Skip to Main Content ↓
I Am
Search
University Police

What You Need to Know

Use the following information to educate yourself about drugs and alcohol, including laws, campus regulations, and was to get assistance.

Facts about Alcohol

Be in the know about alcohol consumption:

  • Alcohol is a drug.
  • Alcohol is the most commonly used intoxicating substance in the United States. Generally adults who drink alcoholic beverages do so without experiencing significant problems. However, alcohol abuse is a major problem for 10 to 15 percent of those who drink. Reduced levels of health and life expectancy are common among alcohol abusers. In addition, an issue of growing concern on college campuses is the relationship of alcohol to violence, especially sexual assault.
  • A recent study at a Big Ten university found that approximately 80 percent of the men and 70 percent of the women involved in incidents of sexual assault had been drinking when the assault occurred.
  • A conviction from an alcohol-related offense may affect future employment opportunities.
  • In the past several years, convictions for alcohol-related offenses, especially driving offenses, have had a serious, negative impact on the ability of recent graduates to get the jobs they want. Many students convicted of driving while intoxicated have been forced to settle for lower salaries at less prestigious companies. Conviction records for misdemeanors and infractions also may influence one’s ability to be bonded or to enter a licensed profession. Admission to graduate or professional school may also be affected. It is common for credit and other reporting agencies to record such information in their files. In addition, once convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI, with a 0.08 percent or higher blood-alcohol concentration), a person must file proof of financial responsibility (usually insurance) with the state for a period of three years. This means that the insurance company must be notified of a conviction before the driver’s license is returned. It is not unusual for insurance rates to triple after a DWI conviction. (Alcohol-Drug Information Center, Indiana University, 1990)

Indiana State Laws Concerning Drinking

All Purdue Fort Wayne students are responsible for complying with local, state, and federal laws regarding alcohol. The following information regarding Indiana law is current as of publication and is not intended to substitute for legal advice.

Alcohol Violations and Penalties

Class C Infraction (up to $500 fine and loss of minor’s driver’s license)

It includes:

  • Misrepresentation of age for the purpose of purchasing alcoholic beverages
  • A person 21 or older who encourages, aids, or induces a minor to possess or use an alcoholic beverage

Class C Misdemeanors (imprisonment for up to 60 days and fine of up to $500)

It includes:

  • Illegal possession of alcohol by a person younger than 21 years of age who knowingly (1) possesses an alcoholic beverage, (2) consumes it, or (3) transports it on a public highway when not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
  • To sell, barter, exchange, provide, or furnish an alcoholic beverage to a minor
  • A person younger than 21 years of age present in a tavern, bar, or other public place where alcoholic beverages are available (in addition to the misdemeanor, a minor’s license may be revoked for up to one year even if ID was not used)

Fake ID cards

Under certain circumstances, local prosecutors have used the criminal code rather than the alcoholic-beverage code to prosecute users of fake IDs. Misdemeanor charges of deception and felony charges of forgery have been filed. Also under federal law, possession or use of fake or altered driver’s licenses, or state or federal ID cards, can be punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or a five-year jail term.

Alcohol or Drug—Impaired Driving

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while impaired—even at blood-alcohol levels below 0.10 percent. Anyone operating a motor vehicle within the state gives implied consent to submit to a chemical test of intoxication (breath, blood, or urine). Failure to submit to the test may be used as evidence in court and will result in a longer driver’s-license suspension than if the test were administered and failed. Criminal sanctions for alcohol- and other drug-impaired driving include fines, imprisonment, and license suspensions, and can include mandatory education or treatment programs.

Open Container While Operating a Motor Vehicle

The operator of a motor vehicle who has at least 0.04 percent by weight of alcohol in the blood, and who, while the motor vehicle is in operation, knowingly allows a container to be in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle that (1) has been opened, that (2) has a broken seal, or (3) from which some of the contents have been removed commits a Class B infraction. If a person is found to have a previous unrelated judgment under this section or a previous unrelated conviction or judgment under IC 9-30-5 within 12 months before a violation that results in a judgment under this chapter, the court may recommend the person’s driving privileges be suspended for not more than one year.

Consumption of Alcoholic Beverage while Operating a Motor Vehicle

The operator of a motor vehicle who knowingly consumes an alcoholic beverage while the motor vehicle is being operated upon a public highway commits a Class B infraction.

Indiana State and Federal Laws That Address Other Drugs

Drugs other than alcohol can also create legal risks for college students. The Controlled Substance Act regulates drugs that have been declared by the attorney general to have abuse potential. Such drugs include marijuana, hashish or hash oil, cocaine, LSD and other hallucinogens, barbiturates and other sedative-hypnotics, amphetamines and other prescription stimulants, MDMA (ecstasy), and PCP and similar drugs.

It is illegal under both state and federal law (Controlled Substances Act) to commit the following acts:

  • Deal (sell), manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use an illegal drug or controlled substance
  • Encourage, aid, or induce another person to deal, manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use an illegal drug or controlled substance

Penalties for the violations cited above vary depending upon the substance (drug), the quantity of the substance, the number of violations related to the offense, and the schedule of the controlled substance.

Purdue Fort Wayne Regulations on Alcohol and Other Drugs

Our regulations state that the use, possession, or distribution of narcotics or dangerous drugs is prohibited, except as expressly permitted by the laws of the State of Indiana. Purdue Fort Wayne regulations prohibit the possession or use of alcoholic beverages in or on university property, regardless of the person’s age.

Any student suspected of being in violation of these regulations may be subject to disciplinary proceedings conducted by the Dean of Students. Students who are found guilty may be subject to the following disciplinary sanctions: reprimand and warning, disciplinary probation, restitution, participation in a certain program, provision of a certain service, suspension, and expulsion.

Note: When appropriate, referral for prosecution under local, state, and federal law may occur. Indiana state law allows Purdue Fort Wayne to investigate and act on any suspicion of violation of local, state, or federal law. The university may also investigate and take action in incidents occurring in states other than Indiana.

Possible Health Consequences of Alcohol and Other Drug Uses

Ethyl alcohol is the active drug found in alcoholic beverages. Alcohol has a depressant effect on the body. In addition, at intoxicating doses, alcohol can decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure and respiration rate, and result in decreased reflex responses and slower reaction time.

Purdue Fort Wayne Efforts

Alcohol and other drug use is fundamentally an issue of individual student choice. Purdue Fort Wayne has a Substance Abuse Council whose members are working to address the issues of alcohol and other drugs. In addition, staff members have represented the university on community councils examining these concerns. Services to assist students are available in the Dean of Students office, 260-481-6601.

Assisting Agencies

The following agencies offer a variety of help:

  • Al-Anon: 260-471-6262
  • Alcohol/Drug Helpline (24-hour assistance): 800-234-0420
  • Alcoholics Anonymous: 260-471-6262
  • Alternatives: 260-424-3838
  • Associated Psychiatric Services: 260-490-8110
  • Center for Behavioral Health: 260-420-6010
  • Charter Beacon Behavioral Health System: 260-423-3651
  • Choicemakers Counseling Services: 260-485-0568
  • CleanSlate Addiction Treatment Centers: 260-267-9498
  • Family and Children's Services: 260-744-4326
  • Fort Wayne Recovery (24-hour assistance): 833-762-3739
  • Lucina Treatment Center: 260-267-5159
  • Lutheran Health Network Behavioral Health: 260-425-3606 or 800-694-9034
  • Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana: 260-422-6441
  • Narcotics Abuse Helpline/Treatment: 800-234-0420
  • Narcotics Anonymous: 260-460-4626
  • Park Center Inc.: 260-481-2700
  • Parkview Behavioral Health Helpline (24-hour assistance): 260-373-7500 or 800-284-8439
  • Shepherd’s House: 260-424-2500
  • Psychodrama Training / Counseling Center: 260-749-7744
  • Switchboard Crisis Hotline: 260-456-4561
  • Washington House: 260-432-8684
  • Wise Choices: 260-482-2586

Purdue Fort Wayne recognizes that the ultimate responsibility for conduct remains with the individual student. The goal of the university is to facilitate responsibility through the prevention policy presented in this document and to impose the described sanctions upon those who choose to violate the regulations.