Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program and health risks
St. Clair County Community College Drug-Free Schools Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program (DAAPP)
As a requirement of the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 86), St. Clair County Community College is required to disseminate drug and alcohol policies and information to all students and employees on an annual basis. The purpose of this notification is to provide the campus community with details about the standards of conduct, policies, sanctions, legal penalties, and health information relating to drugs and alcohol. The College will provide currently enrolled students and employees with a copy of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program notice annually. This notice will be emailed to the student via their college student email. All employees will receive the notice through the college email system and the document will remain on the college web site for reference.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
ST. CLAIR COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD POLICY 2.9—DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
The Board of Trustees of St. Clair County Community College acknowledges that the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students or by employees is detrimental not only to the health and well-being of the employees and students but is also detrimental to the discharge of their respective responsibilities. Such use, possession or dispensing of illicit drugs or abuse of alcohol is inconsistent with the College purposes of higher education and the College’s attitude toward the use of drugs or alcohol by its students and employees.
- It shall be the policy of this College that there shall be no illicit use of drugs or abuse of alcohol allowed by students or employees on the College’s property or at or as a part of any institutional activity.
- No employee or student shall unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use any controlled substance or abuse of alcohol while on the College property or at any institutional activity.
Administration
- Any employee or student who shall violate the policy as set forth above shall be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal from employment or removal from the institution.
- Any employee who is working in a grant program shall agree to abide by the terms of this policy and shall agree to notify the College of any criminal drug statute conviction or violation occurring on the College premises. Such notification shall be made within five (5) days after such conviction. Employees acknowledge that the College will be notifying the federal funding agency of the grant of any such actual conviction. Employees and students are advised that the College will take appropriate disciplinary action against them for violating this policy including termination of employment or exclusion from school and may require such employee or student having been so convicted to participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved by a federal, state, or local governmental law enforcement agency or appropriate agency. In addition, employees and students violating this policy will be advised of the counseling and/or treatment and rehabilitation programs available including those operated through the County Mental Health.
- It is the College’s intention by establishing this drug-free and alcohol abuse workplace requirement that all employees and students will be aware of and advised of the dangers and abuses of using illicit drugs or of abusing the use of alcohol and the College’s commitment to maintain a drug-free and an abuse of alcohol-free campus.
- It is the intention of the College to, on an annual basis, make this policy and other information concerning the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol available to the employees and students.
Approved by Board of Trustees – July 13, 1989, revised: May 10, 1990, revised: November 19, 2009
Student Code of Conduct
Drug and Alcohol Violation
Intoxication, drug−altered states, and the possession, use, or sale of alcohol, illegal drugs, or related paraphernalia is strictly forbidden on campus or at or as part of any college-affiliated activity. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the possession of paraphernalia containing drug residue and the manufacturing or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substances. If students are experiencing problems with drugs and/or alcohol, they should contact the Residence Life and Student Conduct Manager for referral and intervention.
Student Sanctions
The college’s policy is to impose disciplinary sanctions based on the nature of the case. Significant mitigating or aggravating factors shall be considered, which may include the current demeanor and the presence or lack of a disciplinary or criminal record of the offender, as well as the nature of the offense and the extent of any damage, injury, or harm resulting from it. Students may appeal disciplinary actions through the due process procedures listed at sc4.edu/about/consumer-information.
Students charged under the Student Code of Conduct for drug and alcohol violations will face disciplinary sanctions up to and including, but not limited to, the following:
Verbal warning – Reported verbal reprimand.
Behavioral Contract – Formal, written notice that the student respondent will be expected to adhere to college expectations regarding their conduct as may be set forth in a behavior contract. Any violation of that contract may result in further disciplinary action.
Restriction of course attendance – Based on the violation, students may be temporarily or permanently restricted from class attendance or dropped from the class.
Censure − An official written reprimand for violation of specified regulations, including a warning that continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct will be cause for disciplinary action.
Disciplinary probation −The college may limit and/or monitor student participation in academic, privileged, or extracurricular activities for a specified period of time. Violation of the terms of disciplinary probation may result in suspension or expulsion from the college.
Suspension − Exclusion from classes and other privileges or activities, including access to college premises or college−sponsored activities off campus, as set forth in the notice of suspension, for a specified period of time. Any student who is suspended shall not be entitled to any tuition or fee refund and is barred from college premises in accordance with the suspension.
Restitution − Repayment to the college or to an affected party for damages, loss, or injury resulting from a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Expulsion − Termination of student status and exclusion from college privileges and activities, including access to college premises or college-sponsored activities off campus, in perpetuity. Any expelled student shall not be entitled to any tuition or fee refund and is barred from college premises.
Other sanctions may be imposed instead of or in addition to those specified above. Service projects may also be assigned. Students may be directed to have no contact with other students and/or be forbidden to access specified areas of campus. Access to technology and participation in college activities may be denied.
Employee Standard of Conduct
The Employee standard of conduct regarding drug and alcohol use/abuse, etc., is defined in the Board of Trustee’s Policy 2.9 Drug-free Workplace, as defined above in this document.
Employee Sanctions – Alcohol and Drugs
In the instance of employee misconduct, employees may be subject to progressive discipline up to and including discharge from employment. All disciplinary steps may not follow the progressive sequence listed below. Each offense will be judged on its own individual merits. The employee’s prior work history and the severity or repetition of offenses are factors that will influence the application of the progressive discipline process.
Any employee who violates the above standards/code of conduct through the use, possession or dispensing of illicit drugs or abuse of alcohol will be subject to any of the following sanctions or disciplinary action up to and including discharge, dismissal, and/or potential referral for prosecution.
Verbal Warning – Discussion with supervisor that employee has violated a rule, regulation, or reasonable expectation and that such violation should not continue. Verbal warnings are not required prior to the issuance of a written reprimand.
Written Reprimand – Notification in writing to an employee that he/she has violated a rule, regulation, or reasonable expectation and that such violation should not continue. Written reprimands are not required prior to the issuance of a suspension.
Conditional Employment – Requirements for employee to participate in training, drug abuse assistance, or rehabilitation programs as a condition of continued employment.
Suspension – Release from duty, with or without pay, for a specified period of time. Suspensions may vary in length according to the severity of the offense.
Discharge – The employment relationship is severed. Such action shall only be taken in coordination with the chief human resources officer.
As members of the college community, students and employees are also subject to city ordinances and to state and federal law. Arrest and prosecution for alleged violations of criminal law or city ordinances may result from an incident that may also violate the college’s code of conduct procedures, and thus, there may be times when a student or employee must address alleged violations through both the judicial/criminal and college processes.
Health Risks Associated with Drug and Alcohol Use
Substance use can contribute to a number of issues, including those that impact one’s health and wellness. These problems can include both short-term and long-term effects, as well as direct and indirect effects. Possible impacts may include but are not limited to, developing a substance abuse disorder, organ damage, increased risk of accidents, triggering or worsening psychiatric conditions, and risk of health complications that can be worsened by mixing drugs or medications. Misusing substances poses potential risks, including:
| Substance | Possible impacts include: |
| Alcohol | Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. Long-term use may damage the heart, causing cardiomyopathy, the stretching and drooping of heart muscle; arrhythmias, or an irregular heartbeat; stroke; or high blood pressure. |
| Ayahuasca | Strong hallucinations, including altered visual and auditory perceptions; increased heart rate and blood pressure; nausea; burning sensation in the stomach; tingling sensations; and increased skin sensitivity. |
| Cannabis (Marijuana/Pot/Weed) | Enhanced sensory perception and euphoria followed by drowsiness/relaxation; slowed reaction time; problems with balance and coordination; increased heart rate and appetite; problems with learning and memory; and anxiety. Long-term use could include mental health problems, chronic cough, and frequent respiratory infections. |
| Central Nervous System Depressants (Benzos), Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, and Sleep Medications | Drowsiness; slurred speech; poor concentration; confusion; dizziness; problems with movement and memory; lowered blood pressure; and slowed breathing. |
| Cocaine (Coke/Crack) | Narrowed blood vessels; enlarged pupils; increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; headache; abdominal pain and nausea; euphoria; increased energy or alertness; insomnia and restlessness; anxiety; erratic and violent behavior, panic attacks, paranoia, psychosis; heart rhythm problems or heart attack; and stroke, seizure, or coma. |
| Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) | Euphoria; drowsiness; nausea; vomiting; confusion; memory loss; unconsciousness; slowed heart rate and breathing; lower body temperature; seizures; coma; and death. |
| Hallucinogens (Ketamine, LSD, Mescaline, PCP, Psilocybin and Salvia) | Cause profound distortions to a person’s perceptions of reality; hallucinations or delusions; may lead to rapid and irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, and death; long-term use may result in loss of feeling, hearing and vision; can result in permanent damage to the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. |
| Heroin | Euphoria; dry mouth; itching; nausea; vomiting; analgesia; slowed breathing and heart rate. Long-term use could include collapsed veins; abscesses (swollen tissue with pus); infection of the lining and valves of the heart; constipation and stomach cramps; liver or kidney disease; and pneumonia. |
| Inhalants | Confusion; nausea; slurred speech; lack of coordination; euphoria; dizziness; drowsiness; disinhibition, lightheadedness, or hallucinations/delusions; headaches; sudden sniffing; death due to heart failure (from butane, propane, and other chemicals in aerosols); and death from asphyxiation, suffocation, convulsions, seizures, coma, or choking. Long-term use could include liver and kidney damage; bone marrow damage; limb spasms due to nerve damage; and brain damage from lack of oxygen that can cause problems with thinking, movement, vision, and hearing. |
| Ketamine | Problems with attention, learning, and memory; dreamlike states or hallucinations; sedation; confusion; loss of memory; raised blood pressure; unconsciousness; dangerously slowed breathing. Long-term use can cause ulcers and pain in the bladder; kidney problems; stomach pain; depression; and poor memory. |
| Khat | Euphoria; increased alertness and arousal; increased blood pressure and heart rate; depression; paranoia; headaches; loss of appetite; insomnia; fine tremors; and loss of short-term memory. Long-term use could include gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, ulcers, stomach inflammation, and increased risk of heart attack. |
| Kratom | Nausea; dizziness: itching: sweating; dry mouth; constipation; increased urination; and loss of appetite. Low doses: increased energy, sociability, and alertness. High doses: sedation, euphoria, decreased pain. Long term use could include anorexia; weight loss; insomnia; skin darkening; dry mouth; frequent urination; and constipation. It can also cause hallucinations with long-term use at high doses. |
| LSD (Acid) | Rapid emotional swings; distortion of a person’s ability to recognize reality, think rationally, or communicate with others; raised blood pressure, heart rate, or body temperature; dizziness; loss of appetite; tremors; and enlarged pupils. Long-term use could include frightening flashbacks (called Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder [HPPD]); ongoing visual disturbances; disorganized thinking; paranoia; and mood swings. |
| Club Drugs (MDMA or Ecstasy/Molly) | Lowered inhibition; enhanced sensory perception; increased heart rate and blood pressure; muscle tension; nausea; faintness; chills or sweating; and sharp rise in body temperature leading to kidney failure or death. Long-term use could include long-lasting confusion, depression, problems with attention, memory, and sleep; increased anxiety; impulsiveness; and less interest in sex. |
| Mescaline (Peyote) | Enhanced perception and feeling; hallucinations; euphoria; anxiety; increased body temperature, heart rate, or blood pressure; sweating; and problems with movement. |
| Methamphetamine (Chrystal/Meth) | Increased wakefulness and physical activity; decreased appetite; increased breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, or temperature; irregular heartbeat. Long-term use could include anxiety; confusion; insomnia; mood problems; violent behavior; paranoia; hallucinations; delusions; weight loss; severe dental problems; and intense itching leading to skin sores from scratching. |
| Over-the-Counter Medicines – Dextromethorphan (DXM) | Cough relief; euphoria; slurred speech; increased heart rate and blood pressure; dizziness; nausea; and vomiting. |
| Over-the-Counter Medicines – Loperamide | Controls diarrhea symptoms. In high doses, can produce euphoria. May lessen cravings and withdrawal symptoms of other drugs. |
| PCP (Angel Dust) | Delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, problems thinking, a sense of distance from one’s environment, and anxiety. Low doses: slight increase in breathing rate; increased blood pressure and heart rate; shallow breathing; face redness and sweating; numbness of the hands or feet; and problems with movement. High doses: nausea; vomiting; flicking up and down of the eyes; drooling; loss of balance; dizziness; violence; seizures; coma; and death. Long-term use may include memory loss, problems with speech and thinking, loss of appetite, and anxiety. |
| Prescription Opioids (Codeine, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Meperidine, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone) | Pain relief; drowsiness; nausea; constipation; euphoria; slowed breathing; and death. Long-term use could include increased risk of overdose or addiction if misused. |
| Prescription Stimulants (Speed) | Increased alertness, attention, and energy; increased blood pressure and heart rate; narrowed blood vessels; increased blood sugar; opened-up breathing passages. High doses: dangerously high body temperature and irregular heartbeat; heart disease; and seizures. Long-term use could include heart problems, psychosis, anger, and paranoia. |
| Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms/Shrooms) | Hallucinations; altered perception of time; inability to tell fantasy from reality; panic; muscle relaxation or weakness; problems with movement; enlarged pupils; nausea; vomiting; and drowsiness. Long-term use could include risk of flashbacks and memory problems. |
| Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam/Roofies) | Drowsiness, sedation, sleep; amnesia or blackout; decreased anxiety; muscle relaxation and impaired reaction time and motor coordination; impaired mental functioning and judgment; confusion; aggression; excitability; slurred speech; headache; and slowed breathing and heart rate. |
| Salvia | Short-lived but intense hallucinations; altered visual perception, mood, and body sensations; mood swings and feelings of detachment from one’s body; sweating. |
Steroids (Anabolic) | Builds muscles and improves athletic performance; acne; fluid retention (especially in the hands and feet); oily skin; yellowing of the skin; and infection. Long-term use could include kidney damage or failure; liver damage; high blood pressure, enlarged heart, or changes in cholesterol leading to increased risk of stroke or heart attack, even in young people; aggression; extreme mood swings; anger (“roid rage”); extreme irritability; delusions; impaired judgment. |
| Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice) | Increased heart rate; vomiting; agitation; confusion; hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia; and increased blood pressure. |
| Synthetic Cathinones (Bath Salts / Flakka) | Increased heart rate and blood pressure; euphoria; increased sociability and sex drive; paranoia, agitation, and hallucinations; violent behavior; sweating; nausea, vomiting; insomnia; irritability; dizziness; depression; panic attacks; reduced motor control; and cloudy thinking. Long-term use could include death. |
| Tobacco / Nicotine/Vaping | Increased blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate. Exposes lungs to a variety of chemicals. Vaping also exposes the lungs to metallic vapors created by heating the coils in the device. Long-term use could include greatly increased risk of cancer, especially lung cancer when smoked and oral cancers when chewed; chronic bronchitis; emphysema; heart disease; leukemia; cataracts; and pneumonia. |
Above information has been sourced from the following: For more information on drug and alcohol-related health risks, withdrawal symptoms, and treatment options, please visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse at nida.nih.gov/research-topics/commonly-used-drugs-charts#Alcohol (Updated September 19, 2023) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health
For more information about Fentanyl and its effects, please visit the Drug Enforcement Agency website at www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl
Prevention and Education
The college will provide students and employees with resources and programs that focus on the danger of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as the possible sanctions that may follow when an alcohol or drug policy or law violation occurs. The college will distribute literature informing employees and students of the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace and school setting and provide information on available services, including counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs.
The following programs are available for employees:
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is provided for employees and their household members, offering confidential counseling to assist with personal issues or job performance problems. All counselors are licensed, master’s level professionals and the sessions are free. If EAP professionals feel long-term treatment is necessary, referral will be recommended where the employee’s group health insurance may be accessed. Employees can contact the SC4 Human Resources Department for additional information or call 810-982-4980 to schedule an appointment directly with EAP.
Substance abuse treatment, including counseling and in-patient and out-patient care, is available through college group health plans. For more information, employees may contact the benefits manager in Human Resources at (810) 989-5523.
Alcohol and other drug programs for both students and employees on the college’s campus are delivered through the following methods:
Tutorial Education: All new students and employees will be enrolled in a Canvas-based tutorial to view the college-selected educational tutorial on drug and alcohol awareness.
Portal announcements and reminders are posted monthly to the student, staff, and faculty portals expanding on all aspects of this policy throughout the year.
Campus printed materials are available on campus addressing the dangers of drug and alcohol use, bystander intervention, sexual assault awareness, crime reporting, and resources for addiction assistance.
Information and Assistance for Alcohol or Drug Abuse
An important step in overcoming any problem is to know where to turn for assistance. Information, counseling, and treatment for alcohol or drug problems are available to employees and students through community resources and costs may be covered by health care benefits. Some of the resources include:
Alcohol/Addiction/Substance Abuse Services
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 810-987-8884
- Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center (connections to local recovery resources) 888-68-BWROC
- Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (counseling & recovery support) 810-987-9100
- Celebrate Recovery (recovery support), Hillside Wesleyan Church, 810-434-7011
- The Exchange (syringe program), St. Clair County Health Dept., 810-987-5300
- The Harbor for Youth (emergency shelter for youth 9-17 yo) 810-982-8584
- Huron House (alcohol/drug testing services) 810-984-8781
- Kairos Healthcare (free rehab center), Saginaw, 989-792-800
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Blue Water Area, 248-543-7200
- Professional Counseling Center (substance abuse counseling) 810-984-4202
- Port Huron Odyssey House, Inc (outpatient & recovery housing) 810-937-5366
- Region 10 Access Center (substance use help & program coordination) 888-225-4447
- Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center (outpatient, medication assisted treatment & recovery housing) 810-987-1258
- St. Clair County Community Mental Health (substance use disorder- screening, treatment & support) 810-985-8900
- Vision Quest Recovery (recovery support & transitional living solution) 810-937-6279
- SAMHSA National Helpline: Confidential free help from public health agencies to find substance use treatment and information: 1-800-662-4357
Campus Services
Campus Health, operated by the St. Clair County Health Department • Main Building Room 211 • (810) 989-5846
Campus Health offers a variety of services to enhance personal and community health, along with informative materials that encourage healthy lifestyles. The harm that often results from substance abuse is of great concern to our campus community; therefore, prevention and intervention programs are available to students and employees.
SC4 Student Wellness Department• Main Building Room 209 • (810) 989-5834 studentwellness@sc4.edu
Staff are available to help students with any personal problems or concerns. Students come to student wellness for a variety of reasons, including personal problems involving relationships with parents or peers, emotional or social difficulties, marital conflicts, concerns about academic progress, etc. Confidentiality is maintained to the extent provided by law.
Student wellness is also partnered with BetterMynd, an online therapy platform, to offer our students access to telehealth sessions with its licensed diverse network of mental health counselors. SC4 students can access free online therapy sessions through BetterMynd. Telehealth sessions are 50 minutes, private, confidential, and can take place on your laptop or smartphone. Sessions are available 24/7. BetterMynd also provides free self-help resources and group workshops to current and active students. Five telehealth sessions are available for any active college student, and additional sessions may be granted by contacting studentwellness@sc4.edu. For students who wish to continue counseling beyond the allotted sessions, the student may pay out of pocket for continued mental health counseling services for $85 per session to their BetterMynd therapist.
Student Wellness is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For after-hours crisis response, call the St. Clair County Community Mental Health Mobile Crisis Response Unit at (810) 966-2575 or 911. For on-campus student wellness information or appointments, call 810-989-5834
Legal sanctions under federal, state, and local law for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol
Effect of Violating Rules
In the event that the Drug-Free Workplace policy is violated, the college may subject state and federal law sanctions up to and including exclusion from the college campus and programs. A listing of the federal penalties can be found on the Drug Enforcement Administration website.
Federal Drug Laws
The possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs is prohibited by federal law. Strict penalties are enforced for drug convictions, including mandatory prison terms for many offenses. The following information, although not complete, is an overview of federal penalties for first convictions. All penalties are doubled for any subsequent drug conviction. For more information on federal drug laws, please visit the Drug Enforcement Agency website using the following links:
DEA Controlled Substances Act: www.dea.gov/drug-information/csa
DEA Drug Scheduling: www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
Denial of Federal Aid (20 USC 1091)
Under the Higher Education Act of 1998, students convicted under federal or state law for the sale or possession of drugs will have their federal financial aid eligibility suspended. This includes all federal grants, loans, federal work study programs, and more. Students convicted of drug possession will be ineligible for one year from the date of the conviction of the first offense, two years for the second offense, and indefinitely for the third offense. Students convicted of selling drugs will be ineligible for two years from the date of the first conviction and indefinitely for the second offense. Those who lose eligibility may regain eligibility by successfully completing an approved drug rehabilitation program.
Forfeiture of Personal Property and Real Estate (21 USC 853)
Any person convicted of a federal drug offense punishable by more than one year in prison shall forfeit to the United States any personal or property related to the violation, including houses, cars, and other personal belongings. A warrant of seizure is issued and property seized at the time an individual is arrested on charges that may result in forfeiture.
Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties (21 USC 841)
Penalties for federal drug trafficking convictions vary according to the quantity of the controlled substance involved in the transaction. The following list is a sample of the range and severity of federal penalties imposed for first convictions. Penalties for subsequent convictions are twice as severe.
If death or serious bodily injury result from the use of a controlled substance that has been illegally distributed, the person convicted on federal charges of distributing the substance faces a mandatory life sentence and fines ranging up to $8 million.
Persons convicted on federal charges of drug trafficking within 1,000 feet of a university (21 USC 845a) face penalties of prison terms and fines which are twice as high as the regular penalties for the offense, with a mandatory prison sentence of at least 1 year.
For more information regarding drug trafficking penalties, please visit the Drug Enforcement Agency website at www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/drug_of_abuse.pdf#page=30
Federal Drug Possession Penalties (21 USC 844)
Persons convicted on federal charges of possessing any controlled substance face penalties of up to 1 year in prison and a mandatory fine of no less than $1,000 up to a maximum of $100,000. Second convictions are punishable by not less than 15 days but no more than 2 years in prison and a minimum fine of $2,500. Subsequent convictions are punishable by no less than 90 days but no more than 3 years in prison and a minimum fine of $5,000. Possession of drug paraphernalia is punishable by a minimum fine of $750.
Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine impose a mandatory prison term of no less than 5 years but no more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000, or both if:
- It is a first conviction, and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 5 grams.
- It is a second conviction, and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams.
- It is a third or subsequent crack conviction, and the amount exceeds 1 gram.
Civil penalties of up to $10,000 may also be imposed for possession of small amounts of controlled substances, whether or not criminal prosecution is pursued.
