Campus Drug & Alcohol Policies

Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ON CAMPUS OR AS PART OF ANY COLLEGE ACTIVITY

Standards of Conduct for Students and Employees:

In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), students, staff, or faculty shall not engage in the unauthorized or unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use/abuse of alcohol and/or illicit drugs on college property or as part of any college activity.

Legal Sanctions

Any student, staff, or faculty who are convicted of the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use, or abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol is subject to criminal penalties under local, state, or federal law. These penalties range in severity from a fine of $100 up to $8,000,000 and/or life imprisonment. The exact penalty assessed depends upon the nature and the severity of the individual offense. The possession and/or consumption of alcohol by a minor is addressed in Appendix A, 18-13-122.

College Sanctions

The college will impose penalties against students who violate the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226). Violators will be subject to disciplinary action under student disciplinary policies. The sanctions include but are not limited to probation, suspension, or expulsion from the college, termination of student employment, and referral to authorities for prosecution, as appropriate. The Student Handbook can be found on the PCC website at https://pueblocc.edu/Student_Handbook.

Employees may be subject to corrective and/or disciplinary action as per State Personnel Rules and Regulations, up to and including termination.

Health Risks

A myriad of health risks are associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Risks include but are not limited to: malnutrition, brain damage, heart disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, mental illness, death, low birth weight babies, and babies with drug addictions. Personal relationships, family dynamics, ability to work and study are also at risk. Further information on health risks is available in the Human Resource Services Office, Pueblo Community College Health Center, local health department, and local hospital via brochures, videos, and educational programs presented throughout the year. In addition, specific health risks are listed in Appendix B.

Treatment and Referral

Referral for counseling, treatment, rehabilitation and treatment programs can be found at the Human Resource website at https://pueblocc.edu/TitleIX/Resources, Health Clinic’s website at https://pueblocc.edu/Health_Clinic, or throughout the community. Referral programs and resources can be found in Appendix C.

PREVENTION PROGRAM – STUDENTS

Alcohol Abuse

Pueblo Community College provides crisis intervention and referral services for students with issues with alcohol use and abuse. These services are provided through the PCC Health Clinic in partnership with Pueblo Community Health Center located in the Medical Technology Building, Room, 118.

The College will provide education and awareness programs that will address the affects and dangers of alcohol abuse. These programs will be offered on each PCC campus annually and will vary during the academic year.

Campus Survey

Pueblo Community College has conducted student surveys regarding their concerns about drug and alcohol use and abuse, and asking students what the College can do to address their concerns. The small sample of students who responded did not identify any specific concern about either alcohol or drugs that the College would need to address. As a result, the College determined to offer general programs on alcohol and drug abuse awareness.

Drug Abuse

Pueblo Community College provides crisis intervention and referral services for students with issues with drug use and abuse. These services are provided through the PCC Health Clinic in partnership with Pueblo Community Health Center located in the Medical Technology Building, Room, 118.

The College is partnering with the Colorado Department of Social Services, Pueblo Diocese Catholic Charities, and many other referral agencies to provide PCC students with care. Education and awareness programs will address the affects and dangers of drug abuse. The College will focus on alcohol and marijuana, cocaine, and heroin use and abuse annually during academic year. Heroin has been identified as a drug of choice that is being widely used in the Pueblo area. The College has decided to respond to heroin use and abuse in its drug awareness and prevention program. These programs will be offered on each PCC campus.

Use and Possession of Marijuana is Prohibited on Campus:

Colorado law may allow certain marijuana related activities, such as limited medical marijuana use and other recreational use and possession; however, using and possessing marijuana in any form remains a crime under federal law. Since PCC receives federal grants and contracts we are required to follow federal laws under provision Title 21 of the United States Code Controlled Substance Act. Also, PCC adheres to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989. As a member of the Community Colleges of Colorado, PCC adheres to the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education BP 3-24 (https://cccs.edu/policies-and-procedures/board-policies/bp-3-24-drug-fr…), Drug-Free Workplace Policy. Federal laws require the college to prohibit the use of marijuana on campus.

PCC prohibits the possession, use, or selling of marijuana in any form on campus and during PCC activities. This includes all open areas, buildings, and parking lots. Any employee or student found possessing, using, or selling marijuana on any PCC campus and/or facilities may be charged criminally by the PCC Police Department. Students may also face disciplinary sanctions for Student Code of Conduct Violations.

If you suspect someone of possessing, using, or selling marijuana on campus or at college sponsored events please contact the PCC Police Department at 719-549-3355; visit the PCC website (https://pueblocc.edu), scroll down to the bottom of the page to Quick Links, Services and fill out the document entitled “Report a Concern or Incident.” You may also report anonymously to Safe2Tell. Safe2Tell is an anonymous reporting method that can alert the college about a concern or threat. To access Safe2Tell you can either call the toll free number at 1.877.542.7233 or submit an online report tip on the Safe2Tell website (http://www.safe2tell.org).

VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND DRUG/ALCOHOL REFERRAL PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES

APPENDICES A-C

Contact

PCC Police Department

Student Center, Room 103
Gorsich Advanced Technology Center, Room 131

You may request a copy of the PCC Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program by contacting the Office of the Vice President of Student Success at 719-549-3080.