Drug Policy

Refer to Student Handbook (PDF) regarding the University's Drug Policy.

Students are subject to criminal laws regarding the sale, use, and possession of drugs or other controlled substances. It is the policy of Northwestern University that the campus is not a sanctuary that protects students or others using its facilities or grounds from laws to which other citizens are subject. This applies to criminal
laws regarding the sale, use, and possession of drugs as well as to all other laws.

The University Police Department will investigate whenever it has reason to believe illegal drugs are being sold or used on the campus. The department, pursuant to University policy, will make arrests of any individuals on campus or in the adjacent neighborhood under jurisdiction of University Police where it has sufficient evidence of violations of any applicable drug laws. Normal circumstances under which the department will make arrests for drug abuse are upon direct firsthand knowledge of a law violation taking place, upon the signed complaint of an individual, or upon sufficient evidence of law violation to obtain a search warrant. The University also provides continuing education and counseling on the legal, medical, and social aspects of drug abuse.