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 Minnesota West Policy 5.18.1 - Alcohol or Other Controlled Substances

Minnesota West Policy 5.18.2 - Use of Tobacco Products

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Alcohol consumption causes 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 a majority of violent behaviors on college campuses. Continued abuse may lead to dependency, which often causes permanent damage to vital organs and deterioration of a health lifestyle.

Amphetamines can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, headaches, depression, damage to the brain and lungs, tremors, loss of coordination, collapse, and death. Heavy users are prone to irrational acts.

Cocaine/Crack users often have a stuffy, runny nose and may have a perforated nasal septum. The immediate effects of cocaine use include dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature, paranoia and depression. Cocaine is extremely addictive and can cause delirium, hallucinations, blurred vision, severe chest pain, muscle spasms, psychosis, convulsions, stroke and even death.

Depressants, including alcohol, ludes, barbiturates, may cause liver damage, convulsions, depression, disorientation, and insomnia.

Hallucinogens, such as LSD, PCP, angel dust, and mushrooms 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.  Phencyclidine (PCP), another hallucinogen affects the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check. Hallucinogens can cause liver damage, convulsion, coma, and even death.

Marijuana (grass, reefer, pot, weed) 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.  Users also experience interference with psychological maturation and temporary loss of fertility. The active ingredient in marijunana, THC, is stored in the fatty tissues of the brain and reproductive system for a minimum of 28 to 30 days.

Methamphetamines, known as speed, meth, ice, glass, etc. have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Taking even small amounts may produce irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, and aggressiveness. Over time, methamphetamine users may experience symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, a severe movement disorder.

Narcotics (codeine, heroin, smack, or other opiate drugs cause) the body to have diminished pain reactions. The use of heroin can result in coma or death due to a reduction in heart rate.

Solvents-Inhalants (acetone, freons, nitrous oxide), may cause heart failure, respiratory arrest, liver and brain damage.

Steroid users experience a sudden increase in muscle and weight and an increase in aggression and combativeness. Steroids can cause high blood pressure, liver and kidney damage, heart disease, sterility and prostate cancer.

Tobacco may cause lung cancer, emphyzema, and oral cancer.

**There is also risk of addiction for all substances.

Immediate Health Risks Specific to Heavy Drinking

Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These immediate effects are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:

• Unintentional injuries, including traffic injuries, falls, drownings, burns and unintentional firearm injuries.
• Violence, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. About 35% of victims report that offenders are under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol use is also associated with 2 out of 3 incidents of intimate partner violence. Studies have also shown that alcohol is a leading factor in child maltreatment and neglect cases, and is the most frequent substance abused among these parents.
• Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and increased risk of sexual assault. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
• Miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women, and a combination of physical and mental birth defects among children that last throughout life.
• Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels that suppress the central nervous system and can cause loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and body temperature, coma, respiratory depression, or death.
• Legal implications such as DUI, public intoxication, and providing alcohol to minors.

Long-Term Health Risks Specific to Heavy Drinking

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases, neurological impairments and social problems. These include but are not limited to:

• Neurological problems, including dementia, stroke and neuropathy.
• Cardiovascular problems, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and hypertension.
• Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide.
• Social problems, including unemployment, lost productivity, and family problems.
• Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast.
• The risk of cancer generally increases with increasing amounts of alcohol.
• Liver diseases, including alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, which is among the 15 leading causes of all deaths in the United States.
• Other gastrointestinal problems, including pancreatitis and gastritis.

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Schedule Drugs

1. Heroin, mescaline and peyote; marijuana, mushrooms, LSD, GHB, other hallucinogens, MDMA (ecstasy).
2. Opium, morphine, and codeine; methadone, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, PCP.
3. Opium, morphine, and codeine; barbiturates; other narcotics, stimulants and depressants.
4. Benzodiazepines; chloral hydrate; anabolic steroids; other narcotics, stimulants and depressants.
5. Codeine (ie. Robitussin); other narcotics and depressants.

Possession of Schedule Drugs

Schedule I / Schedule II

• 1st offense: Not more than 20 years, 10 years minimum; if death or serious injury, 20 years minimum-life; up to $1 million fine individual, $5 million other than individual.
• 2nd offense: Not more than 30 years; if death or serious injury, not more than 15 years; up to $2 million fine - individual, $10 million other than individual.

Schedule III

• 1st offense: Not more than 10 years; if death or serious injury, not more than 15 years; up to $500,000 fine - individual, $12.5 million other than individual.
• 2nd offense: Not more than 20 years; if death or serious injury, not more than 30 years; up to $1.5 million fine - individual, $5 million other than individual.

Schedule IV

• 1st offense: 5 years; up to $250,000 fine individual, $1 million other than individual.
• 2nd offense: 10 years; up to $500,000 fine individual, $2 million other than individual.

Schedule V

• 1st offense: 0 - 1 year; up to $100,000 fine individual, $250,000 fine other than individual.
• 2nd offense: 0 - 4 years; up to $200,000 fine individual, $500,000 other than individual.

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Alcohol Violation Sanctions

It is illegal to drive, operate, or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or a controlled or hazardous substance, or with a “blood-alcohol concentration” of 0.08 or more. Motor vehicles include cars, boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, planes, etc. “Operate” or “in physical control” includes starting the motor, steering, or being in position to control a vehicle, including simply sitting or sleeping in a parked vehicle.

Penalty:

• First offense (including juvenile convictions): misdemeanor-fine up to $700, jail up to 90 days, driver’s license revocation of at least 30 days.
• Second offense within 5 years or 2 or more convictions within 10 years: gross misdemeanor-fine up to $3,000, jail up to one year, driver’s license revocation of at least 30-90 days and possible chemical dependency treatment.
• Third or more offenses: longer periods of revocation.

Minors in possession or consumption: Persons under 21 years of age consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages with intent to consume, unless the person is in a parent or guardian’s home and drinks with their permission. Possession anywhere other than a parent or guardian’s home is prima facie evidence of intent to consume. Penalty: Misdemeanor.

Selling, bartering, furnishing, or giving alcoholic beverages to a person, under 21 years old (except parents in their home). Penalty: Gross misdemeanor. Possible civil liability for damages caused by the person under 21 while under the influence.

Anyone under 21 years of age who purchases or attempts to purchase an alcoholic beverage, or claiming to be 21 or older for the purpose of purchasing alcoholic beverages. Penalty: Misdemeanor. Driver’s license suspension of 90 days if a driver’s license, permit, or MN identification is used in making or attempting the purchase.

Including a person under 21 years to purchase or procure, alcoholic beverages or lending to or permitting use of identification by a person under the age of 21 for the purpose of purchasing or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages. Penalty: Gross misdemeanor. Driver’s license suspension of 90 days if a driver’s license is lent.

NOTE: Penalties can change with each legislative session. Municipalities and counties may also have ordinances that regulate gatherings and have specific penalties for violation.

Drug Sanctions Schedule Drugs (I-V)

1. Heroin, LSD, mescaline and peyote, amphetamine variants, marijuana, other hallucinogens.
2. Opium, morphine, codeine, methadone, cocaine, barbiturates.
3. Anabolic steroids, opium, codeine, methadone, cocaine, barbiturates.
4. Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chloral hydrates, other narcotics, stimulants and depressants.
5. Opium, codeine, other narcotics and depressants.

First Degree

• Sale: 10+ grams of cocaine, 50+ grams of other narcotic drug, 200+ doses hallucinogen, 50 kilos marijuana, or 25+ kilos marijuana in a school zone, park zone, or public housing zone.
• Possession: 25+ grams cocaine, 500+ grams of other narcotic drug, 500+ doses hallucinogen, 100+ kilos marijuana.
• Penalty: 0 to 40 years, 4 year mandatory minimum if prior drug felony; up to $1 million fine, 0 to 40 years, 2nd offense.

Second Degree

• Sale: 3+ grams of cocaine, 10+ grams of other narcotic drug, 50+ doses hallucinogen, 25 kilos marijuana, or sale of a Seclude I or II narcotic drug of 5+ doses hallucinogen or methamphetamine either to a person under 18 or in a school zone, park zone, or public housing zone.
• Possession: 6+ grams cocaine, 50+ grams of other narcotic drug, 100+ doses hallucinogen, 50+ kilos marijuana.
• Penalty: 0 to 40 years, 3 year mandatory minimum if prior drug felony; up to $500,000 fine.

Third Degree

• Sale: Narcotic drug: 10+ doses hallucinogen, 5+ kilos marijuana, or sale of a Schedule I, II, or III (except a Schedule I or II narcotic drug or marijuana) to a person under 18 or employment of person under 18 to sell the same.
• Possession: 3+ grams cocaine, 10+ grams of other narcotic drug, 10+ kilos marijuana, and any amount of a Schedule I or II narcotic drug or LSD or methamphetamine or 5+ kilos marijuana in a school zone, park zone, or public housing zone.
• Penalty: 0 to 30 years, 2 year mandatory minimum if prior drug felony; up to $250,000 fine, 0 to 30 years, 2nd or subsequent offense.

Fourth Degree

• Sale: Any Schedule I, II, or III drug (except marijuana), or sale of marijuana in a school zone, park zone, or public housing zone or any Schedule IV or V drug to a person under 18 or conspiracy for the same.
• Possession: 10 doses hallucinogen, any amount of a Schedule I, II, or III drug (except marijuana) with intent to sell it.
• Penalty: 0 to 30 years, 1 year mandatory minimum if prior drug felony; up to $100,000 fine.

Fifth Degree

• Sale: Marijuana, or any Schedule IV drug.
• Possession: All Schedule I, II, III, or IV drugs except 42.5 grams or less of marijuana. Any prescription drugs obtained through false pretenses or forgery.
• Penalty: 0 to 5 years, 6 months mandatory minimum if prior drug felony; up to $10,000 fine.

Small Amounts of Marijuana

• For the possession of up to 1.4 grams of marijuana the person is guilty of a petty misdemeanor including a fine of $200 and required attendance at an approved drug education program.
• Second conviction of possession of a small amount of marijuana results in a misdemeanor and possible drug treatment. Possession of 1.4 grams or less of marijuana in an automobile is a misdemeanor.

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Minnesota West will will impose sanctions consistent with local, state, and federal laws.

Students who violate the 5.18.1 policy on alcohol or other controlled substances are subject to the following sanctions:

1. Referral for assessment or counseling.
2. Disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, and/or expulsion.
3. Restitution.
4. Denial of financial aid.

Employees who violate the policy on alcohol or other controlled substances, as detailed in the 4.20.1 Policy: Alcohol and Other Drug Use, are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or termination of employment.

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