State and Federal Alcohol and Drug Laws
State Law
Connecticut has enacted laws that prohibit the sale, gift, offer, and illegal possession of various types of drugs. These state laws mandate minimum prison sentences, including five years for the manufacture, distribution, sale, gift, offer, or possession with intent to sell any of the following by a non-drug dependent person:
- one ounce or more of heroin, methadone, or cocaine;
- one-half gram or more of cocaine in a free-base form;
- five milligrams or more of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);
- any narcotic, hallucinogenic, or amphetamine-type substance (for first-time offenders);
- one kilogram or more of cannabis-type substance, including marijuana (for first-time offenders).
A conviction of any of the aforementioned offenses involving a minor or occurring within close proximity to an elementary or secondary school, housing project, or day care center elicits even harsher sanctions. These penalties include mandatory sentences in addition to the above mandatory sentences:
- Two years for the distribution, sale, offer, or gift of any controlled substance to a person under 18 years of age, as long as the provider is at least two years older than the recipient;
- Three years for the manufacture, distribution, sale, transport, possession with intent to sell, dispensation, offer, or gift of any controlled substance within 1,500 feet of an elementary school, housing project, or day care center;
- Three years for employing, hiring, using, persuading, inducing, enticing, or coercing a person under 18 years of age to violate a drug-related statute.
In addition to the aforementioned laws regarding the manufacture and distribution of drugs, Connecticut has enacted strict penalties for the illegal possession of drugs. First-time offenders may be sentenced up to seven years in prison and/or fined not more than $50,000 for the possession of any quantity of a narcotic, including cocaine, morphine, or heroin. Possession of any quantity of a hallucinogen, such as LSD, or of four ounces or more of marijuana, may result in a sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine. One year in prison and/or a $1,000 fine is authorized for the possession of less than four ounces of marijuana or any quantity of other controlled substances, such as amphetamines or barbiturates.
A conviction for the possession of drugs within 1,500 feet of an elementary or secondary school or day care center will result in three years of imprisonment. This penalty is in addition to any other penalties and consecutive to any other terms of imprisonment that may be imposed.
Connecticut has also enacted laws regarding the distribution, possession, and consumption of alcohol. One such law prohibits the sale, shipment, delivery, or gift of alcoholic liquor to a minor. The penalty for this crime includes up to 18 months in prison and/or a fine of not more than $1,500. Any person who induces a minor to procure alcohol from an authorized seller of alcohol faces up to one year imprisonment and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000. Furthermore, a fine of between $200 and $500 and/or 30 days imprisonment may be imposed for using a fake or altered personal identification, using another person's identification, or making a false statement in connection with the attempt to purchase alcohol. Any minor who possesses alcohol in a public place may be fined between $200 and $500, unless that minor is accompanied by a guardian or spouse at the time of possession or possesses the alcohol by order of a physician.
Connecticut has also enacted drunk driving laws that are strictly enforced. Individuals may not operate a vehicle when they are under the influence of any drug or alcohol. A person may be convicted if he operates a motor vehicle while having an "elevated blood alcohol content," which means a ratio of alcohol in the blood of .08% or higher, by weight. A first conviction for driving under the influence mandates a fine of between $500 and $1,000, imprisonment of between 48 hours and 6 months, of which 48 hours is a mandatory minimum, and suspension of driving privileges for one year. Subsequent conviction of driving under the influence within 10 years after a prior conviction for the same offense could result in fines of between $1,000 and $4,000, imprisonment of 120 days to two years, of which 120 days is a mandatory minimum, and suspension of driving privileges for three years.
Laws are constantly enacted and revised. Recent revisions and additions to the Connecticut General Statutes may be found online at www.cslib.org/psaindex.htm. Students should refer to this resource, as well as the Connecticut General Statutes, for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Federal Law
The United States has enacted drug trafficking laws and penalties, which are contained in Title 21 of the United States Code. These laws impose sanctions (outlined below) for the manufacture, distribution, possession with intent to manufacture or distribute, and simple possession of drugs.
These penalties may be doubled when any of the aforementioned acts are committed within 1,000 feet of an elementary, secondary, or vocational school; a college, junior college, or university; or a playground or public housing facility. The penalties may be doubled if the act is committed within 100 feet of a youth center, public swimming pool, or video arcade. Penalties may also be doubled when an individual over the age of 18 distributes drugs to a person under 21; employs, uses, induces, or coerces a person under 18 to violate federal drug laws or to assist the individual to avoid detection for his own violations of federal drug laws; or receives drugs from a person under 18 who is not an immediate family member.
Penalties may be tripled if an individual over 21 years of age coerces a person under 18 to distribute, possess with intent to distribute or manufacture, or assist the individual to do the same, a drug within 1,000 feet of an elementary, secondary, or vocational school; a college, junior college, or university or playground or public housing facility. Penalties may be tripled if the act is committed within 100 feet of a youth center, public swimming pool, or video arcade.
Distribution of a drug by one who is over 18 to a person under 18 can result in a prison sentence of up to five years and/or a fine of not more than $50,000. Finally, conspiracy to commit any of the above drug-related offenses carries the same penalties regardless of whether the conspiracy is successful.
Updates regarding federal drug trafficking laws can be found at the Drug Enforcement Agency's website at www.usdoj.gov/dea/index.htm.
Finding Help with Regard to Alcohol, Drugs, Eating Disorders, or Gambling
There are many resources where students can seek help. Following is a list of University offices and other organizations that can help students with questions about or problems with alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, and gambling.
