University Policies on Drugs and Alcohol
Policies, Workplace Requirements and Disciplinary Proceedings
Illegal or abusive use of drugs or alcohol can adversely affect the educational environment and prevent a person from achieving personal, social, and educational goals. The University has had a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program for faculty, staff, and students since 1987 that addresses substance abuse through education and, when appropriate, through referral or disciplinary action. Since then, the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Drug Free Schools and Communities Amendments of 1989, and the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 have established certain federal reporting and information distribution requirements designed to combat drug and alcohol abuse.
The Alcohol Policy also provides guidance on serving alcohol at events on campus and restricts the service of alcohol in accordance with North Carolina law.
Possible penalties for violations of the Policy on Illegal Drugs range from written warnings with probationary status to expulsion from enrollment and discharge from employment. On-the-job drug or alcohol impairment or any possession or use of alcohol on campus other than that authorized by the policies noted above are not consistent with these policies and will be addressed appropriately through established faculty and staff disciplinary procedures.
- Sale of amphetamines (including methamphetamine), cocaine, GHB, heroin, LSD, MDMA, opium, oxycodone, or psilocybin:
- Student expulsion and employee discharge.
- Illegal possession of these drugs
- First offense: suspension from enrollment or employment for at least one semester. Because the Policy on Illegal Drugs requires, at a minimum, a longer suspension without pay than State Personnel Commission regulations allow, the penalty for a first offense committed by an SPA employee is discharge.
- Second offense: sanctions up to expulsion for students and discharge for employees.
- Sale of anabolic steroids or marijuana
- First offense: suspension from enrollment or employment for at least one semester. Because of State Personnel Commission rules, SPA employees will be discharged.
- Second offense: student expulsion and employee discharge.
- Illegal possession of these drugs
- First offense: Probation. Possible conditions of probation include drug education and counseling, regular drug testing, and other appropriate conditions.
- If a student or employee fails to comply with probation conditions: suspension for the balance of the probation period. Because of State Personnel Commission rules, if the balance of an SPA employee’s probation period exceeds one work week, he/she will be discharged.
- Subsequent offenses: progressively more severe penalties, including expulsion and discharge.
- First offense: Probation. Possible conditions of probation include drug education and counseling, regular drug testing, and other appropriate conditions.
- Employee violations of alcohol possession/sale of alcohol rules
- Disciplinary action up to and including termination.
- Student and student-organization violations of alcohol possession/sale of alcohol rules
- For alcohol possession violations, students will be held accountable for the violation and will face a probationary period, referral to Wellness Services for Tar Heel BASICS, and possible restitution or community service. For repeat or egregious violations including sale of alcohol or provision of alcohol to minors, students may face additional disciplinary sanctions, including suspension from the University. For violations occurring in University Housing, students may receive additional Housing sanctions. Student organizations face revocation of their University recognition.
North Carolina has structured sentencing, with judges permitted to impose a sentence within a prescribed range, depending on the class of the offense, the number of prior convictions for the individual defendant, and whether there were aggravating or mitigating factors in the circumstances of the offense. The sentences below represent the maximum possible sentence under North Carolina law for possession and sale of the listed drugs:
- Sale of Amphetamine, Cocaine, GHB, Heroin, LSD, MDMA, Methamphetamine, Oxycodone, Opium, Psilocybin:
- 47 months imprisonment and fine
- Sale of anabolic steroids, barbiturates, marijuana:
- 47 months imprisonment and fine
- Possession of GHB, Heroin, LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin:
- 39 months imprisonment and fine
- Possession of more than 100 dosage units of anabolic steroids, barbiturates, Opium, Oxycodone:
- 24 months imprisonment and fine
- Possession of any amount of amphetamine, methamphetamine, or cocaine:
- 24 months imprisonment and fine
- Possession of marijuana:
- Less than ½ ounce – 20 days imprisonment and fine
- More than ½ ounce – 120 days imprisonment and fine
- More than 1 ½ ounces – 24 months imprisonment and fine
- Possession of a controlled substance:
- First offense: Ineligible for one year
- Second offense: Ineligible for two years
- Third offense: Ineligible for an indefinite period of time
- Sale of a controlled substance:
- First offense: Ineligible for two years
- Second offense: Ineligible for an indefinite period of time.
A student whose eligibility for aid has been suspended may regain eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period if:
- The student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program that complies with criteria established by the Secretary of Education and passes two unannounced drug tests; or
- The student’s conviction is reversed or set aside.
The Federal Student Aid website can help in determining when someone may be eligible for aid again.
Counseling and Psychological Services — 919-966-3658 — offers clinical assessments, brief counseling, and referrals for students seeking help for substance abuse problems.
UNC Health Care’s Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program offers clinical assessments, comprehensive DUI services, intensive outpatient counseling, and group support. They can be accessed by calling 919-966-6039.
The University’s Employee Assistance Program — 877-314-5841 (24 hours a day) — provides assessment, referrals and online EAP resources for employees and their family members. Local community mental health agencies and personal physicians can identify treatment resources, and information and assistance also are available from local chapters of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Information on Health Risks
There is help available for those who seek it. Student Wellness — (919-962-9355 and https://studentwellness.unc.edu/) — provides Tar Heel BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students) on a referral basis for students who violate the student alcohol policy, or on a self-referral basis, for any student who may be questioning their alcohol use patterns. Additionally, Student Wellness provides referral assistance to students and their families for local substance abuse counselors, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs), and Inpatient Treatment Programs. Student Wellness also offers mentorship and social support for students in recovery from substance abuse through the Carolina Recovery Community. Counseling and Psychological Services —(919-966-3658 and https://caps.unc.edu/) — offers clinical assessments, brief counseling, and referrals for students seeking help for substance abuse problems. UNC Health Care’s Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program offers clinical assessments, comprehensive DUI services, intensive outpatient counseling, and group support and can be accessed by calling 919-966-6039. The University’s Employee Assistance Program, 877-314-5841 (24 hours a day), provides assessment and referrals for employees and their family members. Online EAP resources are available. Local community mental health agencies and personal physicians can identify treatment resources, and information and assistance also are available from local chapters of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Research shows that marijuana users experience the same health problems as tobacco smokers, such as bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, and throat and lung cancer; tend to have more chest colds than non-users; and are at greater risk of getting lung infections like pneumonia. Studies show that someone who smokes five joints per day may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day. Other effects include increased heart rate, dryness of the mouth, reddening of the eyes, and impaired motor skills. Long term use is associated with depression, anxiety, and loss of motivation. More information is available.
Both physiologically and psychologically addictive, these drugs can cause death in high doses. Infants born to barbiturate users may suffer congenital deformities. Other effects include nausea, dizziness, lethargy, allergic reactions, and possible breathing difficulties. More information is available.
Anyone who uses cocaine – even a first-time user – may have seizures, heart fibrillation, and strokes that can result in death. Habitual users experience irritability, paranoia, and hallucinations. Use causes tumors, chronic fatigue, dangerous weight loss, sexual impotence, and insomnia and affects respiration, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. More information is available.