1.10 Drug-Free Workplace and Drug-Free Schools and Community Regulations

October 16, 2025

To:  SPU Faculty & Staff 

From: Terry Winn, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources 

Re:   Drug Free Schools and Campuses Notification 

Drug Free Schools and Campuses Notification 

As part of the Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and Drug Free Workplace Act, the University delivers annual notification to all employees of the University’s policy on illicit drugs and alcohol, consequences of policy violations, health risks, and legal sanctions, as well as community resources for individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse problems. This information may be found below. 

Statement of University Policy 

1. Seattle Pacific University does not permit faculty, staff, or students to unlawfully possess, use, or distribute illicit drugs or alcohol. 

2. In addition to prohibiting what is unlawful, University policy prohibits its employees and students from possessing, using, or distributing alcohol in certain circumstances. The other prohibitions and sanctions imposed on employees may be found in the Employee Handbook. The other prohibitions and sanctions imposed on students may be found in the Student Handbook (for undergraduate students) or Graduate Student Handbook (for graduate students). 

The University will impose appropriate disciplinary sanctions on any employee or student who violates any of the University’s drug or alcohol policies. In the case of a student, possible disciplinary sanctions include a warning, written reprimand, disciplinary probation, counseling, fine, restitution, community service, loss of privilege, transfer to different student housing unit, suspension from housing, exclusion from part or all of the campus, suspension, behavioral contract, and other appropriate sanctions, up to and including expulsion (termination of student status). In the case of an employee, possible disciplinary sanctions include verbal counseling, written warning, withholding of wage increases, suspension with or without pay, demotion, and other appropriate sanctions, up to and including termination of employment. 

Even though Washington state decriminalized marijuana possession under 1 oz. for adults over age 21, it is still illegal under Federal law to possess, use, or distribute any amount of marijuana. Possession, use, or distribution of any amount of marijuana at any time is also not permitted for employees under SPU policy. 

Health Risks 

See attached for important alcohol and drug health risk information. 

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 spouse and child abuse. 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 can have irreversible physical abnormalities and intellectual disabilities. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics. 

Legal Sanctions 

Washington State prohibits underage drinking. In Washington, it is illegal for a person under the age of 21 years to possess, consume, or otherwise acquire any liquor (e.g., alcohol, spirits, wine, beer). It is also illegal for a person under age 21 to exhibit the effects in a public place of having consumed liquor (e.g., being intoxicated in public). 

Washington State also prohibits facilitating underage drinking for others. In Washington, it is illegal for any person to sell, give, or otherwise supply liquor to someone under age 21. It is also illegal for any person to permit someone under age 21 to consume liquor on the person’s premises (e.g., you cannot let someone under age 21 consume alcohol in your house, car, or boat). 

There are limited exceptions to the foregoing prohibitions (e.g., when liquor is provided for medicinal purposes by an authorized person). However, generally violations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months. For more information, see RCW 66.44.270 (i.e., the applicable Washington law). 

The possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs is prohibited by federal and state law. Strict penalties are provided for drug convictions, including mandatory prison terms for many offenses. See below for a Summary of Federal and State Drug Laws. For more information, you can also review the federal Controlled Substances Act and the state Uniform Controlled Substances Act. 

Treatment/Counseling Availability 

• You may refer to the Student Counseling Center’s list of Resources and Referrals (e.g., see “Addictions – Alcohol and other drugs”): https://spu.edu/administration/student-counseling-center/resources-referrals  

• Additionally, you may be eligible to participate in our Employee Assistance Program through Unum. This assistance is available 24/7 to SPU employees by calling 1-800-854-1446 or online at  Employee Assistance Program (unum.com). For more information, consult the Employee Assistance Program webpage (https://wiki.spu.edu/display/HR/Employee+Assistance+Program) in the Employee Benefits Handbook. 

• Alcohol/Drug 24-hourHelp Line 

Washington Recovery Helpline 206-461-3610 (TTY), 866-789-1511 

If you have questions about the University’s policy on Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco, please contact the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources – Terry Winn winnt@spu.edu or call x2678. 

Health Risks from substance abuse 

Some Possible Long-Term Effects 

• Alchohol physical dependence, neurological and liver damage, fetal alcohol syndrome, impaired judgment

• Amphetamines (uppers, speed, crank) loss of appetite, delusions, hallucinations, heart problems, hypertension, irritability, insomnia, toxic psychosis, rebound depression

• Barbiturates (barbs, bluebirds, blues) severe withdrawal symptoms, possible convulsions, toxic psychosis, depression, physical dependence, impaired judgment

• Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Dalmane, Rohypnol) (benzos, downers, sleepers, tranqs, roofies) impaired judgment, sedation, panic reaction, seizures, psychological dependence, physical dependence

• Cocaine & Cocaine freebase (coke) loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, seizure, heart attack, stroke, hypertension, psychosis, chronic cough, nasal passage injury, hallucinations

• Codeine - physical dependence, constipation, loss of appetite, lethargy, respiratory depression

• Heroin (H, junk, smack) physical dependence, constipation, loss of appetite, lethargy, respiratory depression

• Inhalants (ames, gas, laughing gas, poppers, snappers) psychological dependence, psychotic reactions, confusion, frozen airway, sudden death

• LSD (acid) may intensify existing psychosis, panic reactions, can interfere with psychological adjustment and social functioning, insomnia, flashbacks

• MDA, MDMA, MOMA (ecstasy, xtc) same as LSD, sleeplessness, nausea, confusion, increased blood- pressure, sweating, paranoia

• Marijuana  (cannabis) (pot, grass, dope, weed, joints) bronchitis, conjunctivitis, mood swings, paranoia, lethargy, impaired concentration

• Mescaline (peyote cactus) (mesc, peyote) may intensify existing psychosis, hallucinations at high dose

• Methamphetamines (crystal, crystal meth, crank, tweak, speed, ice or glass) can cause nausea, tremors, dizziness, hyperthermia, heart failure, and stroke. Can cause anxiety and hallucinations where the person feels panicked and paranoid, and may behave violently toward other people or themselves.

• Methaqualone (ludes) coma, convulsions

• Morphine (M, morf) physical dependence, constipation, loss of appetite, lethargy

• PCP (crystal, tea, angel dust) psychotic behavior, violent acts, psychosis, hallucinations at high dose

• Psilocybin (magic mushrooms, shrooms) may intensify existing psychosis

• Steroids (roids, juice) cholesterol imbalance, acne, baldness, anger management problems, masculinization of women, breast enlargement in men, premature fusion of long bones preventing attainment of normal height, atrophy of   reproductive organs, impotence, reduced fertility, stroke, hypertension, congestive heart failure, liver damage, depression

SUMMARY OF FEDERAL AND STATE DRUG LAWS 

FEDERAL DRUG LAWS 

Possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs is prohibited by federal law. Strict penalties are provided for drug convictions, including mandatory prison terms for many offenses. Penalties increase significantly where use of the illicit drugs results in death or serious bodily injury. The following information, although not complete, is an overview of federal penalties for first convictions. 

Federal Drug Possession Penalties (21 USC §844) 21 USC 844: Penalties for simple possession

Persons convicted of illegally possessing any controlled substance face penalties of up to 1 year in a prison and a minimum fine of $1,000, or both. Second convictions are punishable by not less than 15 days but not more than 2 years in prison and a minimum fine of $2,500. Subsequent convictions are punishable by not less than 90 days but not more than 3 years in prison and a minimum fine of

$5,000.

Special sentencing provisions for possession of Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, “roofies” or “roaches”) impose a prison term of up to 3 years, a fine, or both.

Civil penalties of up to $10,000 may also be imposed for possession of controlled substances, whether or not criminal prosecution is pursued. Persons convicted of possession may also be fined for the reasonable costs of the investigation and prosecution of the offense. Penalties for possession with intent to distribute are potentially even more severe. 

Drug Paraphernalia (21 USC §863): 21 USC 863: Drug paraphernalia

Persons convicted on federal charges of the sale, import, export, or shipping of drug paraphernalia face penalties of up to 3 years in prison and a monetary fine. 

Forfeiture of Personal Property, Real Estate (21 USC §853) : 21 USC 853: Criminal forfeitures

Any person convicted of a federal drug offense punishable by more than one year in prison shall forfeit to the United States any personal or real property related to the violation, including houses, cars, and other personal belongings. Property may be seized upon arrest on charges that may result in forfeiture.

Denial of Federal Benefits (21 USC §862) : 21 USC 862: Denial of Federal benefits to drug traffickers and possessors

A federal drug conviction may result in the loss of federal benefits, including school loans, grants, contracts, and licenses. Federal drug trafficking convictions may result in denial of federal benefits for up to 5 years for a first conviction, 10 years for a second conviction, and permanent denial of federal benefits for a third conviction. Federal drug convictions for possession may result in denial of federal benefits for up to 1 year for a first conviction and up to 5 years for subsequent convictions.

Drug Trafficking (21 USC §841) : 21 USC 841: Prohibited acts A

Penalties for federal drug trafficking convictions vary according to the quantity of the controlled substances involved in the transaction. The tables below summarize penalty information for several types of controlled substances. Persons who violate federal drug trafficking laws within 1,000 feet of a university may face penalties or prison terms and fines up to twice as high as the regular penalties for the offense, with a mandatory prison sentence of at least one year (21 USC §860). 

WASHINGTON STATE DRUG LAWS (RCW 69.50) 

The following is a partial list of drugs considered to be controlled substances by the State of Washington: narcotics (opium, cocaine, and heroin); marijuana; methamphetamine; barbiturates; and hallucinogenic substances (LSD, peyote, mescaline, psilocybin, PCP, THC, MDA, STP). The following is a partial list of acts prohibited by Washington state law: 

• Illegal Sale of Controlled Substances 

• Illegal Manufacture or Delivery of Controlled Substances 

• Illegal Possession of Controlled Substances 

• Possession of more than 1 oz. of marijuana 

• Use, delivery, or possession of drug paraphernalia 

More severe penalties are provided for persons convicted of providing controlled substances to minors, for repeat offenses, and for providing controlled substances in or near schools or parks. See below for a table that summarizes certain penalties for state drug law violations.

SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
3307 3rd Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119-1950, U.S.A.