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Policies: Substance Abuse Policy

  1. Purpose — Gloucester County College (the “College”) acknowledges that substance abuse is a serious and complex, but treatable, condition/disease; it may negatively affect the productivity of students, the stability of the institution, and could be a condition which endangers students. It may also have an adverse effect on the personal and family lives of students.
    The purpose of this policy is to:
    1. Ensure that the College learning environment for students and the public is safe, orderly, and free of illegal activity.
    2. Comply with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, 41 U.S.C. *701, et seq, and other relevant substance abuse laws.
    3. Provide students with access to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation assistance for substance abuse and literature on documented health risks resulting from substance abuse.

    The College is dedicated to educating its students about substance abuse and maintaining a drug-free learning environment. In addition to education, the College may discipline students who are involved in substance abuse. To further the goals of this policy, each student shall receive a copy of this policy and shall have available to them a copy of the Student Handbook.

  2. Alcoholic Beverages — Except at specific functions approved by the College, the use, possession, or sale of alcoholic beverages on campus is strictly forbidden. It is also strictly forbidden to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages while engaged in College-related activities, or while on the College campus. When authorized by the College, the use of alcoholic beverages by students at College functions shall be in strict accordance with College, local, and state regulations.

  3. Controlled Substances — Unless prescribed by a doctor, the manufacture, use, possession, sale, distribution, or being under the influence of narcotics, chemicals, psychedelic drugs, or other controlled substances by an individual engaged in College-related activities or while on the College campus is illegal and strictly forbidden.

  4. Sanctions — Persons violating these policies will be subject to applicable civil and criminal penalties. College-connected persons further will be subject to College disciplinary action, which may include suspension or dismissal.

  5. Assistance — As part of its policy on substance abuse, the College provides support for students in the following ways:

    1. Provision of student assistance programs which provide counseling and referral for students who are experiencing substance abuse problems.
    2. College sponsorship of informational programs and activities related to substance abuse.
    3. Promotion of alcohol and drug rehabilitation groups encouraged to meet on campus.
    4. Inclusion of substance abuse education information in orientation, health courses, support groups, drug and alcohol education programs, advising, student publications, and bulletin boards.

Definition of Terms Used

The terms listed below when used in this policy have the following meanings unless otherwise specified:

Abuse – The use of mood or performance-altering substances for other than medical purposes as directed by a physician.

Alcohol – Any beverage containing a percentage of alcohol which is prohibited from sale and/or possession by individuals under 21 years of age (N.J.S.A. 33:1-1).

Controlled Substances – Any drug or alcoholic beverage, including prescribed medication, as identified in N.J.S.A. 24:21-2, or Schedules I through V, or Section 202 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. *812).

Criminal Drug Statute – Means a criminal statute involving the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, use, or possession of any Controlled Substance.

Statement of Confidentiality – Means the non-disclosure of information voluntarily communicated by a student to a college referral source where the student confidentially seeks substance abuse assistance, except that the referral source shall not be bound to honor a request for confidentiality where the information (i) discloses an intent to commit a criminal act; (ii) indicates an imminent risk of harm to the student or to other persons or property; (iii) reveals possessing of a controlled substance on the College campus; or (iv) indicates substance abuse by a student whose participation in a clinical program, course of study leading to licensure, athletic program, or student employment for the College is conditioned upon consent to disclosure of information relevant to determination of physical and psychological qualification and fitness for the program or activity.

Student Assistance Program – Means student counseling services provided by the College and any successor counseling services provided as a result of appropriate College referrals.

Referral Source – In the instance of students, means Counselors or Health Services personnel.

Reasonable Suspicion – Suspicion of possible alcohol or controlled substance abuse, or possession based upon observations or statements of concern by College Staff, students, relatives, friends, physicians, counselors, or law enforcement authorities, or based upon observation of an individual’s physical condition or behavior, including erratic attendance, job performance, or academic performance.

Procedures

  1. Voluntary Request for Assistance – Students are encouraged to seek help for problems with substance abuse. Counseling services and Health Services provide for direct assistance and confidential referral services for students seeking help with a substance abuse problem.
  2. Involuntary Referral – A person having Reasonable Suspicion of substance abuse by a student, shall so advise the Offices of Student Development and/or Health Services. A check list of suspicious physical or behavioral manifestations shall be completed immediately by the referring source. The referring source shall meet with the student and provide the student with disclosure in writing of the Counseling Confidentiality Guidelines in this policy. If the student voluntarily offers information that he or she has a substance abuse problem, a referral will be made immediately to an appropriate treatment agency.
  3. Temporary Suspension – Where there is Reasonable Suspicion of substance abuse the Vice President of Student Services, if the vice president deems it necessary to assure the safety and health of the students or others, may suspend a student from classroom attendance, a clinical or work program, athletic program, or other College functions, until a substance abuse determination is made.
  4. Substance Abuse Evaluation – When Reasonable Suspicion exists that a student has a substance abuse problem and the student denies that charge, the Referral Source shall evaluate the student’s statements, attendance records, and those statements or observations forming the basis for Reasonable Suspicion of substance abuse or possession. The counselor or nurse may request that the student voluntarily submit to drug testing, or be independently evaluated, at the expense of the College, by a recognized substance abuse center.
  5. Evaluation Report – If the referral source determines that the student is engaged in substance abuse, such determination, together with a recommended referral, shall be submitted to the Vice President of Student Services. The referral source shall offer the student an opportunity to discuss the evaluation report prior to submission of the same to the Vice President of Student Services. Upon receipt of a report that the student is engaged in substance abuse, the Vice President of Student Services may impose long-term suspension of the student and conditional return to school or any clinical or work program, athletic program, or other College function upon submission of evidence of successful completion of an approved rehabilitation and treatment program. The College reserves the right to impose further conditions and limitations on the student’s return to the College as recommended by the professionals supervising the student’s rehabilitation and treatment.
  6. Discipline – While this policy is intended to encourage students engaging in substance abuse to seek treatment, nothing contained in this policy shall preclude the College from imposing appropriate discipline for violation of student conduct codes. Recidivism, refusal to participate in a recommended treatment program, or refusal to submit to substance abuse evaluation to verify fitness to continue or be reinstated to an academic, athletic, or other program shall be grounds for a dismissal from the College. (Policy 7041)

Local Resources

Alcoholics Anonymous, Cherry Hill
856-424-8666 or 1-800-ALCOHOL

Camden County Health Department
856-757-8606

Gloucester County Health Department
856-853-3429

Salem County Health Department
856-935-7510, Ext. 485