FALL 2024

ACE IT
INFORMATION

01 About

02 Alcohol

03 Cannabis

04 Other Drugs

05 Resources
ABOUT ACE IT
Required for all first-year students and transfers
under the age of 21, ACE IT is an alcohol and other
drug education and prevention program focused
on the harm reduction perspective.

ACE IT is facilitated by the University of Illinois

Urbana-Champaign's Counseling Center. Our goal
is not to lecture or preach abstinence, but to ensure
that all students can stay safe, be healthy, and
succeed academically—whether or not they choose
to drink.

The training is broken down into four sections:

Alcohol
Cannabis
Other Drugs
Campus/Community Resources and Bystander
Interventions

As the ACE IT workshop is online and available

through Canvas modules, this informational
booklet is meant to serve as a printable guide with
convenient summaries of main points. Reading or
printing this booklet is not required but may be
useful.

For further questions or feedback, please reach out

to our team at [email protected]. Have a
great semester!
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 MANY PATHS TO
THE COUNSELING
CENTER
ACE IT is housed within the Counseling Center
due to the close connection between substance
use and mental health. We use a harm reduction
approach to encourage students to consider
safety for themselves and others when using
alcohol or other drugs..

Same-day appointments Support groups

Online scheduling Specialized assessments
Individual assessments Workshops on Request
Urgent appointments Trauma response
Individual consultations Outreach

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Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
.45 Breathing stops; death occurs..

.40 Most people lose consciousness; some die.

.30 Many people may lose consciousness.

.15
Balance and movement are impaired. Risk of blackouts, accidents,
nausea, passing out, and hangovers.

.10 A clear deterioration of reaction time and control is noticed.

.08 Definite impairment of muscle coordination and driving skills. Increased

risk of nausea and slurred speech. It’s illegal to drive at this level.

.06 Judgement is somewhat impaired; people are less capable of making

rational decisions about their capabilities, driving and other activities.

.055
Ideal level for positive effects of alcohol. Consequences
increase above this level.

.04 Most people begin to feel relaxed.

.02 Light and moderate drinkers begin to feel some effect.

WHAT ELSE AFFECTS BAC?

Biological sex
Alcohol content of drink
Rate of consumption
Body size
Eating before drinking
Illness or tiredness 5
 DRINK SERVING SIZES
AND SAFETY

If you choose to drink, it’s important to be aware of how much

alcohol you’re taking in as this affects your blood alcohol content.
The illustration above shows what a standard drink size is for
different types of alcoholic beverages. Knowing standard sizes can
help you recognize if you’re actually being served more than one
serving with a single beverage

To teach the warning

signs of alcohol Puking (especially while passed out)
Unresponsive to stimulus
poisoning, we use (pinching/shaking)
the acronym PUBS: Breathing changes (slow, uneven,
stopped)
Skin is cold/clammy/blue

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 AMNESTY POLICY
The university has an amnesty policy
for students who help friends that
need medical attention because
they are showing symptoms of
alcohol poisoning. This means that if
you call for help for someone, you or
your friend will not face disciplinary
action if you have been drinking or
using substances. Remember:
Call 911.
Stay with the person.
Cooperate with authorities.

Biphasic Effect: Cultural myths about alcohol teach us that

drinking more is always better. Drinking past a B.A.C. of around .05
reaches a "point of diminishing return" or maximum benefits. As
your B.A.C increases over .05, any euphoric benefits decrease, and
you experience the negative effects of alcohol as a depressant.

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 Bar entry age: 18/Urbana, 19/Champaign
Minimum legal drinking age: 21 and over

CAMPUS POLICIES AND LAWS

Underage drinking ticket: $350
Borrowing a fake ID: Potential misdemeanor (for owner
and person in possession)
Creating a fake ID: Potential felony (lose license for one
year, $340 fine, and increased insurance rates)
“Constructive Possession Ticket,” or “arm’s length rule,” if
alcohol is within reach, dominion, or control of a minor.

Educational Consequences:
A first-time drinking offense will result in a campus
reprimand plus educational sanctions.
A first-time fake ID will result in campus censure plus
educational sanctions, as well as the consequences above.
Any possession or distribution of a controlled substance
will result in dismissal from the university.
Marijuana Policy: 1. University Censure; 2. Conduct
Probation; and 3. University Dismissal.
Recreational marijuana: Over 21 and not on campus
property. No formats including edibles, vaporizers, or oils.

–Office for Student Conflict Resolution –

www.conflictresolution.Illinois.edu
– Illinois Alcohol Laws & Penalties –
www2.Illinois.gov/ilcc/Education/Pages/Under21.aspx
–Illinois Marijuana Laws & Penalties –
norml.org/laws/item/Illinois-penaltie?

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 Substance Specific
Purchasing, possessing, or consuming
alcohol by a minor 350
FINES AND FEES
Providing alcohol to a minor 350
Minor in a liquor establishment 350
Possession of alcohol on public property
or business lots $205
Carrying open alcohol out of a licensed
premise $205
Purchase or possession of kegs without a
permit $350
Possession of Cannabis $50
Possession of drug paraphernalia $350
Tobacco for minors (under 21) $205

Behavior Related
Unlawful use of ID $350
Public urination or defecation $205
Fighting $255
Resisting or obstructing a police officer
$255
Noise violation $255

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 Alcohol, Substances,
and Sex

Relationships
Problematic use of alcohol and drugs could put a strain on
relationships with friends, family, and intimate partners.
If your friend or partner has issues that might be concerning or that
you don’t feel equipped to address with them, remember that there
are campus and community resources to support you both.

Birth Control
Alcohol does not reduce the effectiveness of birth control, but it does
impair the ability to use it correctly. If human error happens, there’s an
increased chance of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or
unplanned pregnancy.
If you throw up within two hours of taking a birth control pill as a
result of drinking too much alcohol, the pill may not be
effective in preventing pregnancy.

Emergency Shelters
University Safe Place 217-333-5656
Courage Connection 217-384-4390
Support Services
Counseling Center 217-333-3704
McKinley Health Center 217-333-2700
Women’s Resources Center 217-333-3137
Emergency Dean 217-333-0050
10 Title IX Coordinator 217-333-0855
 Alcohol, Substances,
and Sex (continued)
Consent
Consent is a clear, explicit, and voluntary agreement between
both people to engage in sexual activity.
Consent cannot be given if either person is incapacitated due to
alcohol or drugs. Engaging in sexual activity while under the
influence might make it more difficult to read a partner’s signals
or to ensure you are both willing to participate in a sexual act.
No one is EVER asking for sexual assault, regardless of alcohol
consumption, drug use, how they dress, or any other reason. It is
never someone’s fault for being assaulted.

How to Help a Friend

Ask another person to help you approach the situation. There
is power in numbers.
Remove your friend from the situation if it makes you uneasy.
Be creative in your approach if necessary - send a text, ask
them to grab some food together, etc.
Ask your friend if they are ok if you suspect something isn’t
right.
Report unwanted and/or illegal behavior to a confidential
advisor for support through wecare.illinois.edu

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If you decide to drink, it’s good to have a plan in place
that can help you avoid negative consequences.
Consider the following:
Before:
Set a low-risk limit before you start drinking.
Share the plan with your friends.
Eat before you start drinking.
Make a backup plan in case you get separated
from your group

During:
Keep track of how many standard drinks you have
(Wear a bracelet for each drink you plan on
drinking on one wrist. Move one to your other wrist
after each drink. Keep a tally in your Notes app.
Hang on to the tab or cap of each drink you have.)
Know how much alcohol is in your drinks.
Pace yourself to one drink per hour at the most.
Alternate with non-alcoholic drinks like water.
Keep your phone with you and make sure it’s
charged.
Leave if you feel uncomfortable, but be sure to tell
your friends you’re leaving or leave together.
Check in with friends who leave before you.

MAKING A
PLAN 12
 Cannabis
Awareness
Be aware of how much and what you're using:
There are various forms of cannabis (or marijuana), including
flower, concentrates (i.e. dabs) and edibles. Each type
impacts the body differently.
The amount of THC in cannabis has increased dramatically
and concentrates have up to 80 percent THC.
Using high levels of THC increases the risk of experiencing
anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis.

Effects of cannabis:
Short-term effects include altered senses, changes in mood,
impaired memory, and trouble problem solving.
Long-term frequent use has been linked to lower life
satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, and an
increase in relationship problems. 13
 Cannabis-Based
Harm Reduction

Strategies for controlling use:

Use slowly to understand how your body will respond.

THC absorbs at different rates depending on your
method of consumption. Smoking affects you more
quickly, but the high wears off sooner. Edibles absorb
into your system more slowly, but the high lasts up to 8
hours.
Using cannabis along with alcohol may result in greater
impairment and increase the risk of a negative
reaction.

Information on tolerance:

The more you use, the greater the amount you will need to
feel high. This is tolerance, which can be expensive and
lead to increased risk of negative physical and mental
health effects. To limit your risk of developing tolerance
you can:
Take a break from use ("T-break").
Limit your frequency of use.
Use smaller quantities.

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 Other Drugs

Besides alcohol and cannabis, the drugs most commonly

misused by college students are prescription medications,
ecstasy (MDMA), and cocaine.

Some students will never interact with these drugs. It is

important to understand the impact of drug culture and
the addictive impact of even legal substances, such as
nicotine and alcohol. Overdoses and/or combining drugs
with alcohol can be fatal. For this reason, people
experimenting with new substances should never use
alone and it is recommended to try small amounts in this
situation.

Sharing medications, such as a drug that is prescribed to

you that you feel would be helpful to a friend, can be
dangerous and is also illegal. Our campus has very strict
policies surrounding drugs. Manufacturing, delivery,
and/or possessing a prescription that is not yours
involves dismissal from the university. Familiarize yourself
with the Office of the Dean of Students at
https://odos.illinois.edu/alcohol-and-drug-program/
for more information.
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SMOKE AND TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS

As of August 2019, the University of

Illinois campus is smoke- and
tobacco-free. This includes vaping,
pipes, cigarettes, chewing tobacco,
and hookah products.

To ensure all people on campus are

free from secondary exposure to
smoke and smoke and tobacco, there
is no use allowed on or in any campus
property.

The first violation entails a written

warning and increases up to a $100
fine per occurrence.

For more details, visit

tobaccofree.illinois.edu

Interested in help quitting smoking?

Schedule an appointment with
McKinley Health Center for a nicotine
cessation appointment at
217.333.2700. 16
 THINGS TO DO IN
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY

There are many activities you can do around town if you choose not to drink—
whether that’s for one evening, a weekend, or throughout your time at Illinois.
Here are a few suggestions:

Sports and Recreation

• Bowl and play billiards at the Illini Union.
• Swim, play basketball, work out, and rock climb at the ARC.
• Skate at the Ice Arena- campusrec.illinois.edu/skating
• Attend a U of I sporting event—there’s Fighting Illini football,
basketball, hockey, and volleyball, just to name a few.

Seasonal Activities
Visit Curtis Orchard for pumpkins, apples, and cider
(curtisorchard.com)
Urbana Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday at Lincoln Square
Mall
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch is 15 miles away in Rantoul
Clearview Sunflower Farm is an epic photo opp

Movies & Theatre

Check out a movie at local theaters in Savoy or Champaign
Virginia Theatre in Champaign and The Station in Urbana
are go-to spots for independent art
Harvest Moon drive-in is located 30 miles from Champaign!

Cultural Activities
Eberfest film festival every spring
Pygmalion and Folk and Roots music festivals each fall
Local Restaurant Week in January
Cherry Blossom Celebration at Japan House,
And many more.! Visit https://bit.ly/2oM2GaQ to follow
these events.
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 Food
Get off campus and explore by trying some of these local
favorites!
• Golden Harbor (Chinese) goldenharbor.weebly.com
• Maize (Mexican) maizemexicangrill.com
• Papa Del’s (pizza) papadels.com
• Jarling’s Custard Cup (frozen treats) jarlings.com

Outdoors
• Visit the Arboretum and Japan House.
japanhouse.art.illnois.edu
• Walk, bike, swim, and picnic at various
Champaign parks. champaignparkdistrict.com

Live Entertainment
• Use your student discount to see plays, concerts, and
performances at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
krannertcenter.com
• Listen to music, poetry slams, and comedy at The Red
Herring. channingmurray.org/redherring

Get Involved
• Join the Illini Union Board or participate in their upcoming
events. (union.illinois.edu/get-involved/illini-union-board )
• Join a registered student organization (RSO)
illinois.collegiatelink.net
• Become a Counseling Center Paraprofessional, Inner Voices
actor, or Harm Reduction Peer - see Module 6 for details.

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 RESOURCES

Transportation Services
SafeRides 217-384-8188
SafeRides Connect - app
SafeWalks 217-333-1216

University Services
Counseling Center 217-333-3704
Student Legal Services 217-333- 9053
Dial-a-Nurse 217-333-2700

Community Services
Crisis Hotline 217-359-4141
Rape Crisis Hotline 217-384-4444
Alcoholics Anonymous 217-373-4200

Other Campus Resources

New Student Programs newstudent.illinois.edu
McKinley Health Center mckinley.illinois.edu
Office of Student Conflict Resolution conflictresolution.illinois.edu
WeCare Sexual Misconduct Support wecare.illinois.edu

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 CONTACT US
University of Illinois Counseling Center
610 E. John St.
Champaign, IL 61820
217.333.3704
counselingcenter.illinois.edu
[email protected]

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