Drug Awareness
How Can Drugs Affect Me?
- Alters how your body and mind work, impacting your study habits.
- Create problems with family, friends, school and work.
- Puts you at risk of sexual assaults, which often occur when a person i under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Drug use is illegal! The consequences can lead to jail or prison.
Types of Drugs and Their Effects
- Rohypnol (date rape drug or "forget me pill"): Produces a drunk, relaxed feeling that lasts 2-8 hours.
- Ecstasy (MDMA): Effects last 4-6 hours and puts users at risk fo dehydration and hyperthermia.
- Ketamine (Special K): Looks like cocaine, a white powder substance that also comes in liquid form. Produces a catatonic effect, leading to impaired judgement and coordination.
- GHB (Liquid Ecstasy): Odorless and colorless; often combined with alcohol, the sedative effects can result in a coma.
- Cocaine & Crack (Coke, blow, rock, or base): Effects last 5-30 minutes and create feelings of depression when they wear down.
- Marijuana (Pot, weed, herb, ganja): Long-term effects include memory loss and learning difficulties.
- Heroin (Smack, dope, junk, brown sugar, thunder, big H, horse): Effects last about 15 minutes, followed by several hours of being drowsy; dangers of shooting up include Hepatitis C, collapsed veins, HIV and AIDS.
- Inhalants (Huff, rush, poppers): Cause headaches, hallucinations, violent behavior, and loss of control of bladder and bowels.
- Methamphetamine (Crystal meth, crank, glass, and ice): Crystal-like powder, usually white or yellow, can also come in rock form. Short-term effects are increased activity level, suppressed appetite; long-term effects are depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression, insomnia, and hallucinations.
If Someone Overdoses on Drugs...
- Watch out for the signs: abnormal breathing, slurred speech, lack of coordination, big or small pupils and unconsciousness.
- Notify UTEP Police Department at 747-5611 or call 911 immediately.
- If a person suddenly becomes hostile or violent, be careful. Call police immediately.
Make the Right Choice, Avoid Peer Pressure
- Your best chance to avoid addiction is not to use drugs, and avoid situations that present problems.
- If someone offers you drugs, say "NO" clear and confirm.
- Walk away: No one can make you do something you don't want to.
- Remember, choosing not to do drugs keeps you in control of your mind, your body, and your future.
Quick Facts (National Statistics)
- 3.8% of college students have used cocaine.
- 6.3% of college students have used amphetamines.
- 6% of college students have used designer drugs.
- 0.7% of college students have used steroids.
Who to Call for Help
- UTEP Police Department
- utep.edu/police
- police@utep.edu
(915) 747-5611
- UTEP Dean of Students Office
- utep.edu/dos
- dos@utep.edu
- (915) 747-5648
- Counseling and Psychological Services
- utep.edu/counsel
- caps@utep.edu
- (915) 747-5302
- El Paso Police Department
- 911 (for emergencies)
- (915) 832-4400 (for non-emergency assistance)
- Miners After Hours Crisis Line
(915)747-5302 - El Paso County Sheriff's Department
- (915) 546-2280
- Addiction Hotline Resource Center
- 1 (877) 235-0400
The University of Texas at El Paso Collegiate Recovery Program is dedicated to maintaining a supportive community for students in recovery and in hope of recovery from substance and behavior addictions. CRP emphasizes establishing an inclusive environment for students at any stage of recovery or as allies to foster opportunities for excellence personally and academically. The program engages students who have been affected by addictions as well as students, staff, faculty, and community members who are allies to create a recovery-friendly campus at UTEP.
Drug Free University Community and Workplace
In accordance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, an annual notice is sent to all faculty, staff and students that 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 University, or while in vehicles used for University business is prohibited.
UT System & UTEP Policy
The University enforces all state and federal laws that prohibit the possession or sale of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia and complies with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1990: Any student who is guilty of the illegal use, possession and/or sale of a drug or narcotic, including any amount of marijuana, on the campus is subject to University discipline in addition to possible criminal prosecution by civil authorities. If a student is found guilty of the illegal use, possession, and/or sale of a drug or narcotic on campus, the minimum disciplinary penalty shall be suspension from enrollment or attendance for a specified period of time and/or suspension of rights and privileges for a specified period of time.
