Legal Risks Related to Alcohol and Other Drugs
The chart below provides a general overview of the legal risks associated with alcohol and other drugs in Suffolk County and New York State. These risks can vary depending on the substance, a person’s age, the amount involved, whether driving is involved, and whether the substance is possessed, shared, sold, or used in a restricted setting. This chart is not an exhaustive list and may not include every substance, law, or possible legal consequence. It is intended as an educational resource to help students understand potential legal consequences and should not be considered legal advice.
| substance | main legal risks in suffolk county/nys | student relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol |
Legal for adults 21+. Illegal to sell or provide alcohol to people under 21. Underage possession, fake ID, DWI/DWAI, open container issues, disorderly conduct, and social host liability. New York DMV notes that alcohol or drug-related driving violations can involve loss of driving privileges, fines, and possible jail. |
Alcohol-related incidents can also lead to student conduct action, especially in residence halls, campus events, or when safety concerns arise. Being 21 or older does not remove legal risks related to driving, hosting, or providing alcohol to others. |
| Cannabis / marijuana |
Legal for adults 21+ within New York State limits. Legal risks include underage possession or use, possession over legal limits, unlicensed sale, impaired driving, and use in prohibited places. New York law also prohibits cannabis consumption in a motor vehicle. Cannabis sale offenses range from unlawful sale violations to felony-level charges depending on amount, age of recipient, and circumstances. |
Cannabis being legal in New York does not mean it is allowed on campus. Cannabis possession and use are completely prohibited on the Farmingdale State College campus, regardless of age or New York State adult-use cannabis laws. |
| Prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine |
Possessing a controlled substance without a valid prescription can be charged under New York Penal Law Article 220. A common simple possession charge, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, is a Class A misdemeanor. In New York, a Class A misdemeanor can carry up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Sale, sharing, or larger amounts can lead to felony charges. |
A prescription medication is not legal to share just because it came from a doctor. Giving a friend “one pill” can still create legal and campus consequences. |
| Fentanyl and heroin |
Possession can lead to misdemeanor or felony controlled substance charges depending on the substance, amount, and circumstances. Sale or distribution can lead to serious felony charges under Article 220. Felony drug fines can be much higher than ordinary felony fines, including up to $100,000 for A-I drug felonies, $50,000 for A-II, $30,000 for B, and $15,000 for C felonies. |
Students should be aware that fentanyl may be present in counterfeit pills or other substances without a person’s knowledge. Possession, use, or distribution can lead to serious legal and campus consequences, and the health risks are especially severe because even small amounts can be life-threatening |
| Cocaine / crack cocaine |
Possession and sale are controlled substance offenses under Article 220. Simple possession may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Larger amounts or intent to sell can lead to felony charges, with possible prison time and felony drug fines. |
Even small amounts can create serious legal and student conduct consequences. Risks increase when use happens at parties, in vehicles, in residence halls, or with evidence of distribution. |
| Methamphetamine |
Possession, sale, manufacturing, possession of precursors, and disposal of methamphetamine laboratory material are covered under Article 220. Simple possession may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, while manufacturing-related conduct and larger-scale offenses can lead to felony charges. Felony consequences may include prison time and fines that vary by felony class. |
Legal consequences can become more severe if there is evidence of manufacturing, distribution, property damage, child endangerment, or impaired driving. |
| Prescription stimulants such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse |
Possessing someone else’s prescription stimulant can lead to controlled substance charges. A common simple possession charge is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Selling or sharing pills can be treated as “sale” under New York law, which can lead to more serious charges. |
Prescription stimulant misuse can be a concern in college settings, especially during busy academic periods such as exams, papers, or finals. Sharing, buying, or using someone else’s prescription medication can create legal, academic, and student conduct consequences. |
| Benzodiazepines / sedatives such as Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ambien |
Possession without a prescription, sharing, selling, or possessing counterfeit pills can lead to controlled substance charges. Simple possession may be a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Driving while impaired by sedatives can also trigger DWAI-Drug penalties. |
Students should be especially cautious about mixing sedatives with alcohol, opioids, or other substances. These situations can create both medical emergencies and conduct concerns. |
| MDMA / ecstasy / molly |
Possession and sale can lead to controlled substance charges under Article 220. Simple possession may be a Class A misdemeanor, while sale, distribution, or larger amounts may lead to felony charges. Felony drug sentencing depends on charge level, prior record, and the facts of the case. |
"Club drugs" may be encountered in social settings, but students should understand that possession or distribution remains illegal in New York. These substances also carry added safety concerns because pills, capsules, or powders are often unregulated and may contain unexpected or dangerous ingredients. |
| LSD / psilocybin mushrooms / mescaline |
Possession and sale can lead to controlled substance charges. Simple possession may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Sale or larger amounts can lead to felony charges. |
Students should be aware that LSD and other hallucinogens remain illegal in New York, even if laws or public attitudes are changing elsewhere. Use can also create safety concerns in campus or social settings because hallucinogens can impair judgment, perception, and decision-making. |
| Ketamine |
Unauthorized possession, sale, or distribution can lead to controlled substance charges. Simple possession may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, while sale or distribution can lead to felony-level exposure under Article 220. |
Students should not assume that medical use in clinics makes recreational possession legal. Impaired driving and mixing with alcohol or sedatives can increase both safety and legal risks. |
| GHB. Rohypnol |
Possession, sale, and distribution can lead to controlled substance charges. Depending on the facts, penalties may range from misdemeanor-level exposure to felony charges. Felony drug fines can reach much higher amounts depending on felony class. |
GHB is especially concerning in campus safety conversations because of overdose risk and its association with drug-facilitated sexual assault. Any emergency should be treated as urgent. |
| Anabolic steroids |
Unauthorized possession or sale can create controlled substance risk under New York law. Simple unlawful possession may lead to misdemeanor exposure, while sale or distribution may lead to more serious charges depending on the facts. |
Steroids may come up in athletic, gym, or body image contexts. Possession without a prescription or distribution to others can create legal and conduct consequences. |
dean of students
Dewey Hall, Room 118
934-420-2104
dean.students@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm