Illinois Law, Alcohol Consumption and VictimizationIllinois law prohibits the sale or possession of alcoholic beverages to or by any person under the age of 21. The University discourages consumption of alcoholic beverages by underage individuals. Alcohol abuse is a major factor in crime and victimization.
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Driving Under the Influence
Blood-Alcohol Level (BAL) is the percent of alcohol present in the blood. It is illegal to operate a vehicle in Illinois with a BAL above .00 for drivers under age 21 and at/above .08 for drivers age 21 and over.
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It's not just another TEST, it's a self-test that tells you what it would take to put you over the legal limit. YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED. Take the Drink Wheel test.
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Drugs
The use, sale, production or distribution of any illegal drug and or possession of drug paraphernalia on University property is strictly prohibited. Those who violate the law risk criminal prosecution, a criminal record and potentially, exclusion from the University.
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Fake ID's
Many people view the possession of a fake ID as "No Big Deal." In fact, the State of Illinois views the possession of a fraudulent ID as a VERY big deal. The mere possession of an identification card or driver's license that purports an underage person to be over the age of 21, is a felony criminal offense in the State of Illinois.
The sale or manufacture of a fraudulent identification card or driver's license is a higher level felony offense and is aggressively investigated and prosecuted.
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University Police - EnforcementAs applicable, University community members are held accountable for their actions through State law, city ordinance and the student judicial systems: University Hearing and Appeals System (UHAS) and Sexual Assault Hearing and Appeals System (SAHAS).
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Binge Drinking
The term "binge drinking" has become a popular phrase used in recent years to describe the consumption of 5 or more alcoholic drinks (or 4 or more drinks for females) during the last 2 weeks within a sitting. A standard drink is typically defined as one 12-ounce bottle of beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Research suggests that students who consume 5 or more drinks in a short period of time are 2 - 5 times more likely to report a negative experience such as an academic problem, injury, violence, etc. They also are twice as likely to die from injuries than students who consume less. For additional information please see data published by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
For additional information please see data published by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
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DUI Facts
In Illinois in 2003
- 639 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes, which was 44 percent of the 1,453 total crash fatalities.
- More than 49,000 DUI arrests were recorded by the Secretary of State's office.
- 93 percent of all drivers arrested for DUI, who were eligible, lost their driving privileges.
- 2,863 drivers under age 21 lost their driving privileges due to "Use It & Lose It" law violations.
- 17 percent of those arrested for DUI are women, who represent 50 percent of all licensed drivers.
- Males ages 21-24 had the highest DUI arrest rate (27.6 per 1,000 licensed drivers). This rate was four times greater than that of all other drivers arrested for DUI (6 per 1,000).
- 83 percent of all drivers arrested for DUI are first offenders.
Source of DUI Facts, Illinois Secretary of State, "DUI Fact Book"
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If You Decide to Drink, Considerations
- Plan your drinking. Think about how much you want to drink before you drink. Remember that food, attitude and the environment affect your susceptibility to alcohol.
- Take care of yourself. Don't put yourself in a situation where other people might have to take care of you, as they might not be there.
- Be aware that alcohol and drugs compromise your awareness and your ability to identify and act on your feelings. They also increase the opportunity for victimization. Studies have shown that being under the influence of alcohol/drugs is a contributing factor in many date rapes.
- Be aware that drinking games put you at risk for binge drinking, since most games encourage drinking a lot in a short period of time.
- Don't ever force or pressure anyone to drink, or spike drinks. This is rude, harmful and could be fatal. Respect others' decision not to drink.
- Don't drink and drive. If you're in a group, designate a non-drinking driver who is responsible for getting everyone home safely.
- When socializing, pair up with other friends. Stick together and don't let a friend go off alone with someone they've just met.
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Know What to Do in an Alcohol EmergencyIf you're with someone who has had too much to drink, don't let the person drink more. Help the person avoid dangerous situations such as driving, wandering outside and sexual encounters. Drinking too much alcohol can result in serious medical problems. Do not allow the person to just "sleep it off". Call 911, and seek medical attention immediately. If the person is unconscious, put the person on his / her side to prevent choking if vomiting occurs. Stay with the person until help arrives.
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Counseling ResourcesIf you would like professional confidential counseling about alcohol and or drug usage and you are a Northwestern student, contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). If you are a faculty or staff member, contact Perspectives, the University employee assistance provider.
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University Alcohol and Drug PoliciesNorthwestern University fully supports Federal laws that require academic and working environments to be free from illicit drug and alcohol use. For further information you may consult the University's March, 1989 policy statement complying with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Student Handbook, and the booklet "University Policy on Drugs and Alcohol". Each outline legal penalties for the unlawful possession and use of drugs and alcohol and describe a variety of assistance programs for students and employees.
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