Information regarding the use/abuse of drugs and alcohol by employees and students is provided pursuant to public law 101-226, The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989.
NMJC students and their health and welfare are of serious concern. NMJC recognizes that the use of illicit drugs and/or the abuse of alcohol is a persistent health problem of major proportion affecting our society physically, mentally, and socially. Illicit drug use and/or alcohol abuse can adversely affect an individual’s personal life, safety, health, and mental or physical performance.
It is the intent of NMJC to provide students with pertinent information related to illicit drug use and/or alcohol abuse in an effort to prevent such abuse.
As a recipient of federal funds, the College is obligated to inform all students that the possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on its property or as part of any of its activities is prohibited, and is a violation of policy. Students who violate the policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. It is also a federal requirement and a College policy that, as a condition of employment, any student worker will notify his or her immediate supervisor within five (5) days of conviction of a criminal drug offense occurring in the workplace. NMJC is committed to promoting and maintaining a work and academic environment that is free from illegal alcohol and drug use and abuse, in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws.
NMJC Alcohol and Drug Policy
Students, employees and visitors are prohibited from possessing, consuming, manufacturing, dispensing, or being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs / synthetic cannabis/spice or engaging in improper self-medication while on College property or conducting College business. Any member of the College community who violates this policy is subject to both prosecution and punishment under federal, state, and local laws and to disciplinary proceedings by the College.
This alcohol/drug policy is not designed to punish people for seeking rehabilitation. All information about those individuals who voluntarily avail themselves of drug or alcohol counseling or rehabilitation services will remain confidential. Seeking counseling or rehabilitation will not be used as a basis of disciplinary action or be used against an individual in any way.
College employees and students who violate the alcohol/drug policy may be informed about and referred to services to assist them in determining whether they are abusing drugs and alcohol or are chemically dependent. If a problem is found to exist, the individual may be referred to resources to assist him / her in overcoming the drug or alcohol abuse pattern.
The College will review its Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program every 2 years to determine its effectiveness and implement changes to the program as needed, and to ensure that the disciplinary sanctions applied by the College are consistently enforced.
Alcohol and Drug Use
Drug and alcohol use, misuse, and abuse are complex behaviors with many outcomes at both the cultural and the individual levels. Awareness of the dangerous effects of drug/alcohol use is imperative for an individual's well-being or survival. Negative consequences of drug/alcohol may be exhibited through: physical dependence (the body's learned requirement of a drug for functioning) or psychological dependence (the experiencing of persistent craving for the drug and/or a feeling the drug/alcohol is a requirement for functioning).
Abuse of any drug/alcohol whether licit or illicit may result in marginal to marked, temporary to permanent physical and/or psychological damage, even death. Since many of the illicit drugs are manufactured and sold illegally, their content varies and may contain especially harmful ingredients or amounts. Regardless of the types of drug/alcohol utilized, a perceived need for the continued use is likely to ensue, resulting in dependence. Dependence on drugs and/or alcohol alters the user's psychological functioning. The acquisition of drugs and alcohol becomes the primary focus of the drug dependent individual and often results in reduced job performance and jeopardized family and other interpersonal relationships. Criminal behavior is frequently the means for financing a drug habit. Behavior patterns often include violence and assault as the individual becomes increasingly drug/alcohol dependent. Social and psychological alienation and medical problems increase as the abuser becomes entrapped in drug/alcohol dependence. For more information on drug/alcohol counseling and referrals, please contact the Counseling Office at your campus.
Student Violations
The Dean of Students has authority to sanction as seen fit for any violation of the Student Code of Conduct involving Drugs and Alcohol. For more information on the disciplinary process, go to the Code of Student Conduct.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), permits colleges and universities to inform the parents/guardians of students less than 21 years of age when their son/daughter has been found in violation of college alcohol and drug regulations.
Students exhibiting signs of excessive drug/alcohol consumption may be transported via Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at the student's expense for medical attention. Refusal to cooperate with EMS personnel may result in arrest in order to ensure the student's health and safety.
NMJC SANCTIONS
NMJC will impose sanctions for failure to maintain standards of conduct regarding illicit drug use and/or alcohol abuse as may apply to students and/or employees consistent with local, state and federal law, up to and including expulsion from school or termination of employment and referral of violations of the standards of conduct.
Possible College Sanctions
- Educational assignments
- Oral or written Reprimand
- Restrictions
- Restitution
- Disciplinary Probation
- Loss of College Housing privileges
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Notification of Law Enforcement
New Mexico Legal Sanctions for Possession/Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor
Possession/consumption of alcohol by persons not 21 years of age violates New Mexico law, and can be punishable by up to six (6) months in the county jail and a $500 fine.
New Mexico Legal Sanctions for Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol abuse is subject to penalties specified by the Liquor Control Act. A DWI (Driving While Under the Influence) conviction can result in a fine up to $1,500 and/or imprisonment up to 364 days for a 1st offense, prosecution for vehicular homicide, and/or license revocation and vehicle impoundment.
New Mexico Legal Sanctions for Controlled Substances
The New Mexico Legislature has enacted numerous laws concerning possession and trafficking of controlled substances. The most abused controlled substances are marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, and methamphetamines. Fines and prison sentences vary according to the quantity of drugs involved and whether first or repeat offense.
Fines for possession of marijuana range from not less than $50 to $5,000. Prison sentences range from fifteen (15) days to eighteen (18) months. The fine for trafficking marijuana is $5,000; prison sentences for trafficking range from eighteen (18) months to three (3) years.
The fine for possession of cocaine and heroin is $5,000, and the prison sentence is eighteen (18) months. Fines for trafficking cocaine and heroin range from $10,000 to $15,000. Prison sentences for trafficking are nine (9) years for a first offense and eighteen (18) years for a repeat offense.
The fine for possession of LSD and amphetamines is $1,000 and the prison sentence is up to one (1) year. Trafficking LSD and amphetamines carry a fine of $5,000 and a prison sentence of three (3) years.
Federal trafficking penalties for methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, PCP, LSD, Fentanyl, and Fentanyl Analogue vary depending on the quantity of drugs involved and whether the offense is the first or a repeat offense. Prison sentences range from five (5) years to life. Fines for trafficking in these drugs range from $2 million to $8 million. Federal trafficking penalties for marijuana range from ten (10) years to life. Fines for trafficking in these drugs range from $2 million to $8 million.
Medical Marijuana
Possession of a Medical Marijuana Registry identification card, regardless of state issued, does not authorize a student to possess, use or distribute marijuana in any on campus housing or NMJC property.
Health Risks
Health Risks Associated with Alcohol Abuse
- Increased risk of liver cancer.
- Increased risk of cirrhosis of the liver.
- Increased risk of heart disease.
- Adverse reactions when combined with many medications, including over-the-counter drugs.
- Overdose resulting in respiratory failure.
- Impaired concentration.
- Impaired coordination.
- Risk of permanent nerve damage from long-term abuse.
Health Risks Associated with Marijuana Use
- Lowered sperm counts in men.
- Decreased testosterone levels in men.
- Increased testosterone levels in women.
- Enhanced cancer risk.
- Impaired short-term memory.
- Psychological dependence.
Health Risks Associated with the Use of Cocaine and Crack
- Addiction.
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
- Respiratory failure.
- Brain seizures.
- Hepatitis or AIDS through sharing needles.
- Decreased ability to combat infections.
- Violent, erratic or paranoid behavior.
- Anxiety, depression.
- Cocaine psychosis.
Health Risks Associated with the Use of Hallucinogens
- Sleeplessness and tremors.
- Convulsions.
- Heart and lung failure.
- Depression, anxiety and paranoia.
- Violent behavior.
