Drugs and Alcohol
While overseas, students are subject to the Rhodes Social Regulations Code and Honor Code as well as to the local laws of the host country.
Alcohol is a serious issue for American students both at home and abroad. Students who are not of legal drinking age in the United States sometimes adjust poorly to the general availability of alcoholic drinks while abroad. Wine and beer are a regular part of social discourse and meals in the households of most host countries, restaurants, and campuses. “Responsible” drinking practices vary considerably from country to country, though none have the “binge” drinking culture often found on United States campuses. Public drunkenness is severely frowned upon in most countries and campuses. We trust that Rhodes students will behave responsibly and will remember that as a foreigner they can be more vulnerable to problems if they have had too much to drink. Student should act responsibly when choosing whether to drink or not.
Drug penalties are generally much more severe than those of the United States. In some countries, simple acquisition of prohibited drugs, including marijuana and other controlled substances, can result in heavy fines, deportation and prison sentences ranging from months to years, or to capital punishment in Southeast Asia.
United States students are expected to abide by all local laws, including drug laws. United States embassy officials are very unsympathetic to drug violations by United States citizens and will only give a list of local lawyers and will contact, by collect call, one person in the United States. One student’s action often affects several others. Therefore, Rhodes takes a strong line against the abuse of alcohol and use of illegal drugs while a student is here or abroad.