Maintaining A Drug-Free Workplace

POLICY STATEMENT:

North Country Community College is committed to the development and maintenance of a drug-free environment. In accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, NCCC will not tolerate the illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance on its premises.

Premises includes College-provided offices, work location and/or classrooms, lockers, lounges, eating areas, gymnasiums, parking lots, off-campus sites used to conduct student activities, properties controlled by the College and any vehicle engaged in College operations.

Prohibited items and substances include illegal drugs and other mind-controlling substances, inhalants, prescription drugs (excepting those prescribed by a doctor for the person possessing same in their original container), and equipment related to illegal drug or substance use or manufacture.

REPORTING PROCEDURE:

Each College employee (including student employees) as well as those newly hired at the time of their orientation, will be notified of the NCCC Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program Plan with emphasis on the obligation for compliance as a condition of employment.

Any College employee convicted of a criminal drug statute violation which has occurred in or on College owned or operated premises or vehicles shall provide his or her appropriate Dean or the President notification, preferably written, of such conviction, including any resultant conditions, within five (5) days of conviction. Student employees shall notify the Dean of Student Affairs.

Upon receiving notification, a Dean shall immediately provide, in writing, notice to the College President to permit proper notice to be sent to federal contracting agencies where applicable.

The College will offer ongoing drug education and awareness programs for the College community as well as provide drug informational materials. Faculty, staff and students are expected to avail themselves of these programs and materials. (Adopted by the Board of Trustees 12-21-98, Resolution 1989-90-1205).

SANCTIONS:

Disciplinary Sanctions: Student and Employee:

Please note that students, employees and student employees who are found in violation of the law will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement officials as well as being subject to College disciplinary action.

Student, Employee and Student Employee Discipline
All members of the College community should read the full text of the NCCC Code of Conduct - Individual Rights and Responsibilities as approved by the NCCC Board of Trustees for detailed information including time guidelines. What follows is a summary of disciplinary action if a student violates NCCC’s policy on drug and alcohol use and abuse.

1. All charges must be detailed and submitted in writing to the Office of the appropriate Dean by the individual(s) initiating such charges.

2. The individual believed to be in violation of the NCCC Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Plan will be notified by registered letter of the charges, when they should appear for a consultation meeting, and their right to a hearing.

3. At the above-mentioned consultation meeting the student, employee or student employee will be advised of his/her rights in the proceedings and any possible consequences stemming from the allegations. Students will have all charges reviewed.

4. Sanctions imposed, if any, will be in accordance with the provisions of the NCCC Code of Conduct - Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.

Legal Sanctions:
There are local, state and federal laws prohibiting the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. New York law offers penalties ranging from 15 days to life in prison and up to $3 million in fines. Penalties are based upon the amount of substance involved, the nature of the offense, and the number of prior offenses.
Each of our campus communities has an “open container” law. Local ordinance #3-1 in Saranac Lake, for instance prohibits possession of any alcoholic beverage in an unsealed container on public streets or park property within the village.

New York also prohibits storage, manufacturing, or counterfeiting of drugs; using children for drug distribution or manufacturing; distributing to children or prisoners; and distribution “within 1,000 feet of a private or public school.” There are also penalties for use or purchase of alcohol by a minor on any premises owned by an adult; injury or death by providing alcohol to minors or adults; falsification of proof of age to obtain alcohol; sale of alcohol within 1,000 feet of a church and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of any intoxicant or drug. Altering a driver’s license will result in revocation of driving privilege by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

Federal laws include similar provisions with penalties ranging to life in prison with fines reaching $8 million for individuals. Personal property may be confiscated; federal benefits (such as “student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses”) may be affected; and the right to receive or purchase firearms may be lost.

RESOURCES:

Resources: College and Community:

North Country Community College has a goal of educating its students to be productive in their personal lives and career choices. The College also seeks to foster this same goal for its employees. Since drug and alcohol abuse is nationally recognized as the major cause of diminished productivity, NCCC is committed to assisting students and employees in obtaining education and, when necessary, treatment in this area. To this end the following resources are offered:

Prevention and Education
Throughout the academic year the College, through the Student Affairs Department, offers seminars, lectures and films for the general campus community regarding issues associated with drug and alcohol use. Brochures and pamphlets which address the psychological and health issues connected with specific drugs are located in several areas on each campus. The counseling offices and the LRC have a broad spectrum of educational materials available to faculty, staff and students.

Counseling
The counseling staff at NCCC offers short term counseling for students on drug and alcohol related issues. The focus of the counseling will be education and assessment. Counselors, when necessary, will make an appropriate referral. The student assumes responsibility for the cost of any medical or psychological services provided by private physicians, psychologists or medical/psychiatric facilities. It is the responsibility of the student to ascertain which treatments are covered under their health insurance coverage.

In addition to individual counseling, a variety of support groups are offered in each community or area where NCCC campuses are located.
Employees seeking counseling for drug and alcohol issues will need to contact service providers in the community. The counseling office can provide a list of social services providers and 12-step support groups such as AA, Al-Anon, and Adult Children of Alcoholics. The employee health insurance may cover part or all treatment for the patient and the patient’s family. In cases where the employee’s health insurances does not pay the full amount of services, the employee will assume responsibility for all remaining costs.

CURRICULUM AND AGENCIES:

Drug and alcohol information is incorporated into a wide variety of courses at NCCC.

REGIONAL REFERRAL AGENCIES:
Essex County

Essex County DWI: 873-3630
Substance Abuse Prevention Team: 585-7424

North Country Council on Alcoholism: 873-3261

St. Joseph’s Outpatient Clinic:

Ticonderoga 585-7934
Elizabethtown 873-9144

Franklin County
St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center: 891-3950

St. Joseph’s Outpatient Clinic:
Saranac Lake 891-5353
Malone 483-6566
Tupper Lake 359-9627

North Star Substance Abuse Services
Malone 483-8980
Saranac Lake 891-2467

Franklin County Stop DWI: 483-6767 extension 697

St. Regis Mohawk Health Services:

Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Program 358-3141

TOBACCO USE POLICY:

A. The use of tobacco products by any member of the College community, including guests in any building owned, operated, or controlled by the College is prohibited, and all such buildings are to be designated tobacco free;

B. The use of tobacco products is prohibited within 25 feet of any building owned, operated, or controlled by the College, to include entrances, windows, and ventilation intake systems. Use of tobacco products is permitted only in outside areas completely open to the air. If wayward tobacco smoke intrudes on an interior workspace, smokers located at any distance from a building will be asked to relocate to another area;

C. The use of tobacco products is prohibited within 50 feet of the designated Main Entrances of any College building. Said entrance will be clearly marked for smoke sensitive individuals;

D. For safety and health reasons, tobacco users are required to properly dispose of tobacco waste and debris;

E. The Maintenance Department is responsible for posting and maintaining appropriate interior and exterior signage, e.g., “Use of All Tobacco Products Prohibited”;

F. Questions about this policy and/or resources and referral services for cessation of tobacco usage may be submitted to the Dean of Student Affairs or Human Resources;

G. Individuals exposed to second-hand smoke may file complaints with the Dean of Student Affairs; and

H. Non-compliance with this policy will be handled in accordance with the provisions set forth in the North Country Community College Code of Conduct – Individual Rights and Responsibilities.

View the Drug Related Risk Table

ADOPTED: August 29, 2005