1. Policy
Issued: 2/7/2019
Last Revised: 2/7/2019
Last Reviewed: 10/14/2025
Applies to: Students who are registered or enrolled in University classes or in one of the University’s degree or non-degree programs (“Students”) and Faculty (including part-time, adjunct and visiting faculty), postdoctoral scholars, staff and students (including graduate/undergraduate student workers and graduate assistants) employed by University of Southern California (“USC“ or the “University“) and including those working for the University’s health system (“USC Employees”). This policy continues to apply to individuals who are on sabbatical or other leaves, or who are visiting other institutions.
2. Policy Purpose
The Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, as amended in 1989 (Public Law 101-226, 20 U.S.C. § 1011i), require all federal grant recipients to certify a drug-free environment.
3. Scope and Application
It is the policy of the University of Southern California (USC) to comply with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 and its amendments (DFSCA). The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act require USC to adopt and put into effect policies and programs to prevent the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of illegal drugs or alcohol by students and employees on USC property, at USC-sponsored activities or events, and to offer anti‐drug and alcohol abuse programming. These federal regulations also require USC to distribute information to students and employees annually, which outlines the following:
- The health risks associated with alcohol and drug use and abuse;
- Alcohol and drug abuse resources for students and employees;
- Policies on alcohol and other drugs;
- Information on state, municipal and federal laws and sanctions; and
- Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of its on-campus or off-campus activities. Non-compliance with these policies may result in discipline up to and including termination and expulsion (see section 9 for more information on related policies).
Additionally, USC conducts a biennial review to determine the effectiveness of the program and consistency of sanction enforcement, to identify and implement any necessary changes. Anyone receiving funding from federal sources should carefully read the section on “Special requirements for those working on or with federal contracts and grants.”
4. Definitions
N/A
5. Policy Details
Introduction
USC recognizes that illegal or abusive use of alcohol and other drugs by members of the university community has a detrimental effect on the university’s commitment to provide continual excellence in teaching, research, and education. Misuse of drugs by students, faculty, and staff members poses hazards both to the individual involved and to the community. Students, faculty, and staff share the responsibility for creating attitudes conducive to eliminating the abuse of alcohol and other drugs within the university community.
USC’s comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse emphasizes:
- Taking effective steps to create and maintain a drug-free workplace and educational environment for students, faculty, and staff.
- Providing continuous access to medical and behavioral healthcare services, along with referrals to off-campus treatment facilities as appropriate.
- Engaging in a robust health promotion process that includes reorienting all sectors towards prevention, the development of personal skills, and systemic environmental management.
- Encouraging individuals who are diagnosed with at-risk substance abuse disorder or are otherwise experiencing problems associated with alcohol and other drugs to seek assessment and treatment.
- Engaging in ongoing self-assessment of university sanctions for the illegal manufacture, distribution, use, or possession of drugs and the unlawful possession or use of alcohol. (See “Sanctions” section of this policy for an overview of possible university and criminal sanctions.)
Health risks associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs
General health risks
Many well-documented risks are associated with alcohol and other drugs, affecting not only the individual user but also the user’s family, friends, and communities. Alcohol and other drugs are frequently implicated in cases of sexual misconduct on campus, for example, and misuse is sometimes a factor in other violent behavior. Problems associated with alcohol and other drugs include impaired brain function; poor academic or job performance; relationship difficulties, including sexual dysfunction; a tendency to verbal and physical violence; financial distress; injuries or accidents; violations of the law, such as driving under the influence; willfully destroying property; and death.
The following summaries describe some of the additional substance-specific risks associated with the use and misuse of alcohol and other substances.
Alcohol
A standard drink is equal to 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. wine, or 1.5 oz. liquor. For men, at-risk alcohol consumption is drinking more than five standard drinks on any day, or more than 15 drinks per week. For women, at-risk drinking is drinking more than four drinks on any day or more than eight drinks a week. While any alcohol use has the potential to contribute to problems (e.g., alcohol use impairs brain function and motor skills even when not legally drunk), studies show that certain “at-risk” drinking patterns are associated with an increased likelihood of negative outcomes.
At-risk drinking can cause poor performance in school or at work, accidents, injuries, arguments, legal problems (including DUI), strained relationships, undesirable or even dangerous sex, and verbal or physical violence, including the perpetration of sexual assault. At-risk and other risky patterns of alcohol consumption also contribute to sleep problems, prolonged intoxication, aka hangovers, cancer, liver disease, stroke, depression, anxiety, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Alcohol Dependence.
Alcohol consumption is involved in the majority of violent acts on campuses, including sexual assault, vandalism, fights, and accidents involving cars, pedestrians, and bicycles.
THC and other cannabinoids
THC is the primary mind-altering chemical from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. THC is found in marijuana as well as concentrated THC extracts and resins. THC is stored in the body’s fat cells and can remain in the body for a few days to approximately two months. Short-term use impairs or distorts short-term memory and comprehension, alters the user’s sense of time, and reduces coordination.
Physical effects of use include breathing problems, increased heart rate, problems with child development during and after pregnancy, and, with chronic use, intense nausea and vomiting. Long-term marijuana use has been linked to impaired brain development in adolescents and mental illness in some people, such as temporary hallucinations, temporary paranoia, and long-lasting mental disorders, including schizophrenia. The association between cannabis and schizophrenia is stronger in people who start using cannabis at an earlier age and use it more frequently.
Cocaine (crack and other stimulants)
The immediate effects of cocaine use include dilated pupils and increased blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate, followed by a crash when the drug wears off. Over the longer term, cocaine users often have nasal passage and nasal septum problems. There is a high rate of addiction among users.
Hallucinogens (LSD, mescaline, psilocybin)
Hallucinogens cause illusions and distortions of time and perception. The user may experience episodes of panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. Flashbacks can occur even after use has stopped. PCP or phencyclidine has been shown to produce violent behaviors, which can lead to injuries to the user or a bystander.
Heroin (other opioids)
Heroin causes the body to experience diminished pain. If injected, it can result in blood vessel damage and the transmission of infections such as hepatitis and HIV (if needles are shared). There is a high rate of addiction among users.
Tobacco (cigarettes, chew, and other products)
Tobacco use has been proven not only to be addictive but to have serious, well-documented health consequences. While many people, particularly students, look to smoking as a way of reducing stress, it should be remembered that there is no comparison between the stress of facing emphysema or lung cancer and the stress of preparing for midterms. There is a high rate of addiction among users.
USC resources for faculty and staff
Trojans Care for Trojans is an initiative within the Office of Campus Support and Intervention that empowers USC students, faculty, and staff to take action when they are concerned about a fellow Trojan challenged with personal difficulties. For more information, contact Campus Support and Intervention at (213) 740-0411 or visit their website: https://campussupport.usc.edu/tc4t/
The USC Workwell Center provides no-cost education, information, assessments, referrals, and treatment for all faculty and staff (including hospital staff) and their dependent family members.
(213) 821-0800. https://workwell.usc.edu/
USC employees can find additional recovery resources at the bottom of the ONE Safety USC website.
USC resources for students
Trojans Care for Trojans is an initiative within the Office of Campus Support and Intervention that empowers USC students, faculty, and staff to take action when they are concerned about a fellow Trojan challenged with personal difficulties. For more information, contact Campus Support and Intervention at (213) 740-0411 or visit their website: https://campussupport.usc.edu/tc4t/
BASICS and CASICS assist you in examining your alcohol, cannabis, and other drug use behavior in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational manner to reduce risky behavior and harmful consequences. These services are available at The Haven at College.
866-883-7236. See http://www.thehavenatcollege.com/usc-basicscasics/
AlcoholEdu for College – whether or not you decide to drink alcohol while you are at USC, AlcoholEdu for College will assist you in making well-informed decisions and responding to the possible drinking-related behavior of your peers. Please note that incoming undergraduate students are required to complete USC’s AlcoholEdu for College and pass the final exam even if they have done so at another institution. To learn more about the course, completion deadlines and access information, please visit: https://sites.usc.edu/pems/alcohol-edu-for-college/
USC Student Health
- Counseling and Mental Health, for individual and group counseling, substance abuse support groups, and referrals to treatment off campus
- Primary Care Clinics, for medical assessments and referrals: https://studenthealth.usc.edu/
- To make an appointment:
(213) 740-9355
https://studenthealth.usc.edu/myshr/
Additional resources
Alcoholics Anonymous
www.lacoaa.org/
English (323) 936-4343
en Español (323) 750-2039
Al-Anon
www.alanonla.org
(818) 547-3027
Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.adultchildren.org
(310) 534-1815
Cocaine Anonymous
www.ca4la.org/
(888) 714-8341
Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org/
Find the districts directory at https://marijuana-anonymous.org/service/districts/
Narcotics Anonymous
www.todayna.org/ (English)
www.todayna.org/todaynawp/espanol/ (Español)
English (800) 863-2962
en Español (888) 622-4692
National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency
www.ncadd-sfv.org/
(818) 997-0414
Drug Enforcement Agency Resource Guide 2024 Edition: Drugs of Abuse
https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/2024-Drugs-of-Abuse-508.pdf
Drug Enforcement Agency Resource: Campus Drug Prevention website https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov/
Drug Enforcement Agency List of Controlled Substances
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/orangebook/c_cs_alpha.pdf
Drug Enforcement Agency Drug Facts and Scheduling:
https://www.dea.gov/drug-scheduling
6. Procedures
7. Forms
N/A
8. Responsibilities
| POSITION or OFFICE | RESPONSIBILITIES |
|---|---|
| Division of Student Health | 1. Serve as the policy owner and provide oversight, implementation, and production of the biennial review and report. 2. Annually, I distribute AOD policies, risks, and treatment resources to students. 3. Conduct the biennial review to determine the effectiveness of AOD programs |
| USC Student Life | 1. Provide oversight, implementation, and production of the biennial review and report. 2. Annually, distribute AOD policies, risks, and treatment resources to students. 3. Assess the consistency of sanction enforcement for students |
| Human Resources, Equal Opportunity, and Compliance | 1. Provide oversight, implementation, and production of the biennial review and report. 2. Annually, distribute AOD policies, risks, and treatment resources to faculty and staff. 3. Assess the consistency of sanction enforcement for faculty and staff |
| Department of Public Safety | 1. Annually distribute AOD policies, risks, and treatment resources to faculty, staff, and students. |
9. Related Information
University policy on alcohol and other drugs for students
The USC Student Handbook has policies and disciplinary processes on possession, consumption, and distribution of alcohol and other drugs. (See USC Student Handbook pages 17, 18, and 20) ,
University policy on alcohol and other drugs for faculty
Disciplinary procedures for faculty are discussed in the Faculty Handbook.
University policy on alcohol and other drugs for staff
See Staff Disciplinary Practices policy.
Federal, state, and municipal law
The following provisions of federal, state, and municipal law serve as the foundation for USC’s policy on the unlawful use of alcohol, including university disciplinary action. (Note: this list is not a complete summary of relevant laws and ordinances.)
State and municipal laws and ordinances
- The purchase, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine) by any person under the age of 21 is prohibited.
- The selling, either directly or indirectly, of alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine) except under the authority of a California Alcoholic Beverage Control Board license is prohibited. This includes selling glasses, mixes, ice, tickets for admission, etc.
- The serving of alcohol to an intoxicated person is prohibited.
- The serving of alcohol to someone to the point of intoxication is prohibited.
- The manufacture, use or provision of a false state identification card, driver’s license, or certification of birth or baptism is prohibited.
- The act(s) of being drunk and disorderly in public view, including on public sidewalks and walkways, is prohibited.
- The consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public place (unless licensed for consumption of alcohol on the premises) is prohibited. This includes a prohibition of alcoholic beverages in public areas of academic facilities, recreation fields, university housing corridors and lounges.
- The act of driving a motor vehicle or a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol is prohibited.
- The possession of an alcoholic beverage in an open container in a motor vehicle or on a bicycle is prohibited regardless of who is driving or whether one is intoxicated.
State and federal criminal sanctions
The following is a summary of the state and federal criminal sanctions that may be imposed upon someone who violates the alcohol and other drug policy at USC or elsewhere in the state of California.
- A violation of California law for the unlawful sale of alcohol may include imprisonment in the county jail for six months, plus fines and penalties.
- A violation of California law for the use of alcohol by obviously intoxicated individuals will vary with the particular circumstances but may include imprisonment in the county jail and substantial fines and penalties. Additionally, minors who are arrested for violations concerning the use of alcohol run the risk of having their driving privileges suspended or revoked until they are 18.
- A violation of California law for the possession, use and/or sale of narcotics, marijuana and/or other illicit drugs includes imprisonment in the county jail or state prison for one to nine years, plus fines up to $100,000 for each count.
- A violation of federal law for the possession, use and/or sale of narcotics, marijuana and/or other illicit drugs may include imprisonment in the federal penitentiary for one to fifteen years plus substantial financial penalties.
- A violation of the law involving an individual being under the influence of a combination of alcohol and other drugs (itself potentially deadly), may result in an increase in criminal sanctions and penalties.
Actions taken for policy violations
Student involvement in illegal underage consumption of alcohol or the manufacture, use, possession, distribution, or sale of illicit drugs is illegal and against university policy and will subject a student involved in such activity to disciplinary action. Depending on the nature of the violation, university sanctions may include educational intervention, mandated community reparations, suspension, or expulsion. Information about the student USC disciplinary process can be found in the USC Student Handbook.
In addition to the sanctions imposed by the university, individuals who have violated state and federal law regarding possession, use, and/or distribution of alcohol and other drugs may be referred by the university to the appropriate authorities for arrest and prosecution.
When problems arise due to alcohol and other drug use and abuse, the university’s goal is to provide employees, whenever possible, with options for assessment, recommendations, counseling, referrals, and/or treatment. If a faculty or staff member violates university policy the individual may be subject to university disciplinary sanctions up to and including dismissal, in addition to federal, state, and municipal legal action and penalties. Thus, self-referral and early detection and referral are critical to the rehabilitation of employees. Disciplinary procedures for faculty are discussed in the USC Faculty Handbook; for staff, see the Staff Disciplinary Practices policy.
Smoke-free policy
To provide a safe and healthy environment for all of our faculty, staff and students, the university maintains a smoke-free policy. Questions regarding the smoke-free policy should be directed to Risk Management at (213) 740-6204.
Special requirements for those working on or with federal contracts and grants
The Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690, Title V, Subtitle D) and the State Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1990 require that university employees directly engaged in the performance of work on a federal or state contract or grant must abide by this policy as a condition of employment.
USC’s Department of Contracts and Grants must be notified within five calendar days if an employee working on a contract or grant supported by federal funds is convicted of any criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace or while on university business. The university is required to notify the federal contracting or granting agency within 10 calendar days of receiving notice of such conviction and to take appropriate corrective action or to require the employee to participate satisfactorily in available counseling, treatment and approved substance abuse assistance or rehabilitation programs within 30 calendar days of having received notice of such conviction.
10. Contacts
Please direct any questions regarding this policy to:
| OFFICE | PHONE | |
|---|---|---|
| Student Health | (213) 740-9355 |