Section 8: Alcohol, Drug, and Substance Abuse Policies

Drug Free and Alcohol-Free Campus

NJC abides by a “zero tolerance” policy for drugs and alcohol. The NJC policy for Drug Free and Alcohol-Free Campus is included in the current Student Policy Handbook and is made available to all students and staff per the campus web site or in hardcopy upon request. The college does not allow the possession, consumption, or sale of alcohol or drugs on campus or at any college sponsored events. “Under the Influence,” where a person has detectable signs of using alcohol or drugs, will be considered a college violation. Any student under the legal age will be subject to the educational sanctions required by the college. Do not bring drugs or alcohol onto the campus and do not come to the campus under the influence. For assistance call (970) 521-6663.

IP 2.05 Drug-Free Workplace/Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Northeastern has a vital interest in maintaining a safe, healthful, and efficient working environment for its employees, students, and the public. Employees, and student workers, who are impaired by alcohol or other drugs during work hours may pose safety and health risks, not only to themselves, but also to others.

Therefore, to ensure a safe working environment, it is Northeastern’s intent that the use of alcohol, other drugs, or controlled substances that result in job impairment is

prohibited. Likewise, it is the policy of the State of Colorado, CCCS, and Northeastern that illegal possession, manufacture, use, sale, or transfer of a controlled substance on state property or during work hours by its employees is prohibited. Violations of this procedure will be cause for administrative intervention that may result in referral to mandatory treatment and/or to corrective or disciplinary actions up to and including termination.

Reference: BP 19-30 Compliance with Drug Free Schools Amendment; BP 3-24 Drug-Free Workplace; SP 3-24 Implementation of Drug-Free Workplace; State of Colorado Substance Abuse Policy

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM

Northeastern is a Community College governed by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (Board). Board Policy 19-30, Drug Free Schools, requires the College to comply with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Amendments of 1989 (PL 101-226 in federal law). The College has adopted the following Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program:

Standard of Conduct

In compliance with the federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, Northeastern prohibits the unlawful manufacture, dispensation, possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance (illicit drugs and alcohol) of any kind and in any amount including marijuana. These prohibitions cover any individual’s actions which are part of any College activities, including those occurring while on College property or in the conduct of College business away from the campus.

Legal Sanctions for Violation of the Standards of Conduct.

Any student or employee who is convicted of the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use/abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol is subject to criminal penalties under local, state and federal law. A single federal drug offense can carry a fine of up to $4,000,000.00 and/or life in prison. At the state level, the most serious single drug offense carries a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 and up to 32 years imprisonment and the least serious single drug offense carries a fine of up to $5,000.00 and/or up to 18 months imprisonment.

State laws regulating the production, dispensation, possession, and use of alcohol are in Titles 12 and 18 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. A person under the age of 21 who possesses or consumes alcohol may be subject to a fine of $100.00 and/or mandated substance abuse education for a first time offense. Provision of alcohol to any person under the age of 21, a visibly intoxicated person, or a known alcoholic may be punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.00 and a one-year jail sentence. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor can result in a $500,000.00 fine and an eight-year imprisonment.

Under Title 42 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can be subject to a $1,000.00 fine, up to one year in jail, license revocation, and community service for a first time offense.

Finally, depending on where the College is located, local ordinances may also impose a variety of offenses for drug and alcohol violations. More information can be found at: Code of Ordinances by Town

Overall, the exact penalty assessed depends upon the nature and severity of the individual offense, as well as prior convictions.

Penalties Which May be Imposed by the College

Students and/or employees who violate the above standard of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the applicable employee and student disciplinary policies and procedures. The sanctions may include, but are not limited to, a requirement to complete an appropriate rehabilitation or re-entry program, discipline up to and including expulsion for students and termination for employees, and/or referral to authorities for prosecution.

Health Risks Associated With Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

Health risks associated with drug and alcohol abuse include, but are not limited to: malnutrition, brain damage, heart disease, and pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, mental illness, death, low birth weight babies, and babies with drug addictions.

Available Counseling, Treatment, Rehabilitation or Re-entry Programs

Information on available counseling, treatment, rehabilitation or re-entry programs is available at Northeastern or the Colorado Department of Health.

Student Specific

Description of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Education Programs

The Student Services Department at NJC provides the alcohol and drug education program for the campus community. The philosophy behind the program is threefold: education, intervention and prevention. The purpose is to educate the campus community about responsible behaviors with regard to alcohol and drugs, to intervene when alcohol and/or drug use interferes with a healthy lifestyle, and to offer lifestyle options that prevent the onset of problems that can result from irresponsible use of alcohol and use of drugs.

In addition, housing regulations at NJC prohibit the use and/or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs in college housing. The alcohol and drug education program incorporates a component that addresses this regulation and serves as part of the disciplinary and education procedure for students who violate this policy.

The Student Success Center and Student Life departments work closely to deliver education and prevention programs:

The NJC Alcohol and Drug Policy is discussed during small group orientation sessions at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, and in freshman seminar classes.
The Student handbook, including the drug and alcohol policies and procedures, are posted in the D2L student shell.
Post-card sized documents with the alcohol and drug policy are distributed across campus (education buildings, residence halls, library, Student Center).
The Alcohol-Wise and Marijuana-Wise on line programs are required of each new student. Alcohol-Wise is a brief alcohol abuse prevention program. Students are to complete it during the summer months before they arrive for New Student Orientation. In 2018-19, these programs had an 84% completion rate. In 2019-2020, they had a 94% completion rate
During mandatory floor meetings, the RA’s and the Hall Directors explain the NJC Alcohol and Drug policy to residents.
When students are referred for alcohol and/or drug violations, part of the sanction is a mandatory meeting with the NJC Guidance Coordinator. During this meeting, the guidance coordinator and the student discuss the incident, as well as the role and affect that alcohol and/or drugs have in the student’s life.
With a Level I and a Level II Alcohol Sanction, students complete a written assessment of need. The results of this assessment are discussed with the student during the meeting with the Guidance Coordinator. If it is determined that additional counseling may be required, the student is referred to outside alcohol counseling service providers.
With a Level I and a Level II Drug Sanction, students complete a written assessment of need. The results of this assessment are discussed with the student during the meeting with the Guidance Coordinator. If it is determined that additional counseling may be required, the student is referred to outside drug counseling service providers.
NJC Student Success Center staff make presentations in residence halls throughout the year. Impaired driving and Alcohol Poisoning are topics that are regularly covered and discussed with NJC residents.
Referral: Should a student, faculty or staff member exhibit maladjusted behaviors involving the use of alcohol and/or other drugs that warrant more intensive therapy beyond our program, a recommendation is made to contact one of the local counseling agencies. Under circumstances where the policy has been violated, the college may require referral to an alcohol and/or drug rehabilitation program. Finally, under circumstances where an individual is perceived to be a danger to him/her or others as a result of alcohol and/or drug use, the college reserves the right to involuntarily refer the individual to the appropriate treatment facility or agency.