Riverland Community College is committed to providing a drug-free work and learning environment. No student or employee shall report to work or class under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, controlled substances or other drugs that affect his or her alertness, coordination, reaction, response, judgment, decision making or safety. No student or employee shall operate, use or drive any equipment, machinery or vehicle of the College while under the influence of any controlled substance. No student or employee of the College, including any student employee engaged in work or study in connection with a federal grant, shall unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use on campus or in the workplace any narcotic drug, alcohol, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, or any other controlled substance. Any student or employee who violates the terms of this policy may be subject to discipline, up to and including discharge.

Disclosure of Offenses:
Institutions of higher education are permitted to disclose to parents or legal guardians of a student under the age of 21 years information regarding the violation of any federal, state, or local law, and institutional disciplinary rule or policies related to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.

• Alcohol is the most abused drug in the United States today.
• Alcohol is a drug that acts on the brain. It is potentially addicting, both physically and mentally.
• Alcohol abuse is irresponsible drinking which harms or endangers the drinker or other people.
• Alcohol abuse can result in violence, poor judgment and loss of coordination.
• Alcoholism is a disease characterized by a physical and mental dependence on alcohol. About 1 in 10 drinkers becomes an alcoholic.
• Alcohol consumed in heavy amounts over a period of years can result in brain damage, cancer to the mouth, stomach and esophagus, heart disease, liver damage, ulcers and gastritis as well as damage to other body organs.
• Prolonged excessive drinking can shorten life spans by 10 to 12 years.
• Drug abuse is a major problem that results when drugs are used improperly.
• Drug abuse is using natural or synthetic chemical substances for non-medical reasons to affect the body, mind and behavior.
• Abusing drugs can be dangerous especially when they are taken for a long time, in the wrong combinations or in excess.
• If you take drugs, you risk overdose and dependence, both physical and psychological.
• Long-term drug abuse can lead to mental illness, malnutrition and organ damage.
• The risk of AIDS, hepatitis, and other diseases increases if drugs are injected.
• When drugs make you lose control, you may do things beyond your ability and take foolish risks. Accidents and injuries can result to you and to others.
• Abusing drugs can also cause legal, economic and personal problems.
• People who abuse drugs often need help.
• Breaking a drug habit without outside help can be dangerous because of withdrawal symptoms and difficult because of the psychological need.

Federal and state sanctions for illegal possession of controlled substances range from up to one year imprisonment and up to $100,000 in fines for a first offense, to three years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines for repeat offenders. Additional penalties include forfeiture of personal property and the denial of federal student aid benefits. Under federal laws, trafficking in drugs such as heroin or cocaine may result in sanctions up to and including life imprisonment for a first offense involving 100 gm or more. Fines for such an offense can reach $8 million. First offenses involving lesser amounts, 10-99 gm, may result in sanctions up to and including 20 years imprisonment and fines of up to $4 million. A first offense for trafficking in marijuana may result in up to five years imprisonment and fines up to $500,000 for an offense involving less than 50 kg, and up to life imprisonment and fines up to $8 million for an offense involving 1,000 kg or more.

The State of Minnesota may impose a wide range of sanctions for alcohol-related violation. For example, driving while intoxicated (blood alcohol content of .10 or more) may result in a $700 fine, 90 days in jail, and/or revocation of driver?s license for 30 days. Possession of alcohol under age 21 or use of false identification to purchase alcohol results in $100 fine. Furnishing alcohol to persons under 21 is punishable by up to a $3,000 fine and/or one year imprisonment.

For a comprehensive summary of the criminal penalties in Minnesota for the use, possession and sales of controlled substances go to the Web page address: www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol-info/StateAndLocalLaws/MN.html and www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/152/.
For a comprehensive summary of Federal criminal penalities for drug use and sales, go to the following web site: www.dea.gov/agency/penalties.htm

The Counseling Department at Riverland Community College refers students to the following for initial screening and/or treatment;

During the 2005-2006 academic year, approximately four to seven students were referred for chemical dependency screening and/or counseling.

Additional information regarding the Drug Free College Policy is available in the Student Affairs Office or Human Resources Office. This information includes: a copy of the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, a copy of the Drug Free Schools & Communities Act Amendment of 1989 and the definitions of terminology used in the law.