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Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989

The Act is intended to combat substance abuse on campus through prevention, rehabilitation and punishment. In accordance with this, Itawamba Community College informs its students and employees of the following:

• Institutional Policy
• Standards of Conduct
• Legal sanctions under local, state and federal law for violations of standards of conduct
• Disciplinary sanctions imposed by Itawamba Community College
• Description of health risks associated with the abuse of drugs and alcohol
• List of drugs and alcohol programs offered by the college and referral agencies available to students and employees

As a student or employee, do you need help or know someone who does?
If your answer is yes, seek help immediately. Sources of help include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Educate yourself on the harmful effects by attending college-sponsored programs and activities;
• Obtain and read material explaining potentially harmful effects;
• Seek trained professional help;
• Talk to a college counselor who may personally assist or guide you in obtaining educational materials or referral for professional help.

Drug-Free School Policy

Alcohol and drug abuse has been recognized as a leading threat to the health and well-being of the  college students/employees. As a member of the college community, and subject to the laws and policies which bind the institution's activities and interest, it shall be the personal responsibility of each student and employee to adhere to such stated policies.

ALCOHOL

Many offenses against people and property committed at colleges and universities in the United States are a direct result of alcohol misuse/abuse. Such anti-social behavior is unacceptable to the ICC campus community. When student/employees misuse alcohol, academic performance, job productivity, health, personal relationships and safety suffer. A reduction of problems related to the misuse of alcohol cannot be achieved solely through the development of rules and regulation. However, rules and regulations are important and necessary. Students/employees need to know what their responsibilities are as members of the campus community.

Legal Sanctions - Alcohol

Itawamba Community College students, personnel and organizations are required to comply with county and state laws regarding alcohol or beer. In addition, the college forbids the possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages (including beer) on the campus and/or at any activity sponsored by students, personnel, or any organization functioning at the college or college owned or controlled property. Drunkenness or evidence of intoxication is a violation of law and/or college rules and regulations. REFERENCE: MISSISSIPPI CODE 1972 ANNOTATED

DRUGS

Itawamba Community College strives to maintain an environment free from drugs. It is the College's belief that a drug-free environment benefits Itawamba Community College, its staff and the community at large. It is further believed that this environment can be best achieved through an intentional, consistent and visible effort that is preventive as well as reactive in nature. Therefore, the college unequivocally prohibits the illegal possession and/or professional unsupervised use of all prescription drugs, hallucinogenic drugs and controlled substances (including marijuana) by any member of its community.

Legal Sanctions - Drugs

Itawamba Community College students, personnel and organizations are required to comply with institutional, state and federal laws regarding the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance, illegal drugs and/or drugs associated paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law. All violations will be presented to the appropriate authorities for prosecution. REFERENCE: MISSISSIPPI CODE 1972. ANNOTATED OR UNITED STATE CODE.

ICC SANCTIONS

Students: Depending upon the facts relating to the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol, the student may be:

• Placed on probation for specified period of time.
• Suspended for a specified period of  time or with sentence suspended.
• Expelled from ICC or one of its residential units.
• Subject to any combination of the above listed sanctions or order forms of creative sanction which might be imposed including intervention and/or referral type agencies.
• Further information regarding student discipline procedures can be found in the Itawamba Community College Student Guide, a copy of which can be obtained at the Vice -President of Student Services' office

Employees: Sanction may be imposed upon employees who violate the Colleges' drug and alcohol abuse policy as follows:

• Suspension pending further investigation (with pay)
• Satisfactory participation in a drug or alcohol abuse assistance or rehabilitation program
• Issuance of a formal warning or termination

For termination, the applicable termination procedure from the Handbook for Faculty and Staff will apply, based upon the status of the employee. Any action will be initiated within 30 days after the facts become known by the college.

HEALTH RISKS

• ALCOHOL. Alcohol consumption cause a number of changes in behavior and physiology. Even low doses significantly impair judgment, coordination and abstract mental functioning. Statistics show that alcohol use is involved in majority of violent behaviors on college campuses including acquaintance rape, vandalism, fights and incidents of drinking and driving. Continued abuse may lead to dependency which often causes permanent damage to vital organs and deterioration of healthy lifestyle.
• CANNIBIS (MARIJUANA). The use of marijuana may impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter sense of time, and reduce coordination and energy level. Users often have a lowered immune system and an increased risk of lung cancer. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, is stored in the fatty tissues of the brain, and reproductive system for a minimum of 28 to 30 days.
• HALLUCINOGENS. Lysergic acid (LSD), mescaline and psilocybin cause illusions and hallucinations. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety and loss of control. Delayed effects, or flashbacks, can occur even when use has ceased. Phencylidine (PCP) affects the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check. Because the drug blocks pain receptors, violent PCP episodes may result in self-inflicted injuries.
• COCAINE/CRACK. Cocaine users often have stuffy, runny nose and may have perforated nasal septum. The immediate effects of cocaine use include dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature, followed by depression. Crack or freebaser rock cocaine, is extremely addictive and can cause delirium, hallucinations, blurred vision, severe chest pain, muscle spasms, convulsions and even death.
• AMPHETAMINES. Amphetamines can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of coordination, collapse and death. Heavy users are prone to irrational acts.

FEDERAL LAW

Federal law prohibits the trafficking of illegal possession of controlled substances as outlined in 21 United States Code, Section 811 and 844. Depending on the amount, first offense maximum penalties for trafficking marijuana range from five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 to life imprisonment and a fine of $4 million. Again, depending on the amount, first offense maximum penalties for trafficking class I and II controlled substances (methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, PCP, LSD, fentanyl analogue) range from five years to life imprisonment and maximum fines ranging from $2-$4 million. First offense penalties and sanctions for the illegal possession of a controlled substance ranges from up to one year in prison and a fine of at least $1000 but not more than $250,000 or both.

STATE LAW    

Mississippi Code, 1972 annotated provides the following penalties for the sale, manufacture, possession with intent to traffic, Drugs. 

• Marijuana - under one ounce, felony - three years penitentiary - up to $3000 fine
• Marijuana - over one ounce, felony - up to three years penitentiary - up to $1,000,000 fine

Schedule I-II (over 30 grams), felony - up to 30 years and/or $5000 to $1,000,000 fine
Schedule III - IV (over 50 grams), felony - up to 20 years and /or $1000 to $250,000 fine
Schedule V felony - up to 10 years penitentiary and/or $1000 to $50,000 fine
Schedule I drugs are commonly known as Crack, Cocaine, Morphine, or Codeine
Schedule III, IV, V drugs are commonly known as prescription Drugs.

For possession or sale of any drug within 1500 feet of a school, church, public park, movie theaters, etc., the court may double fine and sentence.

If a firearm is in possession at the time of arrest, court may double fine and the sentence.

RESOURCES

The college employs professional counselors, and the staff is prepared to help students find appropriate assistance in dealing with alcohol and drug-related problems. It is each student's responsibility to seek assistance before the problem affects judgment, performance or behavior.

Telephone numbers of some of the agencies providing counseling, treatment, education and other alcohol and drug-related services are:

Reporting Requirement

Any student who is convicted of a drug-related offense must inform the college within five college working days of such conviction. This notice must be in writing to the Vice-President of Student Services. A student with such conviction may be subject to disciplinary action and may jeopardize the receipt of financial aid and scholarships.

Annual Distribution

The Drug-Free Workplace Certification Policy is included in the College's Policy Manual. In addition, the policy is distributed to each employee with the annual contract of letter of employment. This annual distribution is the responsibility of the assistant to the President.

The Drug-Free School Policy is included in the Student Guide, which is annually distributed to each student with registration literature.

A biannual review (every two years) of the drug prevention program will be conducted to determine its effectiveness; implement needed changes, and ensure that disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced. The Vice-President of Student Services will have the responsibility to appoint a committee to conduct the review. 

A sample of students and employees will be surveyed to determine the effectiveness of the current policy any recommend and changes.