety, depression
  • Decreased appetite, weight loss, tremors
• Sedatives/Barbiturates/Tranquilizers: Valium, Xanax, Seconal, Tuinal, Reds, Downers
  • Diminished reflexes/lower productivity
  • Memory Loss
  • Slurred speech/depression
  • Slowed mental processing

All students are held responsible to applicable federal, state, local, and Biola University policies pertaining to alcohol and other drugs and substances. When violations of law or policy come to the attention of school officials, students may be referred for prosecution and university sanctions will be imposed. Harm to persons or damage to either private or university property arising from the actions of intoxicated and/or drug-impaired individuals on the premises of the university will be the full and sole responsibility of such individuals.

1. The purchase, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages by any person under the age of 21 is prohibited.
2. It is a violation to promote, distribute, sell, possess, or use alcohol or narcotics or other impairing or intoxicating substances either on- or off-campus regardless of the student‘s age.
3. The selling, either directly or indirectly, of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. The serving of alcohol to an intoxicated person is prohibited. Also, the serving of alcohol to someone to the point of intoxication is prohibited.
4. The act(s) of being drunk and disorderly in public view, including on public sidewalks and walkways, is prohibited.
5. The unlawful distribution or possession of a prescribed medication is prohibited under California law.
6. Because we are a Christian community of believers, our choices impact each other. Therefore, it is a violation to knowingly be and/or remain in the company of others who are using alcohol, tobacco, controlled and/or other mind-altering substances while on university property. It is also a violation to knowingly be and/or remain in the company of other Biola students, while off campus, who are using alcohol, tobacco, controlled and/or other mind-altering substances.
7. It is a violation to misrepresent one‘s age for the purposes of purchasing or consuming alcohol. This includes possessing a fraudulent ID. Possessing a fake ID may result in university probation on the first offense.
8. Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is prohibited and a serious threat to oneself and the community and may result in immediate suspension or dismissal. Anyone who injures another person as a result of driving under the influence should expect significant disciplinary consequences, which would likely include dismissal from the university.
9. The attempt to obtain, use, possess, distribute, or sell any amount of any drug or other substance used with the intent of becoming impaired/intoxicated, or drug-related paraphernalia is strictly prohibited (including marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes). Anyone involved in the sale or distribution of any such drugs or substances on or off-campus will be subject to discipline and may be suspended or dismissed from the university.
10. It is a violation to possess or consume non-alcoholic beers on-campus.
11. The possession of an alcoholic beverage in an open container in a motor vehicle or on a bicycle is prohibited by law.
12. Promoting the consumption of drugs or alcoholic beverages may not be undertaken within the confines of university properties or through university-sponsored or approved publications. No displays of any kind that promote a lifestyle of drinking or drug use are permitted, including on vehicles parked on campus. Examples include: alcohol brand advertisements or clothing; pictures or posters of drugs or alcohol; alcohol-carrying containers or bottle caps.
13. Any student or student organization found supplying alcohol at university-sponsored off- campus events will be subject to disciplinary action and may be suspended or dismissed from the university.
14. Hosting or in any way assisting or promoting an off-campus gathering that includes drinking or drunkenness is a violation of university policy and may result in suspension or dismissal from the university.
15. Any student who encourages another to consume alcoholic beverages or any substance as a means to induce that individual to engage in behavior that would otherwise be against that person‘s will is subject to suspension or dismissal.
16. Any student who sexually assaults another person who is intoxicated is subject to discipline in accordance with the university's Title IX policy.

Students violating this policy are subject to disciplinary actions up to and including suspension or dismissal from the university in accordance with university policies and procedures.

In addition to the university process, the university will involve local law enforcement officials when appropriate. Illegal possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs, or illegal use or possession of alcohol is punishable under applicable local, state and federal law.

• The California Health & Safety Code states that “Every person who possesses any controlled substance shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year”, including applicable financial penalties and formal probation. (H & S 11350), and “Every person who possesses for sale, or purchases for sale, any controlled substance shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two to four years” (H & S 11351).
• Under federal law, the possession, use and/or sale of narcotics, marijuana, and/or other illicit drugs may include imprisonment for one to fifteen years, plus substantial financial penalties.   The possession of marijuana for the purpose of sale, shall be punished by completing drug education or counseling, community service, and/or imprisonment in a county jail (H&S 11359). In addition, possession of any drug paraphernalia for the purpose of unlawfully smoking or injecting a controlled substance is punishable with imprisonment in a county jail (H & S 11364).
• The California Business and Professions Code states that the purchase, possession, distribution, or use of alcoholic beverages is illegal for those under the age of 21 in the State of California and constitutes a misdemeanor under B & P Code 25658, 25658.5, and 25662. The use of alcohol by obviously intoxicated individuals will vary with the particular circumstances but may include imprisonment, plus substantial fines and penalties. In addition, minors who are arrested for violations concerning the use of alcohol run the risk of having their driving privileges suspended or revoked until they are age 18. The unlawful sale of alcohol may include imprisonment for six months, plus fines and penalties.
• In addition, the unlawful distribution or possession of a prescribed medication is also prohibited and punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary (B & P 4059 & 4060).
• A violation of law involving an individual being under the influence of a combination of alcohol and other drugs may result in an increase in criminal sanctions and penalties.

If you need help or know someone with an alcohol, drug, or substance-related problem, please know that the Counseling Center, the Health Center, and Student Development staff (e.g., Resident Directors, Commuter Life staff, Department of Student Care Staff) will provide assistance to those who come forward seeking help. The Counseling Center provides confidential consultations with trained psychologists and marriage & family therapists, at extremely low cost, and also makes referrals to outside counseling and treatment services.

Biola University Resources for Undergraduate Students

• Biola Counseling Center: (562) 903-4800
• Department of Student Care, Student Development: (562) 944-0351, Ext. 5842
• Health Center: (562) 903-4841

Other Resources

• Alcoholics Anonymous 
  • English: (323) 936-4343
  • Español: (323) 750-2039
• Al-Anon: (818) 760-7122
• Adult Children of Alcoholics: (310) 534-1815
• Cocaine Anonymous: (888) 714-8341
• Family Anonymous Drug Abuse: (847) 294-5877
• Marijuana Anonymous
  • English and Español: (800) 766-6779
• Narcotics Anonymous
  • English: (800) 863-2962
  • Español: (888) 622-4692
• National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency: (818) 997-0414