The Laws

The laws relating to alcohol in the State of Maryland are based on The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 which states that revenue will be withheld from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21.Thus, it is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol in the state of Maryland.

Offense / Description / Fines / Jail Time
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) / Individual is, or has been, driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle with a BAC of at least 0.04, but less than 0.08. / 1st Offense: 2nd Offense:
Up to $500 Up to $500
3rd Offense: With Minor:
Up to $500 Up to $4000 / 1st Offense: 2nd Offense:
Up to 2 months Up to one year
3rd Offense: With Minor:
Up to one year Up to 4 years
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) –
age 21 and older / Individual is, or has been, driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. / 1st Offense: 2nd Offense:
Up to $1000 Up to $2000
3rd Offense: With Minor:
Up to $3000 Up to $4000
Possible suspended license, alcohol education, and/ or ignition interlock device. / 1st Offense: 2nd Offense:
Up to one year Up to two years
3rd Offense: With Minor:
Up to three years Up to 4 years
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) –
under age 21 / Individual is, or has been, driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.02 or higher.*
BAC of 0.07 or higher may face same penalties as a person of age. / 1st Offense:
$500-$1000, suspended license for ninety days
2nd Offense:
Total loss of driving privileges. / Possible
Obtaining liquor for persons under 21, furnishing liquor to underage person / Purchasing or providing alcohol to persons under the age of 21 / 1st Offense: 2nd Offense:
Up to $500 Up to $1000 / 1st Offense: 2nd Offense:
Up to one year Up to two years
Fraudulent use of driver's license or DMV identification card to obtain alcoholic beverages. / Using a false identification card, or one belonging to another person for the purchase of alcohol. / Up to $2000, suspended license / Up to 3 years
Underage possession of alcohol / The act of owning, occupying, holding or having under control of an alcoholic beverage when under the age of 21 / Up to $500, suspended license / Unlikely
Offense / Description / Fines / Jail Time
Underage purchase of alcohol
*May also be charged with possession. / The act of, or intent to, purchase alcohol beverages from a retail establishment. / Up to $500, suspended license / Unlikely
Possessing an unregistered keg; Destroying label on a keg / Failing to register a purchased keg with purchaser’s name and address or destroying original registration label. / 1st Offense: 2nd Offense:
Up to $500 Up to $1000 / Unlikely

The Choices

Whatever the laws (and the consequences for violating them) may be, decisions regarding alcohol are very personal. Each person must decide for themselves whether or not to drink.

Someone who chooses to drink must also understand the effects of alcohol on the body. Since alcohol affects each of us differently based on our weight, gender, and other factors, someone who drinks needs to be aware of their personal limits - and then stick to them.

The Basics

Alcohol is a drug – a depressant. Although small amounts of it can produce a feeling of stimulation and well-being, larger amounts have the opposite effect. Too much alcohol will shut down the brain and nervous system causing breathing to stop, a condition known as alcohol poisoning. Vomiting and passing out are early warning signs that alcohol poisoning has taken place. If you believe someone may have alcohol poisoning, remember these simple steps using the ABC’s:

Airway: is the airway clear of all obstructions? (tongue, vomit, etc.)

Breathing: is the person breathing deeply and steadily?

Circulation: is the skin warm, dry, pink, and turgid?

Don’t leave them alone: roll them gently on their side and check their vitals regularly.

Emergency assistance: if any of the ABC’s are not present, call for help immediately.

Alcohol poisoning is always fatal unless medical help is called quickly. Do not assume your friend will just “sleep it off”. Turn them to their side, with their knees gently bent and a hand under their head. Ensure they do not roll as many deaths from alcohol poisoning are due to choking on vomit once left alone. Do not attempt to put an intoxicated friend in the shower, feed them, or force them to drink water. This may cause more harm than good. The best thing to do is to stay with them and check their vitals every 15 minutes. If at any point you notice slow, shallow breathing; cool, clammy, pale or blueish skin; or the person begins to vomit uncontrollably or while unconscious, call for help immediately.

Don’t be fooled by the words “light beer” or “hard liquor”—most drinks have about the same amount of liquor. Twelve ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof hard liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol. Be aware that many mixed drinks contain several servings. A typical Long Island Iced Tea can contain up to five servings on alcohol in one glass.

What is Drunk?

The word “drunk” is a social term, not a legal one. Legally, a person’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), the percentage of alcohol in the blood, is used to determine when they are too impaired by alcohol to drive. In some states, legal impairment is defined as a BAC of 0.08%, while in others, legal impairment happens at a BAC of 0.10%.

The Other Problem with Being Drunk

A person who is drunk is more likely to do things that they wouldn’t think of doing while sober. In a recent study of JHU students, 36.3% of students who drank reported doing something they later regretted.

Being drunk opens the door to being taken advantage of socially, physically or even sexually. It facilitates acts of violence and property destruction.

Drinking is especially dangerous when done in addition to other drugs. Sometimes this drug use may be intentional, but lately, a group of “date rape” drugs has come to the attention of authorities. The most publicized “date rape” drug is the sedative Rohypnol, which is used widely for medical purposes in other parts of the world, but which is not approved for use in the US. Rohypnol is a chemical cousin of the popular sedative Valium, but is about ten times stronger. Called “roofies” on the street, the drug is tasteless and odorless and can be mixed with a drink without being detected. Once taken, it can produce deep intoxication and amnesia for up to eight hours. To make it easier to detect in a drink, the manufacturer has added a blue dye to the pill.

Hint: If you do choose to drink, mix your own drink and keep your drink with you at all times. This helps you to know exactly how much alcohol you’ve had and prevents anyone else from adding something that you don’t want.

It’s Not Just A “One Shot” Deal

Ever had a hangover? Remember that feeling? It probably felt like your head was going to explode. That hangover is your body’s way of reminding you that the effects of alcohol don’t end when you take your last drink of the night.

Your liver is the organ responsible for getting rid of most poisons, so it’s responsible for getting rid of (metabolizing) any alcohol in your system. The body’s ability to metabolize alcohol varies greatly from person to person, but in general, the liver can only metabolize about 1 ounce of alcohol per hour. That’s approximately the amount of alcohol in one drink.

Metabolizing alcohol requires huge amounts of water, which dehydrates the body and is the main source of the pounding-headache hangover. Greasy foods, medicines, or water may help to alleviate the symptoms of a hangover, but he bottom line, is that only time “cures” a hangover.

Alcohol Abuse or Dependence?

Abuse

The use of alcohol can cause seemingly minor problems. Missed classes, lower test scores, hangovers, and arguments with friends can be “no big deal.” However, being on academic probation, not getting accepted into the grad school of your choice, falling down stairs, being arrested, having sex with someone you wouldn’t share your toothbrush with, or getting AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases DO appear to be a “big deal”. The line between the “not big” and the “big” deal problems is a fine one…and all can result from the use of alcohol. When drinking causes problems in a person’s life, it’s considered alcohol abuse.

Dependence

People can become psychologically dependent (without being physically dependent) if they regularly use alcohol in relation to specific events or circumstances. Students who drink before a social event in order to feel more comfortable about meeting others, those who cope with stress by drinking, or those who always drink to “have a good time” can be psychologically dependent. The amount of alcohol consumed does not necessarily produce intoxication. Rather, this type of dependence is a desire for the physical effects of drinking (feeling relaxed, more confident, etc…). For psychologically dependent drinkers, the lack of alcohol may make them anxious, uncomfortable, insecure or even panicky.

What to Do

Learning to manage stress, becoming appropriately assertive and communicating more effectively are a few of the skills that can help individuals overcome their abuse or reliance on alcohol. Talking to a professional counselor may also help students assess those issues which may be contributing to their alcohol abuse.

Alcoholism or Physical Dependence

Physical dependence occurs in consistently heavy drinkers. People who drink on a regular basis become tolerant to many of the unpleasant effects of alcohol, and therefore, can drink more before suffering these effects. Even with increased consumption, many don’t appear drunk. Because they are able to perform their academic or other work assignments and socialize reasonably well, their condition may go unrecognized until a serious consequence occurs. When students require treatment for an alcohol related injury or illness, experience frequent conflicts with friends, stop going to classes completely, drink secretively or alone, or use alcohol to relieve stress or sleeplessness, the student may be physically dependent on alcohol.