Federal Compliance and Consumer Information

The Alcohol and Drug Policy is in compliance with local, state, and federal law. Edgewood College students are subject to all laws of the State of Wisconsin regarding possession, consumption, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages or drugs. In addition to state laws, Madison enforces several local ordinances around alcohol. More information about local and state alcohol laws and penalties can be found at www.cityofmadison.com and https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/125.

Individuals over 21 years of age have the right to choose to consume alcohol. Edgewood College urges those individuals to exercise sound judgment and responsibility in making that decision. Edgewood College does not condone underage consumption of alcohol.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Initially it may appear to stimulate a person and reduce inhibitions. Greater amounts of alcohol will depress deeper parts of the brain, leading to loss of judgment and impaired sensory perception and motor skills. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to increased rates of physical and sexual assault, altercations, injuries, and diminished academic performance. Abuse of alcohol can pose several other health risks, both physical and psychological, such as: impaired ability to reason, damage to the heart and liver, irritation of the stomach lining possibly leading to ulcers, and depression of brain centers, causing poor coordination, confusion, disorientation, stupor, anesthesia, coma, and death. Brain damage from alcohol abuse is permanent and recent studies suggest that brain development continues into a person’s mid-20s making the damage that occurs in those years more significant.

Cannabis produces an intoxicating effect that slows reasoning abilities. Concentration and problem-solving abilities are impaired. Slowed reflexes, reaction time, and poor peripheral vision may also result. Cannabis has multiple adverse effects on the body including increased heart rate, lung damage, increased cancer risk, diminished immune systems and risk of memory impairment. Long term use has also been linked to increases in anxiety, depression, and lower academic performance. Important psychological and emotional developmental tasks (such as career establishment or developing emotional intimacy) can be delayed or stalled with heavy use of cannabis.

Party/Club Drugs refer to a large group of drugs often used at parties, raves or dance clubs and other settings that, as a group, have a wide variety of effects and risks. Some of the drugs in this informal grouping include: ecstasy, GHB, Ketamine, LSD, Rohypnol. Ecstasy is the most common of these drugs and it’s taken for the euphoric effects, heightened energy, and emotional warmth it produces in some users. The risks of these drugs are serious for even occasional use. Risks include: increased heart rate, nausea, dizziness, muscle tensions, teeth clenching, dangerously high body temperature, depression, and anxiety. Longterm use can lead to memory problems and depression. Pills sold as ecstasy often include other substances that create even more serious health risks.

Drugs that stimulate the central nervous system have a high potential for abuse because continuous use can result in severe dependence. Low doses of stimulants cause increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. Sleeplessness and anxiety may also result. Higher doses cause irritability and excitability. Users may also experience feelings of paranoia and illusions or hallucinations. Abuse of these substances causes increased risk of heart failure, malnutrition, and a weakening of the body’s immune system. Most prescription drugs used to treat Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder are amphetamines and produce the same risks from misuse as other forms of amphetamines noted above. Illegal use of ADHD prescription drugs carries very serious criminal penalties.

Use of substances which depress the central nervous system can produce habituation and physical dependence. Depressants slow the bodily functions, causing sleepiness or grogginess, impaired motor skills, poor memory, and faulty judgment. Larger doses may cause unconsciousness or death. Taken over a period of time, abusing these substances can result in a physical dependency. Withdrawal from physical dependency must be medically supervised. Abruptly stopping the drug can cause delirium and convulsions. The use of central nervous system depressants in combination with alcohol significantly increases the risk of death. The most common form of unintentional overdose results from the combination of barbiturates and alcohol. Misuse of prescription opiates such as OxyContin or Vicodin is very dangerous due to the risk of addiction and overdose. Overdose risk is especially high when combined with alcohol. Legal penalties for such misuse are also very serious.

Hallucinogens can cause habituation or psychological dependence. There are minimal withdrawal symptoms when regular use of the drug is stopped; however, unpleasant psychological reactions are common. Risks include breaks from reality, flashbacks, emotional breakdown, and memory lapse. More severe reactions can include convulsions, partial paralysis, delusion, hysteria, and outbreaks of violence.

This policy is subject to amendment. Edgewood College reserves the right to amend, add, delete, or modify this policy, and any others, for any purpose including compliance with local, state, or federal law.

At the discretion of the appropriate College authorities, assistance for problems with drug or alcohol may be offered in lieu of, or concurrent with, disciplinary action. An assessment and/or evidence of satisfactory progress toward elimination of the problem may be required as part of any such agreement. A conscientious effort to seek help will not, by itself, jeopardize a student’s enrollment. Students in need of help for an alcohol or drug problem are encouraged to utilize Personal Counseling Service (608-663-4148).

1. Alcoholic beverages may only be possessed, purchased and/or consumed by persons of legal drinking age, and then only in areas designated by the College.

2. No person may obtain, sell, dispense, or give alcoholic beverages for or to an underage person.

3. Alcohol abuse and/or drug/alcohol intoxication is not permitted.

4. Use, possession, sale, delivery, manufacturing, or distribution of any narcotic, drug, and/or medicine prescribed to another person, chemical compound, or other controlled substance, except in accordance with federal, state, local law, and/or Edgewood College policy is expressly forbidden.

5. Possession of drug-related paraphernalia, except in accordance with federal, state, local law, and/or Edgewood College policy is expressly forbidden.

6. Being under the influence of narcotics, drugs, medicine prescribed another person, medicine in excess of an individual’s prescribed limits, chemical compound, or other controlled substance, except in accordance with federal, state, local law, and/or Edgewood College policy is expressly forbidden.

7. Alcohol-related paraphernalia and alcohol-related decorations including those that once served as containers for alcohol are not permitted in residential units. Collections of bottle caps, alcohol cartons, alcohol cans, beer bongs, alcohol bottles, similar paraphernalia, and beer kegs are not permitted.

8. Alcohol may only be distributed on campus by the College’s Dining Services contractor. All students are required to show proof of age when purchasing or accepting alcoholic beverages on campus. Students who fail to provide this information, Effective Date: August 14, 2023 14 use false information, or violate the law and/or College policy are liable for disciplinary action.

9. The obvious odor of alcohol or other drugs in unpermitted areas may be documented and treated as evidence of policy violation. Individuals in or related to the vicinity of these odors may be subject to the Student Conduct process.