Drug and Alcohol Policy

1. PURPOSE
   1. James Sprunt Community College is committed to the maintenance and protection of an environment in which students and faculty members “can responsibly pursue their goals through learning, teaching, research, and discussion, free from internal or external restraints that would unreasonably restrict their academic endeavors.” Additionally, it is the obligation of all members of the college community - students, faculty, administration, and other employees - to help maintain an atmosphere where academic freedom thrives and in which the rights of each person within the college community are respected.
2. UNLAWFUL USE
   Illegal drug use poses a threat to higher education communities. Drugs endanger the health and safety of all persons within these communities and jeopardize the integrity of the pursuit of learning and teaching. Therefore, it is the policy of this college that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or alcohol, is prohibited while in the work place, on college premises or as part of any college-sponsored activities. Any employee or student violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution. The specifics of this policy are as follows:
   1. James Sprunt Community College does not differentiate between drug users, drug pushers, or sellers. Any employee or student who unlawfully possesses, uses, sells, gives, or in any way transfers a controlled substance or alcohol to another person, or manufactures a controlled substance or alcohol while in the work place, on college premises, or as a part of any college-sponsored activity, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution.
   2. The term “controlled substance” means any drug listed in 21 CFR Part 1308 and other federal regulations; as well as, those listed in Article V, Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Generally, these are drugs which have a high potential for abuse. Such drugs include, but are not limited to, Heroin, Marijuana, Cocaine, PCP, and “Crack.” They also include “legal drugs” which are not prescribed by a licensed physician. Alcoholic Beverages include beer, wine, whiskey, and other beverages listed in Chapter 18B of the General Statutes of North Carolina.
   3. If any employee or student is convicted of violating any criminal drug or alcoholic beverage control statute while in the college workplace, on college premises, or as a part of any college-sponsored activity, he or she will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion. Specifically, any such person who is convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor which results in an active prison sentence will, if a student, be expelled, or if an employee, be terminated from employment. Other misdemeanor convictions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the penalties to be imposed may range from written warnings or mandatory counseling or rehabilitation to expulsion from enrollment or discharge from employment. Any person charged with a violation of these “Unlawful Use” policies may be suspended from enrollment or employment before initiation or completion of disciplinary proceedings if the Chief of Staff determines that the continued presence of such person within the college community would constitute a clear and immediate danger to the health or welfare of other members of the community after an appropriate predetermination inquiry.
   4. Each employee is required to inform HR, and students to inform Associate Vice President of Student Services in writing, within five (5) days after he or she is convicted of violation of any federal, state, or local criminal drug or alcoholic beverage control statute where such violation occurred while in the college workplace, on college premises, or as a part of any college-sponsored activity. A conviction means a plea of or a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) and the imposition of a judgment by a judge sitting with or without a jury in any federal or state court.
   5. The Chief of Staff or HR must notify the U. S. governmental agency from which a grant was made within (10) days after receiving notice from the grant employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of a drug conviction. Disciplinary action against the convicted employee must be undertaken by the college within 30 days. As a condition of employment on any federal government grant, the law requires all employees to abide by this policy.
   6. A description of applicable state sanctions and the health risks associated with the use of both illicit drugs and alcohol is attached and included as a part of this policy.

Additional Policy:

No employee, student, or guest shall knowingly use or be under the influence of any non-prescribed narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind on the College campus; however, the legal use of alcoholic beverages may be allowed as appropriate at selected off-campus college-sponsored activities. Faculty and staff that violate this policy should be referred to their Supervisor and/or the Chief of Staff and/or Director of Human Resources. Students should be referred to the Associate Vice President of Student Services, or designee, for disciplinary action.