Active Sanctions - Alcohol & Other Drugs

These sanctions help students evaluate their own substance use habits and make better decisions about alcohol and other drugs. 

• Drug and Alcohol Fines
• HOPE Alcohol Workshop
• HOPE Cannabis Workshop
• ADAP Assessment
• e-Chug Online Alcohol Assessment
• e-Toke Online Cannabis Assessment
• Drinking Age Letter
• Alcohol Statistics Paper
• Fake ID Essay/Poster
• Attendance at Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous Meeting
• Alcohol Treatment Program
• Drug Treatment Program
• Substance Restriction

Drug and Alcohol Fines

Description: Monetary fine
Appropriate for: Repeat violations and distribution offenses
Not appropriate for: First-time drug and alcohol violations involving possession/consumption
Availability: No restrictions
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
Note: See the schedules of fines below.
Instructions to student: “You must pay a fine of [AMOUNT]. Failure to pay your fine by the deadline will result in a hold on your registration; you will be unable to register for, add, or drop classes while the hold is in place. Pay online at:  https://webapps.rutgers.edu/vcsa/dos/.”

HOPE Alcohol Workshop

Description: A one-hour, interactive, in-person educational workshop conducted by Health Outreach Promotion and Education staff. The workshop addresses the various ways that alcohol can impact an individual physically and academically and its effects on behavior and decision-making.
Appropriate for: First-time, low-level alcohol possession/consumption violations that do not involve a hospital transport
Not appropriate for: Repeat alcohol violations, violations involving a hospital transport
Availability: As scheduled by the Health Outreach Promotion and Education Office
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
Instructions to student: “You are required to attend the HOPE alcohol education workshop, which is offered by the Health Outreach Promotion and Education Office. If you are late or miss a workshop for which you are registered and do not cancel your appointment, you will no longer be eligible to participate in the HOPE program. Instead, you will be required to complete an online workshop called Alcohol eCheckup To Go.

Once you have completed the HOPE program, you are also required to write a paper reflecting on what you have gained from the workshop and from this experience. This paper must be no less than 250 words in length (typed, double-spaced in paragraph form) and should address the following questions/issues:

A. Reflect on the program materials. Write a summary of the information presented. Is this new information to you?

B. How does this information relate to the policies that you have violated in this instance?

C. If placed in the same situation that led to incident, how would your actions be similar or different?


D. Why would your actions be similar or different?


E. What is the most important thing you have learned from this experience?

Be advised that this paper may not serve to justify your own actions or evaluate the actions of others. The paper should utilize appropriate language, grammar, and spelling.”

HOPE Cannabis Workshop

Description: One-hour, interactive, in-person educational workshop conducted by Health Outreach Promotion and Education staff. The workshop addresses the various ways that cannabis can impact an individual physically and academically and its effects on behavior and decision-making.
Appropriate for: First-time, low-level cannabis possession/consumption violations that do not involve a hospital transport
Not appropriate for: Repeat cannabis violations
Availability: As scheduled by the Health Outreach Promotion and Education Office
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
Instructions to student: “You are required to attend the HOPE Cannabis education workshop, which is offered by the Health Outreach Promotion and Education Office. If you are late or miss a workshop for which you are registered and do not cancel your appointment, you will no longer be eligible to participate in the HOPE program. Instead, you will be required to complete an online assessment called e-Toke.

Once you have completed the HOPE program, you are also required to write a paper reflecting on what you have gained from the workshop and from this experience. This paper must be no less than 250 words in length (typed, double-spaced in paragraph form) and should address the following questions/issues:

A. Reflect on the program materials. Write a summary of the information presented. Is this new information to you?


B. How does this information relate to the policies that you have violated in this instance?


C. If placed in the same situation that led to incident, how would your actions be similar or different?


D. Why would your actions be similar or different?


E. What is the most important thing you have learned from this experience?
Be advised that this paper may not serve to justify your own actions or evaluate the actions of others. The paper should utilize appropriate language, grammar, and spelling.”

ADAP Assessment

Description: A substance use assessment conducted by drug and alcohol counselors at Counseling, ADAP & Psychiatric Services
Appropriate for: Repeat drug/alcohol violations and violations involving a hospital transport
Not appropriate for: First-time, low-level drug/alcohol possession/consumption violations
Availability: As scheduled between student and Counseling, ADAP & Psychiatric Services
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
Instructions to student: “You are required to undergo an assessment with the Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) at the CAPS Building. This assessment typically consists of two to six meetings. During your assessment, you will work with a counselor to identify elements of risk in your decision-making regarding alcohol and/or other drugs, develop strategic alternatives to consuming alcohol and/or other drugs in social situations, and recognize high-risk behaviors regarding substance abuse. You must then abide by whatever treatment recommendations are made by the person conducting your assessment. You must sign a release of information to allow ADAP to inform the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) of your attendance. The counselor is not authorized to provide any information to OSC about the content of the assessment meetings, other than to confirm your attendance and provide information on any recommendations made. The OSC will share with ADAP information about the incident that led to this referral.”

e-Chug Online Alcohol Assessment

Description: Online assessment of student’s alcohol use
Appropriate for: First-time, low-level alcohol possession/consumption violations (that do not involve a hospital transport)
Not appropriate for: Repeat alcohol violations, violations involving a hospital transport
Availability: No restrictions
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): Instructions for accessing e-Chug
Note: The student may be required to complete e-Chug if they are assigned to the HOPE Alcohol Workshop and fail to complete it.
Instructions to student: “You are required to complete e-Chug, an online assessment and education program offered by Rutgers Student Health. Instructions for accessing the program are attached to this letter. Once you have completed the program, you must then complete a reflection paper. This paper must be no less than 250 words in length (typed, double-spaced in paragraph form) and must answer/address the following:

1. What percent of your spending money is spent on alcohol? In what ways, if any, does this impact your life? If it does not currently, could it and why?

2. How many standard drinks do you consume in a week? Based on this answer, what did you learn about your consumption pattern as it relates to other college students? 
3. What is your tolerance level and level of risk? What does this mean to you? 
4. What is your family risk level? What does this mean to you? 
5. What, if anything, is the most important thing you have learned from this assessment? 
6. Reflect upon the incident that led to this sanction. In the future, would you make the same decision? If so, why? If not, why not?

Please be advised that this paper may not be used to justify the actions that led to this sanction or to criticize the actions of others. The paper should utilize appropriate language, grammar, and spelling."

e-Toke Online Cannabis Assessment

Description: Online assessment of student’s cannabis use
Appropriate for: First-time, low-level cannabis possession/consumption violations (that do not involve a hospital transport)
Not appropriate for: Repeat drug violations, violations involving a hospital transport
Availability: No restrictions
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): Instructions for accessing e-Toke
Note: The student may be required to complete e-Toke if they are assigned to the HOPE Cannabis Workshop and fail to complete it.
Instructions to student: “You are required to complete e-Toke, an online assessment and education program offered by Rutgers Student Health. Instructions for accessing the program are attached to this letter. Once you have completed the program, you must then complete a reflection paper. This paper must be no less than 250 words in length (typed, double-spaced in paragraph form) and must answer/address the following: 

A. Reflect on the program materials. Write a summary of the information presented. Is this new information to you?


B. How does this information relate to the policies that you have violated in this instance?


C. If placed in the same situation that led to incident, how would your actions be similar or different?

D. Why would your actions be similar or different?

E. What is the most important thing you have learned from this experience?

Be advised that this paper may not serve to justify your own actions or evaluate the actions of others. The paper should utilize appropriate language, grammar, and spelling.”

Drinking Age Letter

Description: A writing exercise in which the student can reflect on their own alcohol use and the purpose of the legal drinking age
Appropriate for: Minor incidents involving underage drinking
Not appropriate for: All other cases
Availability: No restrictions
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
Instructions to student: “Write a letter (at least 500 words, typed, double-spaced) to your Congressperson explaining why the legal drinking age should be 18 years old with supporting rationale. Use at least two (2) peer-reviewed articles in your research (Wikipedia is not acceptable as a source). You are expected to cite your sources using MLA style and to use appropriate language, grammar, and spelling. A guide to MLA format is available at the Purdue Online Writing Lab. Outline the pros and cons of the drinking age being 18 vs. 21 in your letter. This letter may not serve to justify your own actions nor evaluate the actions of others. The letter should utilize appropriate language, grammar, and spelling.”

Alcohol Statistics Paper

Description: A writing exercise in which the student can learn more about the effects of excessive alcohol consumption and the consequences of binge drinking
Appropriate for: Incidents involving excessive or binge drinking
Not appropriate for: All other cases
Availability: No restrictions
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
Instructions to student: "Write a paper (at least 500 words, typed, double-spaced) on alcohol related injuries and risks to college students. Include a list of pros and cons of binge drinking. Use at least two (2) peer-reviewed articles for your research.  (Wikipedia is not acceptable as a source). You are expected to cite your sources using MLA style and to use appropriate language, grammar, and spelling. A guide to MLA format is available at the Purdue Online Writing Lab."

Fake ID Essay/Poster

• Description: An informational essay or poster intended to educate other students about the use of fraudulent identification
• Appropriate for: Minor violations involving the use of fraudulent identification
• Not appropriate for: All other cases
• Availability: No restrictions
• Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
• Instructions to student: “Write an essay (at least 250 words, typed, double-spaced) or create a poster to explain the legal consequences of having a fake ID in New Jersey and the impact of these consequences on your future goals. This essay/poster may not serve to justify your own actions nor evaluate the actions of others. It also may not be used to promote a philosophy that is in opposition to University regulations. You are expected to use appropriate language, grammar, and spelling. All sources must be appropriately cited using MLA format. A guide to MLA format is available at the Purdue Online Writing Lab. If found to be unsatisfactory (not of passable quality), or if your essay/poster is found to contain material that is not appropriately cited, it will be rejected and additional sanctions will be imposed.”

Attendance at Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous Meeting

Description: Student must attend an Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meeting 
Appropriate for: Cases in which a student has demonstrated consistent difficulties with regard to the use of alcohol and has not responded positively to previous sanctioning
Not appropriate for: All other cases
Availability: As scheduled by AA/NA program
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
Instructions to student: “You are required to attend a local meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. A list of meetings is available at AA & NA Meetings web page. Once you have attended a meeting, you must then write a reflective essay on the experience. This essay must be no less than 500 words in length and address the following questions:

A. What day and time did the meeting occur on?

B. How many people were in attendance?

C. Provide a summary of the AA/NA Twelve-Step Recovery Program

D. What impressions did you have of this meeting?

E. What did you learn about alcoholism/addiction?

F. What causes alcoholism/addiction?

Keep in mind that all matters discussed in AA/NA meetings are confidential, and you should not reveal information about other participants in your essay. Be advised that this essay may not be used to justify your actions or to evaluate the actions of others. You are expected to use appropriate language, grammar, and spelling.”

Alcohol Treatment Program

Description: Student must complete an off-campus alcohol treatment program
Appropriate for: Cases in which a student has demonstrated consistent difficulties with regard to the use of alcohol and has not responded positively to previous sanctioning. This sanction can also serve as an excellent condition of readmission when combined with a suspension.
Not appropriate for: All other cases
Availability: As scheduled between student and alcohol treatment program
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): List of treatment programs, release form
Note: This sanction should be combined with a substance restriction. The student must provide a written release permitting the program to share information with the Office of Student Conduct.
Instructions to student: “You are required to complete an outpatient alcohol treatment program at an appropriate off-campus facility. You must agree to allow the program to provide regular attendance reports to the Office of Student Conduct. A mandatory release form is attached. Be advised that Rutgers University bears no obligation for identification of a program, nor for treatment fees. You are required to abide by all recommendations made by certified alcohol treatment professionals as a result of this treatment program.”

Drug Treatment Program

Description: Student must complete an off-campus drug treatment program
Appropriate for: Cases in which a student has demonstrated consistent difficulties with regard to the use of drugs and has not responded positively to previous sanctioning. This sanction can also serve as an excellent condition of readmission when combined with a suspension.
Not appropriate for: All other cases
Availability: As scheduled between student and drug treatment program
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): List of treatment programs, release form
Note: This sanction should be combined with a substance restriction. The student must provide a written release permitting the program to share information with the Office of Student Conduct.
Instructions to student: “You are required to complete an outpatient drug treatment program at an appropriate off-campus facility. You must agree to allow the program to provide regular attendance reports to the Office of Student Conduct. A mandatory release form is attached. Be advised that Rutgers University bears no obligation for identification of a program, nor for treatment fees. You are required to abide by all recommendations made by certified drug treatment professionals as a result of this treatment program.”

Substance Restriction

Description: A prohibition against any use of alcohol or other drugs on University premises
Appropriate for: Cases in which a student has demonstrated consistent disregard for alcohol and/or drug policies
Not appropriate for: First-time minor violations
Availability: No restrictions
Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
Note: Substance restrictions should remain in effect for at least one semester. Students under the age of 21 should be restricted at least until they turn 21 (regarding alcohol).
Instructions to student: “You are restricted from being on any University property or at any University event under the influence of alcohol and/or non-prescription drugs. This prohibition is to be defined as being on University property or at a University event within six hours of consuming/using any amount of alcohol or non-prescription drug. Be advised that Residence Life staff and the Rutgers University Police will be made aware of this restriction.

Drug & Alcohol Fines

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