Drug & Alcohol Policy
The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 requires institutions of higher education to establish policies that address unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs. The Act also requires the establishment of a drug and alcohol prevention program.
Standard of Conduct
In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), students, staff, or faculty shall not engage in the unauthorized or unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use/abuse of alcohol and/or illicit drugs on college property or as part of any college activity.
In support of a Drug-Free School and Work Environment, the College has instituted the following policies and procedures:
Legal Sanctions
Students and employees are reminded that local, state, and federal laws provide for a variety of legal sanctions and penalties for the unlawful manufacturing, possession, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. These penalties range in severity from a fine of $100 up to $8,000,000 and/or life imprisonment. The exact penalty assessed depends upon the nature and the severity of the individual offense.
College Sanctions
Students and/or employees (full or part-time) who violate the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act will be subject to disciplinary actions. Students will be subject to disciplinary action under student disciplinary policies. The sanctions include but are not limited to probation, suspension, or expulsion from the college, termination of student employment, and referral to authorities for prosecution, as appropriate.
Employees may be subject to corrective and/or disciplinary action as per State Personnel Rules and Regulations, up to and including termination.
Health Risks
Health risks associated with drug and alcohol abuse encompass physical and psychological effects, including but not limited to: malnutrition, brain damage, paranoia, psychosis, hepatitis, convulsions, coma, depression, heart disease, death, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, damage to the central nervous system, elevated blood pressure, respiratory failure, low birth weight babies, babies with drug/alcohol addictions, and an increased probability of intravenous drug users contracting AIDS. It is recommended that anyone having specific questions relating to their health and drugs/ alcohol should consult their physician.
Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Counseling Programs and Referral Sources
See a curated list of national, regional, and town specific drug and alcohol resources.