Alcohol & Drug Awareness: Student & Employee Guide

Do you, or someone you know, need help?

NMC is committed to providing a drug-free workplace and learning environment — free of alcohol and illegal drugs.

The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program has been established to prevent the illegal use of alcohol and other drugs on campus, and to support health, safety, and wellness on all NMC’s campuses. This page has been created in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 to prevent the illegal use of drugs and alcohol on campus.

Drug-Free Campus

NMC does not permit the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances on any NMC owned or controlled property.
To comply with Federal guidelines, NMC cannot make any exceptions to the policy for the use of medical marijuana.

Standards Of Conduct

NMC’s students, employees and visitors will follow all federal, state, and local laws and College regulations governing the use and possession of alcohol and illicit drugs. All students, employees, and visitors are specifically forbidden to use, possess, distribute, or dispense alcoholic beverages while on College property or violate laws and regulations pertaining to the use, distribution, dispensation, or possession of a controlled substance.

(For NMC’s guidelines on serving alcohol at events, see policy D-505.08.)

Student & Employees

No student or employee will report to class, work, or NMC functions evidencing any effects of alcohol or illegal drugs. While on NMC premises and while attending College-related activities off NMC premises, no student or employee may use, possess, distribute, sell, or be under the influence of illegal drugs.

A student or employee is considered under the influence of an illegal drug if it is in his/her system regardless of the quantity or whether it impairs behavior. The legal use of prescribed drugs is permitted if the person does not endanger him/herself or others at work, in class, or any College-related functions. See policy D-744.01 and policy D-744.02 policy pages for more information.

Health Risks

Alcohol: Alter mood and behavior, heart problems, stroke, liver damage/disease, pancreatitis, cancer, lower immune system, death.

Cannabis (Marijuana): Impaired short-term memory, drowsiness, attention, judgment, coordination and balance; increased heart rate. Smoking related: chronic cough; bronchitis; lung and upper airway cancers is undetermined.

Stimulants/Prescription Stimulants: Irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperature, potential for cardiovascular failure, seizures, anxiety, hostility, paranoia, psychosis; addiction, death.

Methamphetamine: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, Addiction, memory loss; weight loss; impaired cognition; insomnia, anxiety, irritability, confusion, paranoia, aggression, mood disturbances, hallucinations, violent behavior; liver, kidney, lung damage; severe dental problems; cardiac and neurological damage; HIV, Hepatitis, death.

Inhalants: Confusion; nausea; slurred speech; lack of coordination; dizziness; drowsiness; disinhibition, light-headedness, hallucinations/ delusions; headaches; suffocation; convulsions/seizures; hypoxia; heart failure; coma; sudden sniffing death (butane, propane, and other chemicals in aerosols).

For a complete list of health risks associated with drug and alcohol use, visit drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs-charts.

Sanctions & Disciplinary Actions

Individuals who violate these regulation, rules, and procedures will be subject to disciplinary action by the College, which may include:

• Counseling
• Probation
• Suspension
• Referral to local law enforcement agencies

Conviction of illegal possession, use, sale, manufacture, and distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs may result in disciplinary action by the College, in addition to penalties imposed by the legal system.