Drugs and alcohol can cause physical and psychological dependence. They can interfere with memory, sensation, and perception. Drugs impair the brain's ability to synthesize information. Regular users of drugs develop tolerance and physical dependence, often evidenced by withdrawal symptoms. A user is psychologically-dependent when the drug is central to his or her life.
Alcohol abuse is linked to cancer, heart and liver damage.
The College encourages students and employees who use illegal drugs or who abuse alcohol to seek appropriate assistance. The College provides alcohol and drug abuse information, education, and counseling or referral services to help meet individual needs and to assist in times of crisis. The Counseling Center and the Student Health Center are available to all members of the College community for confidential alcohol or drug-related assistance, whether or not those members are covered under the College health insurance program. Members of the College community are urged to refer individuals troubled by illegal drug use or alcohol use problems to the Counseling Center, Student Health Center, director of personnel services or the appropriate dean or supervisor. Meeting take place away from work and are strictly confidential.