Alcohol & Other Drugs

Overview

As a community of scholars and learners, Duke University expects those within its community to be responsible for their choices related to the use of alcohol and other drugs. In keeping with this principle and federal, state, and local laws, the University's Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy emphasizes individual and shared responsibility, healthy and informed decision-making, the maintenance of a caring environment, and the promotion of genuine dialogue. Students are encouraged to learn about the potential social, physiological, and psychological consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. Excessive and high-risk substance use can lead to negative consequences for the Duke community and its members, including assault, illness, injury, litter, noise, property damage, driving under the influence, arrest and/or criminal charges. All members of the Duke community share responsibility for creating an environment that limits dangerous substance use behaviors and, therefore, reduces the likelihood of these negative outcomes. Members of the Duke community are responsible for behaving in a manner that is not disruptive or endangering to themselves or others. Being under the influence of alcohol shall not be a mitigating factor for an individual’s behavior.

Alcohol

Reasonable use of alcohol is permitted in select areas of campus pursuant to the following guidelines:

• Hard or spiritous liquors are prohibited on all campuses (East, Central, and West) for all students, regardless of whether a student is above 21 years of age, except at events in which licensed service (i.e., a venue that holds a liquor license) is being utilized.
• Students aged 21 and over may consume and/or possess alcohol on campus (except on East Campus).
• Students under 21 years of age are not permitted to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages. Student(s) and student groups are considered in violation of this policy if they facilitate the acquisition of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. An exception may exist for students studying abroad in jurisdictions with different laws regarding the age of alcohol consumption. Students studying abroad must comply with the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are located.
• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in first-year residence halls or the surrounding grounds.
• Licensed kegs (i.e., kegs obtained from a licensed retailer such as a brewery, ABC, etc.) are allowed for gatherings of 50 or more in the common spaces of residence halls on West Campus (not in private rooms) and other spaces on campus that have been reserved pursuant to the Guidelines for Events Involving Alcohol. Other common-source containers (including but not limited to: punch bowls, coolers, garbage cans, BORGS, kiddie pools, etc.) are prohibited except as specifically authorized by the University.

Student(s) and student groups are prohibited from engaging in actions that are harmful or potentially harmful to oneself or others involving the use of alcohol (i.e., off-campus public intoxication, illegal driving while under the influence of alcohol, attempted use of fraudulent identification or another’s identification to obtain alcohol, etc.). Prohibited actions while under the influence of alcohol that are disruptive to the on and off-campus communities include but are not limited to disorderly conduct, damaging property, fighting, running away, or hiding from university or public officials.

Any gathering (i.e., 25 guests or more present) where alcohol is present must be registered by the hosting student(s) or student organization(s) and is required to follow the Guidelines for Events Involving Alcohol. The Guidelines for Events Involving Alcohol are designed to promote safe events for community members and help student(s) and student organizations mitigate the risks of hosting an event. For more information regarding registering social events and/or events with alcohol, see the Guidelines for Events Involving Alcohol.

At its discretion, the university may prohibit specific calendar dates, individual(s), student groups, and/or events with alcohol.
 

Other Drugs

Duke University also prohibits the possession of cannabis and other drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to bongs, pipes, grinders, homemade equipment, THC vapes/cartridges, alternative cannabis products (i.e. tinctures, lotions/balms), vapes for use with cannabis oils. Drugs and drug paraphernalia are not permitted on campus due to federal regulations.

Students and student organizations, regardless of age or location, are prohibited from possessing, using, selling, distributing, growing, manufacturing, and facilitating the use of illegal drugs, controlled substances, and other illegal substances, as well as substances that are used to impair. This includes the improper use of an otherwise lawful substance. This includes substances covered under the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act, the North Carolina Toxic Vapors Act, the Drug- Free Schools and Communities Act and/or any other applicable law.

Duke prohibits the unlawful distribution, possession, social sharing, non-prescribed use, or misuse for prescription drugs. Altering, tampering, or forging a prescription is prohibited.

Duke prohibits driving while under the influence of drugs, regardless of location or age, except as permitted by law.

Duke also prohibits the possession of drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to bongs, pipes, homemade equipment or THC vapes/cartridges.

If a university official responds to the smell of cannabis, the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards may proceed with a disciplinary process and may determine responsibility, based on the totality of the information. The factors to be considered include but are not limited to: the smell of cannabis, the presence of paraphernalia related to cannabis use (water bongs, grinders, pipes), behaviors indicative of cannabis/THC influence, and any applicable packing, packaging, or testing.

Health and Safety Initiative (Amnesty)

Because health and safety of students are of primary importance, students are encouraged not only to look out for their own health and safety but also for that of their peers. When a person’s health and/or safety is/are threatened or appear(s) to be in jeopardy, immediate action should be taken to prevent injury/illness/danger.

Dial 911, notify the Duke University Police Department at 919-684-2444, or the appropriate Housing & Residence Life staff member during designated on-call times (if you are on campus) for help.

Whatever the particular need/problem, it is important to respond in a responsible and timely manner.

Formal disciplinary action for a violation of possession or use of alcohol and other drugs will not be taken against students for whom medical assistance is sought, those who seek medical assistance for themselves or for others, or those who are assessed and/or transported by EMS. Students or student groups who are alleged to have violated other University policies are not entitled to amnesty for their non-alcohol or other drug-related misconduct.

A student who receives medical assistance may be required to attend an approved alcohol or drug education program, educational assignment, assessment, and/or possible referral for treatment. Parents of such students may be notified. A group that facilitates the acquisition of drugs may also be required to notify its advisor, provide an educational program for members, and/or change its processes for hosting events.

In the event that a student or student group fails to meet with the designated specialist, chooses not to participate in the outlined expectations or programs, or exhibits a pattern of concerning behavior with alcohol and/or other substances, the student or student group may be subject to formal disciplinary action for failure to comply and/or subsequent policy violation(s).

The Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards has the discretion to offer a student amnesty more than once.