Potential Legal Consequences
Violations of laws and ordinances relating to drugs and alcohol also may result in
misdemeanor or felony convictions accompanied by the imposition of legal sanctions,
which include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Fines as determined under local, state, or federal laws;
- Imprisonment, including up to life imprisonment, for possession or trafficking in
drugs such as heroin and cocaine;
- Forfeiture of personal and real property;
- Denial of federal benefits such as grants, contracts and student loans;
- Loss of driving privileges;
- Required attendance at substance abuse education or treatment programs.
State Alcohol Sanctions - Under Michigan law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, consume
or possess, or have any bodily content of alcohol. The following summarizes some of
the potential legal consequences for violating state law.
- A first-time conviction may result in a fine, substance abuse education and treatment,
community service and court-ordered drug screenings.
- There also is a provision for possible imprisonment or probation for a second or subsequent
offense.
- The use of false identification by minors in obtaining alcohol is punishable with
a fine, loss of driver’s license, probation and community service.
- Individuals can be arrested and/or convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated
with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at .08 or higher. If a student is under
21, there is a “zero tolerance” law in the state of Michigan, and any blood alcohol
level of .01 or higher can lead to a minor in possession (MIP) citation as well as
being cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, if applicable. This is in addition
to suspension of driving privileges in the state of Michigan.
Health Risks Associated with Substance Abuse
Considerable health risks are associated with the abuse of controlled substances.
Substance abuse dramatically impairs employee and student performance, contributes
to absenteeism, and presents safety risks for not only the abusing employee or student,
but also to others within the College community. The following are general descriptions
of some of the health risks associated with substance abuse.
| ALCOHOL |
Loss of concentration and judgment; slowed reflexes; disorientation leading to higher
risk of accidents and problem behavior; risk of liver and heart damage, malnutrition,
cancer and other illnesses; can be highly addictive to some persons. |
| AMPHETAMINES |
Can cause rushed, careless behavior and pushing beyond your physical capacity, leading
to exhaustion; tolerance increases rapidly; causes physical and psychological dependence;
withdrawal can result in depression and suicide; continued high doses can cause heart
problems, infections, malnutrition and death. |
| CANNABIS |
Can cause permanent damage to lungs, reproductive organs and brain function; slows
reflexes; increases forgetfulness; alters judgment of space and distance. |
| COCAINE |
Cause damage to respiratory and immune systems; induces malnutrition, seizures and
loss of brain function. Some forms (such as “crack”) are highly addictive. |
HALLUCINOGENS
(PCP, LSD, ecstasy) |
Cause extreme distortions of what's seen and heard; induces sudden changes in behavior,
loss of concentration and memory; increases risk of birth defects in user's children;
overdose can cause psychosis, convulsions, coma and death. Frequent use can cause
permanent loss of mental function. |
INHALANTS
(Nitrous oxide,
Amyl nitrite,
Butyl nitrite,
Chlorohydrocarbons,
Hydrocarbons) |
Cause nausea, dizziness, fatigue, slurred speech, 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. |
NARCOTICS
(Heroin, morphine,
Opium, codeine) |
Highly addictive; tolerance increases rapidly; cause physical and psychological dependence;
overdose can cause coma, convulsions, respiratory arrest and death; leads to malnutrition,
infection and hepatitis. Sharing needles is a leading cause of the spread of HIV and
hepatitis. |
| SEDATIVES |
Tolerance increases rapidly; produces physical and psychological dependence; cause
reduced reaction time and confusion; overdoses can cause coma, respiratory arrest,
convulsions and death; withdrawal can be dangerous; in combination with other controlled
substances can quickly cause coma and death. |
Availability of Substance Abuse Rehabilitation and Counseling
The College offers educational and referral services to employees aimed at preventing
substance abuse and assisting in rehabilitation, if desired, to local agencies offering
such services. Interested employees should contact the Human Resources Specialist
(Benefits) at (248) 341-2029 or (248) 341-2030. All inquiries are confidential.
The College also offers educational and referral services to students aimed at preventing
substance abuse and assisting in rehabilitation, if desired, to agencies offering
such services. Interested students should contact the Counseling Department at any
campus. Phone numbers for those departments are available at the College website www.oaklandcc.edu.
All inquiries are confidential. Students may also contact the Oakland County Health Department .
Policy Dissemination
The College will provide employees with a copy of the Board of Trustees Drug and Alcohol
Abuse Free College Policy and the above provisions of this procedure, and they will
also be required to sign acknowledgement forms of these terms at New Employee and
New Faculty Orientations. A copy of the Board of Trustees Drug and Alcohol Abuse Free
College Policy and the above provisions of these procedures also will be posted on
the Public Safety website and the Adjunct Faculty website. Anyone may obtain a copy
of the formal policy.
The College will also include the Board of Trustees Drug and Alcohol Abuse Free College
Policy and the above provisions of these procedures in the College Catalog, Student
Handbook and Employee Handbook. Anyone may reference the Student Handbook.
The College will also annually disseminate an email including the Board of Trustees
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Free College Policy and the above provisions of these procedures
to all employees and students.
Biennial Review
The College shall conduct a biennial review of this Policy to: 1) determine its effectiveness
and implement changes, if needed; and 2) determine the number of drug- and alcohol-related
violations and fatalities that (i)occur on campus or during College activities; and
(ii) are reported to College officials.
Reviewed: 09-28-2023 - No Change
Reviewed: 10-20-2021 - Recommendations include: 1.) Embedding the College's formal
policy and procedure into the Public Safety webpage. 2.) Include a link to OCC Student
Handbook on the Public Safety webpage. 3.) Increase the narrative related to the College's
Drug and Alcohol policies in the Student Orientation.
Reviewed: 4-28-2020 – No Change