Drug and Alcohol Policies

Alcohol Edu Requirement

Alcohol Edu is a research-based, student-friendly, online alcohol education program designed to assist students in making healthy decisions regarding alcohol use in college. The program takes about two hours to complete and includes information on:

• Overview of key definitions
• Myths and misperceptions
• Alcohol and motivation
• Standard drink
• Blood alcohol concentration
• Key strategies for drinkers
• Key strategies for non-drinkers
• Bystander intervention skills
• Academic brain science
• Media literacy and expectations
• Alcohol and the law
• College, drinking and stress

Part one of the course takes about two hours to complete. All incoming first-year students and transfer students enrolled as an undergraduate must complete this by Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Please check your University email for a link (or button) to complete this assignment. 

Students who complete part one of the course will receive a separate email in the fall (October) notifying them to complete part two by Friday, October 27, 2023. 

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Policy

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 require Saint Louis University to certify that it has adopted and implemented drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs as a condition of receiving federal funds and financial assistance. As a Catholic Jesuit institution dedicated to the search for truth through education, and improving the temporal and spiritual well-being of all persons, Saint Louis University has had a long-standing policy of promoting a campus environment free from drug and alcohol abuse.

In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 and Saint Louis University’s Catholic Jesuit mission, this policy restates the University’s commitment to maintaining an environment that is free of impairment and conducive to the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual development of all persons.

Standards of Conduct

Saint Louis University prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, sale, possession or use of illicit drugs or alcohol on its premises or as part of any University activity. Conduct involving prescription drugs that have not been prescribed by a physician will be treated as a violation. This policy supplements and does not limit rules of conduct pertaining to alcohol or drugs which are published in other official University publications.

Overseas Programs/Sanctions

Students visiting foreign countries to attend academic programs overseas are reminded that they may be subject to arrest and legal sanctions for drug and alcohol offenses under the laws and regulations of that country or institution, in addition to the University sanctions described in the University Community Standards.

Alcohol Policy and Guidelines

The following Alcohol Policy and Guidelines set parameters within which alcohol use will reflect this increasing awareness of concern for us and each other:

• In observance of the laws of Missouri and local ordinances, no person under the age of 21 may purchase or attempt to purchase, or have in their possession, any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage on campus or at University activities.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages by those who are over 21 years of age, on campus, must follow Housing and Residence Life guidelines while in a residence hall, and is permitted only at those student events or locations that have been expressly approved by the Student Involvement Center and only in those locations for which the University has a license.
• University funds may not be used to pay for any portion of an event at which alcohol may be provided, served to or consumed by minors.
• Arrangements for food and beverages for on-campus events must be made with DineSLU, which has the responsibility for verifying the legality of persons seeking to purchase or obtain alcohol. No food or beverages may be brought to an event by an outside caterer except with special authorization.
• Monitoring and enforcing compliance with the policy and guidelines are the responsibility of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for outside events and the director/manager of the building for inside events. Compliance with the policy in the residence halls and University-owned/managed housing is the responsibility of the Director of Housing and Residence Life and the Residence Life staff.
• University departments and student organizations also may impose additional, more stringent restrictions on the use and distribution of alcohol by their members.
• As a Catholic Jesuit educational institution, Saint Louis University expects its students to develop a responsible philosophy on the appropriate use of alcoholic beverages. The University encourages students to consider all the implications of drinking and to arrive at a conscientious decision about how they will personally use alcohol.

Drugs Policy and Guidelines

Possession, use and distribution of stimulants, depressants, narcotics or hallucinogenic drugs, and other illegal agents having potential for abuse, except for a properly designated physician's or dentist's prescription, is forbidden by University policy and local, state and/or federal law. In addition, the abuse of legal substances may also be considered a violation of University policy, e.g. huffing nitrous oxide, whippits. Such use, possession and conduct are prohibited on Saint Louis University's premises, or as part of any University activity. Selling, bartering, exchanging or giving away such substances to any person is illegal and prohibited. Any Student engaged in such activity may be reported to law enforcement agents and will be subject to severe conduct action, including but not limited to suspension or dismissal. Please refer to section 2.7.13 of the University Community Standards for more information as to what constitutes a violation of the University’s drug policy.

Marijuana on Campus

In 2018, the State of Missouri legalized the medical use of marijuana (19 CSR 30-95). In November 2022, the State of Missouri passed a ballot initiative to amend the State Constitution to legalize the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacture and sale of marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of 21. However, the possession or use of marijuana remains an offense under the Controlled Substances Act, a federal law. Saint Louis University is obligated to comply with all federal laws and regulations. In order to remain in compliance, Saint Louis University will not permit the possession or use of marijuana on-campus, or at University-sponsored events, regardless of age, and will not permit the possession or use of marijuana at educational or other activities sponsored, conducted or authorized by Saint Louis University or its Student Organizations, whether on or off campus, in any on-campus housing, or in any other University buildings or other property. Any Student who uses or possesses marijuana on-campus, regardless of age, will be referred to the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will confiscate and dispose of any marijuana found on campus belonging to Students under the age of 21. The Department of Public Safety will confiscate marijuana found on campus belonging to Students over the age of 21 for a period of no longer than 48 hours. Students over the age of 21 may request to retrieve their marijuana from DPS during this time period insofar as they secure an off-campus location to store their marijuana. 

Saint Louis University prohibits the use, possession, manufacture, sale, cultivation, purchase with the intent to distribute, distribution of marijuana and other drugs, and storage of marijuana and other drugs by students, faculty, staff, and visitors on all of Saint Louis University’s campuses and properties and at all University-sponsored events.