Upon entering the institution, all new UW-Stevens Point students participate in Think About It, a mandatory, online alcohol education program. Electronic Check-up to Go for Alcohol and for Marijuana are online programs available to students 24/7 at no cost. These efforts are lead by the UW-Stevens Point Center for Prevention.

Students who are concerned about their alcohol or drug use are welcome to visit with the staff at the Center for Prevention, the Counseling Center, or Student Health Service about options. Faculty and staff may also contact these offices to consult about a student's use and to make a referal.

Several units and departments offer alcohol education including Residential Living, Student Health Promotion and Greek-letter organizations. Additional early intervention and educational services include brief motivational interventions for students, Student Health Service screening of patients using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Office of the Dean of Student refering students involved in policy violations to an alcohol or marijuana education classes.

Resources for Employees

For faculty and staff, Human Resources provides access to "LiveMatters," an Employee Assistance Program. Services for UWSP Employees can be accessed by visiting LifeMatters on the web at  https://members.mylifematters.com or by contacting them by telephone at 800-634-6433.  All services provided by LifeMatters are free to UWSP employees.

LifeMatters services are provided by Empathia, Inc. Empathia is governed by state and federal laws requiring confidentiality of client records. For additional questions please contact the Department of Human Resources and Affirmative Action at hr@uwsp.edu.​

Health Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs

This is a brief summary of some of the principal health risks and hazards associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol. It is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. For more detailed information concerning the dangers of drugs and alcohol, students should consult your doctor or a drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor.

Alcohol and Other Depressants (barbiturates, sedatives and tranquilizers) 

Addiction, accidents as a result of impaired ability and judgment, alcohol overdose, overdose when used with other depressants, causes damage to a developing fetus, heart and liver damage.

Marijuana
Impairs short-term memory, thinking and physical coordination. Can also cause panic reaction and increase the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Can interfere with judgment, attention span, concentration and overall intellectual performance. Impairs driving ability. May cause psychological dependence and compromise the immune system.

Cocaine

Addiction, cardiovascular system damage including heart attack, brain damage, seizures, lung damage, severe depression, paranoia, psychosis. Similar risks are associated with other stimulants, such as speed and uppers.

Nicotine
Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical compounds, many of which are known to cause cancer. Nicotine, which is a central nervous system stimulant, produces an increase in heart and respiration rates, blood pressure, adrenaline production and metabolism. People can rapidly become physically and psychologically dependent on tobacco. Nicotine compromises the immune system.

Inhalants
Inhalants are a diverse group of chemicals that easily evaporate and can cause intoxication when their vapors are inhaled. Most inhalants are central nervous system depressants. Use of these drugs slow down many body functions. High doses can cause severe breathing problems.

University Standards of Conduct and Sanctions Concerning Illicit Drugs and Alcohol

UW System Chapter 17 (Non-academic standards and disciplinary procedures) and Chapter 18 (Conduct on University Land). (The following is excerpted.)

• ​Conduct subject to disciplinary action - Illegal use, possesion, manufacture, or distribution of Alcohol or controlled substances (17.09(6)).
• Smoking tobacco is not allowed in residence halls, nonresidential buildings, or within 25 feet of buildings (18.08(11)).
• Note: The UW-Stevens Point campus is tobacco free effective August 2014.
• The use or possession of alcohol beverages (fermented malt beverages and intoxicating liquors containing 0.5% or more of alcohol by volume) is prohibited on all university premises, except in faculty and staff housing and as permitted by the chief administrative officer, subject to statutory age restrictions. No person may procure, sell, dispense or give away alcohol beverages to any person contrary to the provisions of ch. 125, Stats. (18.09))
• No person may intentionally use or possess marijuana on university lands (18.09)). 
• No person may use, or possess with the primary intent to use, drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance or controlled substance analog in violation of ch. 961, Stats. In this subsection, the term “drug paraphernalia” has the meaning specified in s. 961.571(1), Stats.; the term “controlled substance” has the meaning specified in s. 961.01(4), Stats.; and the term “controlled substance analog” has the meaning specified in s. 961.01(4m), Stats (18.09))
• Sanctions for alcohol and drug policy violations are outlined at the bottom of the page.

Federal and State Laws

Federal Legal Sanctions

Pursuant to federal law, the United States Sentencing Guidelines establish manda­tory minimum penalties for categories of drug offenses and provide for penalty enhancements in specific cases. Under these federal guidelines, courts can sentence a person for up to 6 years for unlawful possession of a controlled sub­stance, including the distribution of a small amount (less than 250 grams) of marijuana; a sentence of life imprisonment can result from a conviction of possession of a con­trolled substance that results in death or bodily injury; and, possession of more than 5 grams of cocaine can trigger an intent to distribute penalty of 10 –16 years in prison.

Federal Penalties and Sanctions for Illegal Possession of Controlled Substances

• ​1st conviction: Up to 1 year imprisonment and fined at least $1,000 but not more than $100,000, or both. After 1 prior drug conviction: At least 15 days in prison, not to exceed 2 years and fined at least $2,500 but not more than $250,000, or both.

• After 2 or more prior drug convictions: At least 90 days in prison, not to exceed 3 years and fined at least $5,000 but not more than $250,000, or both.

• 21 U.S.C. 853(a)(2) and 881(a)(7) Forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance if that offense is punishable by more than 1 year imprison­ment. (See special sentencing provisions re: crack, above.)

• 21 U.S.C. 881(a)(4) Forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance.

• 21 U.S.C. 844a Civil fine of up to $10,000.

• 21 U.S.C. 862 Denial of Federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses, up to 1 year for first offense, up to 5 years for second and subsequent offenses.

• 18 U.S.C. 922(g) Ineligible to pur­chase, receive or transport a firearm. Miscellaneous Revocation of certain Federal licenses and benefits, e.g. pilot licenses, public housing tenancy, etc.

State of Wisconsin Laws and Potential Sanctions

The Uniform Controlled Substances Act, Chapter 961 of the Wisconsin Statutes, regulates controlled substances and outlines specific penalties for the violation of the regulations. A first-time conviction for possession of a controlled substance can result in a sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Sec. 961.41(3g), Stats. A person convicted of manufacturing a controlled substance, delivering a controlled substance, or pos­sessing a controlled substance with an intent to manufacture or deliver, can be imprisoned for up to 30 years and fined up to $1,000,000. Secs. 961.41(1) and (1m), Stats. Penalties vary according to the type of drug involved, the amount of drug confiscated, the number of previ­ous convictions, and the presence of any aggravating factors. The distribution of a controlled substance to a minor can lead to the doubling of an authorized sentence term.

Sec. 961.46, Stats. Wisconsin has formidable legal sanctions that restrict the use of alcohol in various situations. It is illegal to procure for, sell, dispense or give away alcohol to anyone who has not reached the legal drinking age of 21 years. Sec. 125.07(1)(a)(1), Stats. Every adult has a legal obligation to prevent the illegal con­sumption of alcohol on premises owned by the adult or under the adult’s control. Sec. 125.07(1)(a)(3), Stats. A first-time violator of either of the above subsections can be fined up to $500. It is against the law for an underage person to procure or attempt to procure an alcoholic beverage, to falsely represent his or her age for the purpose of obtaining alcohol, to enter premises licensed to sell alcohol, or to consume or possess alcohol on licensed premises. Sec. 125.07(4)(a), Stats. A first-time underage violator of Section 125.07(4)(bs), Stats., can be fined up to $500, ordered to participate in a supervised work program, and have their driver’s license suspended.

City of Stevens Point Sanctions

• Underage drinking violation - tavern related (17-20 yr olds), First offense; $452.50

• Underage drinking violation - non-tavern related (17-20 yr olds), First offense; $263.50

• Identification card violation - carrying, obtaining, providing, making, altering, duplicating (use of another’s id without consent is a felony) (17-20 yr olds); $515.50

• Sale of alcohol beverage without license/permit - (illegal taverns or house parties) First offense; $389.50

• Procure for/sell/dispense/give alcohol to an underage person - 1st offense; $389.50 

• Being Loud, abusive, arguing, etc.; $186.00

• Aggravated loudness, abusiveness, profanity, involving property damage; $326.50

• Fighting, resisting arrest; $263.50

• Open intoxicant or malt beverage on public way; $236.50

• Causing damage to property/graffiti;  $263.50

• Urinating/defecating on public/private property without owner’s consent $175.50

• Social host ordinance: between $300 and $2,000

Sanctions Guidelines for Student Alcohol and Drug Policy Violations

​ at UW-Stevens Point