5.18.1 Alcohol and Drug-Free Campus

Responsible Position

Safety Coordinator

RELATED ITEMS

Minnesota State Board Policy

• External Website: Minnesota State - 5.18 Alcoholic Beverages or Controlled Substances on Campus

Minnesota State System Procedure

• External Website: Minnesota State - 5.18.1 Alcohol or Controlled Substances Use Procedure
• External Website: Minnesota State - 5.18.2 Approval Check List

Minnesota Statute Chapter 340A, Liquor
Minnesota Management and Budget – Prohibition of Alcohol and Drug Use by State Employees policy (HR/LR Policy #1418)
Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989

PROCEDURES

Legal Sanctions

Federal and state sanctions for illegal possession of controlled substances range from up to one-year imprisonment and up to $100,000 in fines for a first offense, to three years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines for repeat offenders. Additional penalties include forfeiture of personal property and the denial of federal student aid benefits.

Under federal laws, trafficking in drugs such as heroin or cocaine may result in sanctions up to and including life imprisonment for a first offense involving 100 gm or more. Fines for such an offense can reach $5 million. First offenses involving lesser amount, 10-99 gm, may results in sanctions up to and including 20 years imprisonment and fines up to $1 million. A first offense for trafficking in marijuana may result in up to five years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 for an offense involving less than 50 kg, and up to life imprisonment and fines up to $20 million for an offense involving 1,000 kg or more.

The State of Minnesota may impose a wide range of sanctions for alcohol-related violations. For example, driving while intoxicated (blood alcohol content of .08 or more) may result in a $1,000 fine, 90 days in jail, and/or revocation of driver’s license for 30 days. Possession of alcohol under age 21 or use of false identification to purchase alcohol results in up to a fine of $1,000. Furnishing alcohol to persons under the age of 21 is punishable by up to a $3,000 fine and/or one-year imprisonment.

Health Risks Associated with Illicit Drug Use and Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol and drug use are prohibited not simply because it is against the law, but because of the demonstrated health risks associated with use. While the following list is not exhaustive, it serves to demonstrate the range of potential hazards associated with illicit drug and alcohol use.

Alcohol

Loss of concentration and judgment, slowed reflexes; disorientation leading to higher risk of accidents and problem behavior; risk of liver and heart damage, malnutrition, cancer and other illnesses; can be highly addictive to some persons.

Amphetamines

Can cause rushed, careless behavior - pushing beyond your physical capacity, leading to exhaustion; intolerance increases rapidly; causes physical and psychological dependence; withdrawal can result in depression and suicide; continued high doses can cause heart problems, infections, malnutrition and death.

Cannabis

Causes permanent damage to lungs, reproductive organs and brain function; slows reflexes; increases forgetfulness; alters judgment of space and distance.

Cocaine

Causes damage to respiratory and immune systems; induces malnutrition, seizures and loss of brain function. Some forms (such as "crack") are highly addictive.

Hallucinogens (PCP, LSD, Ecstasy)

Causes extreme distortions of what's seen and heard; induces sudden changes in behavior, loss of concentration and memory; increases risk of birth defects in user's children; overdose can cause psychosis, convulsions, coma and death. Frequent use can cause permanent loss of mental function.

Narcotics (Heroin, morphine, opium, codeine)

Tolerance increases rapidly; causes physical and psychological dependence; overdose can cause coma, convulsions, respiratory arrest and death; leads to malnutrition, infection and hepatitis; sharing needles is a leading cause of the spread of HIV and Hepatitis; highly addictive.

Sedatives

Tolerance increases rapidly; produces physical and psychological dependence; causes reduced reaction time, and confusion; overdoses can cause coma, respiratory arrest, convulsions and death; withdrawal can be dangerous; in combination with other controlled substances can quickly cause coma and death.

Counseling and Assistance Resources

Appropriate referrals to counseling and health agencies will be made for individuals as needed. Rehabilitation may become a condition of continuing association with our college. The college will impose sanctions when this policy is violated. Disciplinary action may include written reprimand, suspension, or dismissal and referral for prosecution under local, state, or federal law.

Alexandria Technical and Community College

Community

Self-Help Groups

Disciplinary Sanctions

Students

Administrative and legal sanctions, up to and including expulsion and referral for prosecution, will be imposed on students who violate the preceding standards of conduct.

Any students showing reasonable suspicion that they are under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance while on campus are subject to be dismissed from a classroom setting by the supervising college representative. This student shall be referred to an Administrator. Criminal violations will be referred to local law enforcement.

The student must make arrangements to be transported to their local residence. They may not drive themselves home, but must be transported either by a friend or a local cab service.

ATCC reserves the right to determine whether reasonable suspicion exists and the level of discipline to be applied to the student.

Employees

Employees must abide by the terms of ATCC Policy 5.18. Administrative and legal sanctions consistent with existing contracts, up to and including termination of employment and referral for prosecution, will be imposed on employees who violate the standards of conduct. A disciplinary sanction may include the completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program.

Distribution of Written Procedure

ATCC's procedure is in the Student Handbook, Employee Handbook, and is published on the ATCC policy/procedure website. One or more of these publications is sent via college e-mail, ATCC's official method of communication, to every student and employee annually. All new employees and students are provided with a copy of this procedure during their orientation session.

Related ATCC Documents:

• 5.18 Alcohol and Drug-Free Campus and Tobacco & Electronic Cigarettes on Campus
• Student Handbook

Approved by: Leadership Council

Effective Date: 7/14/2021

Next Review Date: July 2024

Archive: