Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish the standards for drug and alcohol use to ensure compliance with federal, state, and city laws and to promote the health and well-being of the Rhode Island School of Design ("RISD") community.
Scope
This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students and guests on and in any RISD property, or attending any RISD-sanctioned event.
Policy
RISD Política de drogas y alcohol - Español
RISD Política de Álcool e Drogas - Português
Rhode Island School of Design is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy community that supports the academic mission of the College. In keeping with this commitment, RISD permits the use of alcohol or drugs within its community only in a manner that is legal, responsible, and consistent with the expectations outlined in this policy. Further, RISD makes available information and resources so that its community members are positioned to assist anyone whose personal well-being may be at risk.
Standards of Conduct
RISD prohibits the unlawful use, possession, distribution, dispensation, and manufacture of controlled substances, other illicit drugs, and alcohol in the workplace, classroom, and studio, at any other location owned, leased, or being used by RISD and in connection with any RISD-sponsored activities. For guidelines for alcohol use in residence halls, please consult the Residence Life Policies page found at: https://students.risd.edu/living-risd/residence-life/policies
RISD further prohibits even the lawful service and use of alcohol on the RISD campus and at any other location owned, leased, or being used by RISD unless such service and use has been pre-authorized under RISD’s Guidelines for the Service and Consumption of Alcohol on Campus found in RISD's Catering and Entertainment Policy under the Related Policies section.
RISD prohibits employees to be under the influence of illegal drugs or engage in the unlawful use of controlled substances when at the workplace including when alcohol and controlled substances, including legally obtained prescription drugs, are used in a manner while off duty that impairs on-duty work performance, or in a manner while in attendance at an official College function or at an authorized College site that adversely affects the performance of the employee or may adversely affect the health or safety of any other person. Employees are required to promptly report acts of suspected unlawful drug use or possession occurring in the Workplace to their supervisor, manager or Human Resources. Further, employees must, as a condition of employment, notify their immediate supervisor or their HR Partner or humres@risd.edu of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace within five (5) days of the conviction.
The unauthorized purchase, manufacture, distribution, possession, sale, storage, or use of an illegal drug or controlled substance while on duty, while in or on premises or property owned or controlled by the College, or while in vehicles used for College business is prohibited.
Procedures
POLICY SANCTIONS
RISD reserves the right to review alleged violations of this policy in conjunction with other appropriate offices and under other applicable College policies and procedures, including but not limited to those listed under Related Policies. Failure to comply with this policy and other Related Policies is subject to disciplinary action and sanctions per applicable disciplinary procedures.
An employee who violates this policy will be subject to the full range of discipline available under the applicable RISD policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreements, up to and including termination, and may also be referred for criminal prosecution.
A student who violates this policy will be subject to the full range of discipline available under RISD’s Code of Student Conduct under the Related Policies section, up to and including expulsion, and may also be referred for criminal prosecution. RISD may also notify the student’s parents or guardians of the violation as permitted under FERPA and RISD Policy.
Legal Sanctions
The use, possession, distribution, dispensation, and manufacture of controlled substances, other illicit drugs, and alcohol are also prohibited under a variety of federal and Rhode Island criminal statutes. The penalties for violations of these statutes can, among other things, include mandatory drug or alcohol counseling or treatment, community service, suspension or loss of a driver’s license, fines, asset forfeiture, and imprisonment.
For information on federal drug trafficking sanctions, see the United States Drug Enforcement Administration: https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/drug_of_abuse.pdf#page=30.
For information on Rhode Island alcohol and drug laws and potential sanctions, see http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE21/21-28.2/INDEX.HTM and http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-27/INDEX.HTM.
For information on local drug and alcohol ordinances in Providence, Rhode Island, see https://library.municode.com/ri/providence/codes/code_of_ordinances and Bristol, Rhode Island, see https://library.municode.com/ri/bristol/codes/code_of_ordinances.
Listed below are examples of some state laws and potential sanctions:
Alcohol
RIGL § 3-8-10. Possession of alcoholic beverage by underage persons.
- 30 hours of community service
- 60-day suspension of driver’s license
- For a first offense, fine ranging from $150-$750
- For a second offense, fine ranging from $300-$750 and possible mandated substance abuse assessment by a licensed substance abuse professional
- For a third offense, fine ranging from $450-$950
RIGL § 3-8-11.1. Furnishing or procurement of alcoholic beverages for underage persons.
- Fine ranging from $350-$1,000
- Imprisonment not exceeding 6 months
RIGL § 3-8-6. Unlawful drinking and misrepresentation by underage persons – Identification cards for person twenty-one and older.
- For a first offense, fine ranging from $100-$500; 30 hours community service; possible suspension of driver’s license for 30 days
- For a second offense, fine ranging from $500-$750; 40 hours community service; possible suspension of driver’s license for 3 months
- For a third offense, fine ranging from $750-$1000; 50 hours community service; possible suspension of driver’s license for one year
Controlled Substances
RIGL § 21-28-4.01. Except as authorized by this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.
- For a controlled substance, classified in schedule I or II, imprisonment for not more than 30 years; or fine ranging from $3,000-$100,000; or both
- For a controlled substance, classified in schedule III or IV, imprisonment for not more than 20 years; or fine up $40,000; or both
- For a controlled substance, classified in schedule V, imprisonment for not more than one year; or fine up $10,000; or both
- For a controlled substance classified in schedules I, II and III, and IV and V in the absence of a valid prescription, imprisonment for not more than three years, or fined up to $5,000; or both.
Required Notification of Convictions
It is a condition of employment at RISD that any employee who is convicted of violating a criminal drug statute in the workplace must notify their immediate supervisor and their HR Partner or humres@risd.edu within five (5) days of the conviction.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
Confidential assessments, counseling, and referrals to community resources are available from the following:
For employees: Coastline EAP, RISD’s employee assistance program provider, by phone at 1-800-445-1191 and on the web at CoastlineEAP.com (see Employee Assistance Program for additional contact information).
For students: Health Services, located at 72 Pine Street, Second floor, Providence, RI 02903. Students can also call 401 454-6625 or email health@risd.edu.
For emergencies, the Office of Public Safety operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Public Safety can be contacted to report an allegation of this Policy. In the event of a medical or other emergency, Public Safety is available to respond. Public Safety is located at South Hall, 30 Waterman Street, Providence, RI 02903. Individuals may call public safety 24/7 at the emergency line at 401-454-6666 or email pubsafe@risd.edu.
Health Risks Associated with the Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol and drugs can alter a person’s thinking and judgment, and can lead to health risks, including addiction, drugged driving, infectious disease, and adverse effects on pregnancy. Information on commonly used drugs with the potential for misuse or addiction and the associated health risks can be found at https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/commonly-used-drugs-charts.
The following information on health risks associated with the use of alcohol is from What Works: Schools Without Drugs (U. S. Department of Education 1992):
"Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse. Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects just described.
Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.
Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics."
Outlined below is a listing of drugs and their health risks taken from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website. A more complete and detailed accounting may be found on their website at https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/.
- Narcotics/Opioids. Narcotics/Opioids (including heroin, morphine, hydrocodone,
oxycodone, codeine, fentanyl, and others) have a potential for both physical and psychological dependence. The possible effects of using narcotics/opioids include pain relief, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, and nausea. Overdose may result in slowed breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, extreme drowsiness, and death. Withdrawal may include irritability, tremors, severe depression, nausea, chills, and sweating.
- Other Depressants. Other depressants (including Valium, Xanax, Ambien, and barbiturates) have a potential for both physical and psychological dependence as well as tolerance. The possible effects include anxiety relief, slurred speech, impaired mental functioning, loss of motor coordination, and impaired memory. Substance Use Disorder Prevention MAPP 06.04.02 Overdose may result in coma and possible death. Withdrawal may be life-threatening.
- Stimulants. Stimulants (including Adderall, cocaine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate) have a potential for rapidly developed tolerance and psychological dependence. The possible side effects include a euphoric “rush, “extended wakefulness, decreased appetite, agitation, panic, flushed skin, and palpitations. Overdose may result in high fever, convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, and possible death. Withdrawal may result in depression, anxiety, and extreme fatigue.
- Hallucinogens. Hallucinogens come in a variety of forms (including MDMA or liquid ecstasy, LSD, psilocybin-containing mushrooms, and others) and may have limited effects on the body, including elevated heart rate, dilated pupils and often vomiting. Possible effects on the mind include perceptual distortion and after weeks or months, users may develop Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD). Overdose may result in fear, paranoia, respiratory depression and death due to respiratory arrest.
- Cannabis. Cannabis includes marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and hashish or hashish oil. All may result in short and long-term effects on the mind and body. Possible effects include but are not limited to disinhibition, increased appetite, disorientation, and enhanced sensory perception. Withdrawal may occasionally result in sleep difficulties, irritability, and decreased appetite.
- Anabolic Steroids. Anabolic Steroids (including testosterone and others) may result in psychological dependence. A wide range of adverse effects on the body depend on several factors, including age, sex, the anabolic steroid used, amount used and duration of use. Possible effects may include virilization, fluid retention, shrinkage of the testicles, acne, and increased risk of coronary artery disease, strokes and heart attacks. Effects of overdose are unknown. Withdrawal may possibly include depression.
- Inhalants. Inhalants are substances common in household products that produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled to induce psychoactive effects. They are abused by sniffing, bagging or huffing, and possible effects may include damage to parts of the brain, headache, impaired memory, slurred speech, lack of coordination and organ damage. There is a common link between inhalant use and problems in school. Overdose may result in loss of consciousness, asphyxiation and possible death. Withdrawal may result in agitation, trembling, anxiety, insomnia, vitamin deficiency, confusion, hallucinations, and convulsions.
Related policies
Revision history
This policy was last reviewed/modified on: 12/22/2025
Next scheduled review: 12/22/2026
Responsibilities
Issuing Office
Human Resources
Responsible Officer
Vice President, Human Resources
Vice President, Student Life
Individuals/offices required for review and changes
Director, Employment
Office of the General Counsel