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3. The Vehicle Code, 75 PA, C.S.A. 3101 et seq., which was amended effective July
1, 1977, prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or
both, if the driver thereby is rendered incapable of safe driving. A police officer is
empowered to arrest without a warrant any person whom he or she has probable
cause to believe has committed a violation, even though the officer may not have
been present when the violation was committed. A person so arrested is deemed to
have consented to a test of breath or blood for the purpose of determining alcoholic
content, and if a violation is found it carries the penalties of a misdemeanor of the
second degree, which includes imprisonment for a maximum of thirty days.
4. The Federal drug laws, The Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 801 et seq., are
similar to the Pennsylvania Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act,
but contain, for the most part, more severe penalties. Schedules of controlled
substance are established, and it is made unlawful knowingly or intentionally to
manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess with intent to distribute or dispense a
controlled substance. If the quantity of controlled substance is large (e.g. 1,000 kg of
a mixture or substance containing marijuana), the maximum penalties are life
imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, or both. Lesser quantities of controlled substance
(e.g. 100 kg of a mixture or substance containing marijuana) result in maximum
penalties of life imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, or both. The distribution of small
amounts of marijuana for no remuneration or simple possession of a controlled
substance carries a maximum of one year’s imprisonment, a $5,000 fine, or both,
with the penalties for the second offense doubling. Probation without conviction is
possible for first offenders. Distribution to persons under the age of twenty-one by
persons eighteen or older carries double or triple penalties.
Double penalties also apply to the distribution or manufacture of a controlled
substance in or on or within 1,000 feet of the property of a school or college.
Health Risks
Health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol are varied. Among
the many risks to the individual are brain damage, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer, ulcers, heart
ailments, impotence, fetal alcohol syndrome, depression, paranoia, memory loss, blackouts,
psychological and emotional problems, hypertension, eating disorders, loss of coordination,
poor vision, and gastrointestinal problems.
• Alcohol. Alcohol consumption causes a number of changes in behavior and
physiology. Statistics show that alcohol use is involved in a majority of violent
behaviors on college campuses, including acquaintance rape, vandalism, fights, and
incidents of drinking and driving. Continued abuse may lead to dependency, which
often causes permanent damage to vital organs and deterioration of a healthy
lifestyle. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
binge drinking is defined as a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings the blood
alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or more. This pattern of drinking