NP 3-24.01 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:

I.       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.

II.      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.

III.     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.

IV.    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.

V.     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.