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 7 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 control 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 eighteen 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 or she 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 ten 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 2 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 http://cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/Statutes.asp.

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 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 distributed 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 web site (www.usdoj.gov/dea/index.htm), as well as in the United States Code (www.gpoaccess.gov/uscode/index.html).

Health Risks of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs

Alcohol

Alcohol is a drug. It is a depressant that is absorbed into the bloodstream and transmitted to virtually all parts of the body. The impact of alcohol varies among individuals. However, even moderate doses of alcohol reduce physical coordination and mental alertness, making certain activities, such as sports or driving, dangerous. Larger doses of alcohol cause staggering, slurred speech, double vision, sudden mood swings and unconsciousness.

Drinking to excess in any situation is poisoning yourself. In addition, heavy drinking and binge drinking (multiple drinks at one sitting) may result in respiratory arrest and death. Long-term heavy drinkers increase their risk of developing liver and heart disease, circulatory problems, peptic ulcers, various forms of cancer, and irreversible brain damage. Heavy drinkers also may become hooked on the drug and die if it is withdrawn too quickly.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant that is short lasting. In its crystalline form, cocaine is most often inhaled through a tube directly into the nasal passages, passing quickly into the brain. It can be smoked or injected. Free basing involves removing the hydrochloride and other additives by introducing a strong alkali and ether to the crystalline cocaine and heating it to its evaporation point. The cocaine base that remains is then smoked, sending the drug almost instantaneously to the brain. However it is introduced into the body, the drug’s immediate effect is to create a high that is often described as orgasmic or euphoric. It creates increased alertness, suppresses appetite, and temporarily relieves depression.

Studies indicate that cocaine’s effect on both body and psyche are dangerous and some damage may be irreversible. The least harmful effects are the painful nosebleeds and nasal erosion that result from sniffing the drug and irritating the lining of the nose. More dangerous are what are known as the “coke blues” – which are the intense downs that occur after the high and often result in the user trying a variety of other drugs or higher doses of cocaine in an attempt to relieve the physical or emotional discomfort. Personal dangers of cocaine can include damage to the respiratory and immune systems, malnutrition, seizures, and loss of brain function. Also, lower-cost forms of the drug, such as “crack,” are especially addictive, making all other effects worse. This activity can lead to dependency on several drugs. There is a strong psychological dependence to “coke” which slowly accumulates as the individual builds up tolerance.

Depressants

Downers or depressants act much like alcohol and depress the central nervous system. In fact, alcohol is a depressant. Other downers include quaaludes, barbiturates, and tranquilizers. These drugs reduce anxiety, induce sleep, and promote relaxation. They are extremely dangerous when used together, such as a combination of alcohol and “ludes.” The combination is synergistic and the central nervous system is often depressed so much that it causes death. Downers cause slowed response time, loss of rational judgment, and decreased coordination and motor skills. Driving skills are seriously affected causing driving to be dangerous. Adverse physical effects include permanent liver and kidney damage. Tolerance develops, as does physical dependence, producing serious withdrawal symptomsincluding death.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that produce hallucinations or dream-like perceptions are called hallucinogens. The most common hallucinogens are LSD (acid), mescaline (peyote), psilocybin (mushrooms), and PCP (angeldust). These drugs have an effect that last 8 to12 hours to days, depending on the potency and drug type. Sometimes panic reactions occur, producing horrifying perceptions. PCP is a particularly dangerous drug since it produces effects from euphoria to violent behavior. Although there is no physical or psychological dependence associated with these drugs, they are still considered dangerous because of their paradoxical effects. Tolerance can develop to the hallucinations and, due to the perceptual distortions, no one should drive while using any of these drugs. Since these drugs cause misperceptions, people using them can put themselves or others into dangerous, even life threatening situations.

Marijuana

This is a drug that is taken to produce a “high” or euphoric feeling and state of relaxation. The high will last for 2 to 4 hours. The primary active ingredient is THC (tetrahydrocannacinol). The more THC that is present, the more potent the marijuana is.

Potency can vary but most common is 3 to –4 percent THC. Marijuana is usually smoked or eaten. The short-term effects include distortion of time perception, increased heart rate, dilation of blood vessels, and loss of short term memory. Also decreased are visual perception and psychomotor skills that make driving extremely dangerous. Longterm effects include loss of motivation, chronic bronchitis, decreased vital capacity, and increased risk of lung cancer. In men, marijuana can cause lower levels of the sex hormone testosterone, and an increase in abnormal sperm. Pregnant women should not smoke marijuana as the effects on the fetus are as yet unclear. Marijuana has been proven to be psychologically addictive. However, even though users develop a tolerance to marijuana, the degree of physical addiction remains uncertain.

Narcotics

The opium poppy produces the natural substances opium, morphine, heroin, codeine. Percodan and Demerol are synthetic opium-like compounds. These drugs relieve pain without loss of consciousness, control diarrhea, and suppress coughs. These drugs can be taken in pill form, injected or smoked.

Narcotic analgesics, commonly known as painkillers, cause physical dependence to develop in a short time. Hospitalized patients may even experience minor withdrawal symptoms after spending several days on painkilling medication. Tolerance also develops quickly.

Stimulants

Caffeine is the most widely used stimulant, and it is found in coffee, tea, cola, and cold medications. Other stimulants are in the family of amphetamines, known as speed and uppers. Stimulants increase awareness, keep people awake, and depress the appetite. The short-term effects of these drugs include elevated blood pressure, nervousness, and hyperactivity. Long-term effects include insomnia, malnutrition, even acute psychosis.

Many people find themselves feeling fatigued after using amphetamines. Tolerance does develop and this drug does cause psychological and some physical dependence.

Heroin

Symptoms and side effects of heroin use include loss of appetite, addiction with severe withdrawal symptoms, drowsiness, clouding of mental processes, apathy, slowing of reflexes and physical activity, infection (e.g. hepatitis, AIDS), and death from overdose.

Steroids

Effects of steroid use include liver disease, cancer, growth problems, testicular atrophy, bone fusions, acne, psychological problems, rage and uncontrolled anger, breast reduction, failure of secondary sex characteristics, sexual dysfunction (e.g. sterility, impotence), and fetal damage.

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