Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Standards of Conduct 

Students and employees of St. Louis Community College assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the college’s function as an educational institution. Therefore, students and employees are expected to comply with local, state, and federal laws pertaining to alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, and illicit drugs. All faculty, staff, and students must comply with this policy as a condition of their employment or enrollment.

The manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, consumption, use or conveyance of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, and illegal drugs and/or possession of drug paraphernalia by any student on College property, at any College-sponsored student activity, or at STLCC approved classes, field trips, or activities off campus is strictly prohibited. This includes possession of alcoholic beverage containers.

No student shall be in an intoxicated condition which may be evidenced by disorderly, obscene, or indecent conduct or appearance, while on campus or at a college-approved event off campus. Faculty and staff members are prohibited from reporting to work under the influence of alcohol, chemicals, or drugs – including legally obtained prescription drugs which may impair one’s ability to perform normal work activities.

No student or employee shall furnish or cause to be furnished any alcoholic beverage to any person under the legal drinking age. Missouri under-age drinking laws will be enforced through legal referrals and/or reporting incidents to the St. Louis Community College Police Department and/or the appropriate Police Department with jurisdiction over the location of the incident.

All faculty and staff members must notify their immediate supervisor(s) within five (5) days of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace or in the conduct of College business.

Violations

Violations of the standards of conduct will be handled on a case-by-case basis following the appropriate policies and procedures applicable to faculty, staff, and students.

Student violations will be enforced through the policies set in the Code of Student Conduct. Sanctions may include verbal or written warnings, community service, probation, suspension, or expulsion.

Employee violations will be enforced through policies set in the appropriate faculty or staff handbooks and/or manuals. Disciplinary actions may include reprimand, warning, probation, reassignment, suspension without pay, or termination.

Sanctions for students and employees may also include referrals for appropriate counseling or to local law enforcement for prosecution for serious violations. If a student or employee is convicted of violating criminal laws pertaining to alcohol or drugs, they may be subject to civil action. Legal sanctions may include classes, community service, fines, prison terms, loss of driving privileges, or mandated rehabilitation programs.

The Drug-Free Workplace Act requires the College: (1) within 10 days after receiving notice that an employee has been convicted of any criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace or in the conduct of College business, to notify appropriate government agencies of such conviction; and (2) within 30 days after receiving such notice, to take appropriate personnel action against such employee up to and including termination and/or to require the employee to satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

Health Risks

Alcohol and other drug use can have dangerous and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Depending on which drug(s) are taken, the effects on the body and mental state can be significant. The physical problems associated with drug use may include loss of memory, slurred speech, blurred vision, and acting out violently. These can lead to complications in family and social relationships, as well as with work performance, and/or academic performance. Individuals who have a drug or alcohol addiction also are more likely to face financial difficulties, have more accidents, find themselves in legal troubles, and have other health problems.

Drugs

A detailed description of the health risks associated with abuse of controlled substances is provide on the site Drug Fact Sheets, published by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration.

Alcohol

Abuse of alcohol can produce severe health risks, including death. Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low-to-moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse. Moderate-to-high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects just described.

Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.

Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicated that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics.

Legal Sanctions

Federal Law

The Federal Controlled Substances Act prohibits the knowing, intentional, and unauthorized manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of any controlled substance or the possession of any controlled substance with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense. A detailed description of the penalties associated with illegal drug trafficking is provided in the chart, Federal Trafficking Penalties, published by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration.

Conviction for possession of illicit drugs results in 1 to 3 years imprisonment and a minimum fine of $1,000, unless the offense involves cocaine base (crack), which may carry mandatory imprisonment for up to 5 to 20 years.

The severity of the sanctions imposed for both possession and distribution offenses depend on the type and quantity of drugs, prior convictions, and whether death or serious injury resulted.

Sanctions may be increased for offenses which involve distribution to minors or occur on or near College premises. In addition, other federal laws require or permit forfeiture of personal or real property used to illegally possess, facilitate possession, transport, or conceal a controlled substance. A person’s right to purchase a firearm or receive federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, or professional or commercial licenses, may be revoked or denied as a result of a drug conviction. Additionally, federal law mandates that any student who has been convicted of an offense under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance shall not be eligible to receive any grant, loan, or work assistance during the period on the date of such conviction and ending after the interval specified.

Missouri Law

Conviction for possession of illicit drugs has a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000. If the offense of a marijuana possession of less than 35 grams, it is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of $1,000.

Section 195.214 of the Missouri statutes makes it a class A felony to distribute or deliver controlled substances on or near College property. Persons convicted of this offense can be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 10 years.

Missouri Penalties

A complete listing of Missouri substances, how they are placed on the schedule and additional drug information, can be found at: http://revisor.mo.gov/main/Home.aspx

Missouri Alcohol

Missouri’s Liquor Control Law (R.S.Mo. Section 311.325) makes it illegal for a person under the age of 21 years to purchase, attempt to purchase, or possess any intoxicating liquor. Violation of this provision can result in a fine between $50 and $1000 and/or imprisonment for a maximum term of one year. County and municipality ordinances contain similar prohibitions and sanctions.

Loss of Workers' Compensation Benefits

The Missouri Workers’ Compensation Act requires the forfeiture of benefits or compensation otherwise payable to an employee when the use of alcohol or non-prescribed controlled drugs is the proximate cause of the employee’s injury. At a minimum, the Act provides for a reduction in benefits or compensation when the employee is injured while using alcohol or non-prescribed controlled drugs.

Accidents Involving College-Owned Vehicles

The College reserves the right to require that an employee undergo immediate drug and/or alcohol testing if the employee is involved in a vehicular accident while driving a College-owned vehicle.

Inspections

When the College has reasonable grounds to suspect than an employee unlawfully manufactured, distributed, possessed or used controlled substances, alcohol or drug paraphernalia on College property or at any of its activities, the College reserves the right to inspect the employee’s locker, desk, or other College property under the control of the employee.

Available Counseling, Treatment, Rehabilitation, or Re-Entry Programs

Early recognition and treatment of drug or alcohol abuse are important for successful rehabilitation, and for reduced personal, family and social disruption. St. Louis Community College encourages the earliest possible diagnosis and treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, however, the decision to seek diagnosis and accept treatment for drug or alcohol abuse is the responsibility of the individual.

The College encourages faculty, staff and students to seek assistance in dealing with a substance abuse problem, or those problems of a family member, by contacting available resources. College resources include Counseling Services on each campus. You can reach counseling services district-wide by calling 314-539-5151, and the Employee Assistance Program: 800-356-0845.

Numerous non-College counseling programs exist in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Consultation with one’s personal physician is advised before self-referral to community programs. For further information regarding referral to other programs, contact the campus counseling centers or your private physician.

Nationally Recognized Resources

Al-Anon Family Groups (Al-Anon and Alateen)
al-anon.org
314-645-1574
Support groups for friends and families of problem drinkers

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.aa.org
800-344-2666
St. Louis, MO Central Service Office
www.aastl.org
314-647-3677

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
www.ncadd.org
800-NCA-CALL (800-622-2255)

St. Louis Area Affiliate
www.ncada-stl.org
314-962-34456

National Institute on Drug Abuse
www.drugabuse.gov
800-622-HELP (800-622-4357)
Informational and Referral service for Treatment