Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act

For Students and Employees

• Standards of Conduct

  Student Code of Conduct

  From the College of Charleston Student Handbook 
  
  Student Code of Conduct.

  The following Student Code of Conduct is in force while on College premises and/or at College-sponsored or supervised activities. Officials in Student Affairs shall determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether an incident that occurs off campus jeopardizes the College or members of the college community in pursuit of their institutional and educational goals and thus falls within the scope of the Honor System. (See also section on “Off-Campus Jurisdiction.”)

  The Student Code of Conduct of the College of Charleston specifically forbids:

  Use, possession, manufacturing, intent to distribute, distribution, dispensation, purchase, attempted purchase of marijuana, cocaine, narcotics or other illegal drugs or controlled substances, including prescription medications, except as expressly permitted by law. This includes the possession or sale of drug paraphernalia (such as scales, bongs, water pipes, glass pipes, cocaine spoons). (For more information about violations and our responses to drug-related activity see Drug Policy below.) 

  Use, possession, manufacturing or distribution of alcoholic beverages, except as expressly permitted by the law and College regulations, and/or public intoxication. Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstance, be used by, possessed by or distributed to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age. (For more information about our responses to alcohol-related activity see Alcohol Policies, and Residential Student Rights and Responsibilities and The Compass.)

  Student Handbook, Drug Policy, 3. Violations

  This policy prohibits, on or off campus:

  1. a)  The unlawful manufacture, intent to distribute, distribution, dispensation, trafficking,  possession, attempted purchase, or use of illegal drugs or controlled substances*, including prescription medications and/or use of non-anabolic steroids.  
  2. b) The possession or sale of drug paraphernalia (such as roach clips, water bongs, home-made bongs, glass pipes, cocaine spoons).
  3. c) The manufacture, intent to distribute, distribution, dispensation, trafficking, possession, attempted purchase or use of imitation (“look alike”) or synthetic substances including but not limited to substances such as K2, Spice, Bath Salts, etc. 
  4. d) The manufacture, intent to distribute, distribution, dispensation, trafficking, possession, or use of psychoactive plant which produces hallucinogenic effects including but not limited to substances such as Salvia.

  * The term “controlled substances” when used in this policy shall refer to those drugs and substances whose possession, sale, or delivery results in criminal sanctions under South Carolina law.

  3.2. As citizens, students have responsibility for knowing of and complying with the provisions of state law referenced above. Any student who violates any of these laws is subject to prosecution and punishment by the civil authorities as well as to disciplinary procedures conducted by the College which may precede criminal or civil proceedings. It is not “double jeopardy” for both the civil authorities and the College to proceed to sanction a person for the same specified conduct.

  Employee Code of Conduct and Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy

  • Employee Drug and Alcohol Policy
  • Policy on Alcohol and Drug Testing

  All College of Charleston faculty and staff members, as a condition of their employment, must abide by the terms in this policy.

• Legal Sanctions

  Legal sanction information can be found in the College of Charleston Student Handbook, Appendix E: Information on State and Federal Alcohol and Drug Laws.

• Health Risks

  Alcohol Dangers
  Before drinking, think about its possible consequences (e.g., academic and health problems, unsafe sex, assault, injury, and even death). These consequences affect the person who drinks as well as other students (whether they choose to drink or not) and the community as a whole.

  Prescription Medications
  Dealing with prescription drugs can lead to addiction, physical impairment, death, or legal repercussions. Medications should only be taken while under the counsel of a medical professional. And some prescription medications can be extremely dangerous to "share."

  Health Dangers of Drug Abuse and Abuse of Prescription Medication
  Visit: National Institute on Drug Abuse research report on Misuse fo Prescription Drugs
  https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/overview 

• Programs

  Education, Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment information can be found in the Drug Policy section of the Student Handbook.

  Additional Education and Prevention: 

  The College of Charleston is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming college experience for all students.  This includes multiple outreach and educational efforts to decrease or eliminate substance abuse.  As part of our comprehensive alcohol prevention program, the college mandates (through the Dean of Students Office) that all new students (incoming and transfer students under the age of 25) at the College of Charleston are required to complete online prevention and education programs focusing on alcohol, marijuana, and sexual consent via 3rd Millennium. Students are tracked individually and 100% compliance is monitored.  Anyone not completing the course prior to arrival at the college has a hold placed on their registration and may be called into the Dean of Students Office to explain their non-compliance.  Substance misuse prevention efforts run throughout the school year, including annual training of Resident Assistants and Residence Hall Directors, presentations during student and parent orientations, and to Greek Life organizations in partnership with the Risk Managers, and a module on alcohol's effects on academics taught by the Peer Facilitators in the First Year Experience.  Both formal and informal classes, lectures, discussions, and activities are offered by the counseling Center Health Educator and Substance Abuse Intervention Specialist, along with other staff who participate in the "Don't Drop That Class" program offering substance abuse information at the request of various faculty to enrich their curriculum. The Office of Student Wellness & Well-being, along with the Students 4 Support (trained volunteers), offer various health fairs and outreach activities. Additionally, the Counseling Center staff work with various organizations across campus to help plan engaging, alcohol-free activities and students are encouraged to participate in the various programs that are developed. A list of student organizations is available in the Stern Student Center and at  https://cofc.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations.

  The college also has a coordinated response to students who have a substance abuse incident.  This includes students who are reported by other students, observed by a Resident Assistant, reported to the Dean due to concerns about a student (through the college FAST reporting system – Faculty/Friends/Family Assisting Students in Trouble), and whose care is managed by the multi-disciplinary team known as the Students of Concern Committee.  Many of these students are directed by the Dean of Students to The Counseling Center for a substance abuse assessment and possible treatment.  As a part of the assessment process, mandated students complete a self-assessment from the platform Therapy Assistance Online.  This evidence-based practice tool is then reviewed with a trained substance abuse counselor.  Based on the nature of the incident and the self-assessment students may enter into a four session treatment group.  The Counseling Center staff are all trained in various evidence-based practices related to students at risk for, or presenting with substance abuse problems, including Motivational Interviewing.  The Counseling Center staff also consult with various organizations around campus and in the larger community as needed related to substance abuse prevention and treatment, including but not limited to Student Health Services, Office of Victim Services, and Academic Advising. Special outreach messaging is also offered as new drug threats are discovered.  Examples include warnings about alcohol-stimulant products, synthetic marijuana, or national trends such as the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications (ex. Pain killers, ADHD medications, and minor tranquilizers).  More information is available by calling The Counseling Center, 843.953.5640.

  Assessment and Treatment

  For Students:

  Counseling Center, 843.953.5640
  Charleston Center, 843.958.3300
  MUSC Institute of Psychiatry, Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, 843.792.9162
  MUSC, Psychiatry Resident Clinic 843.792.9162
  MUSC, Emergency Room 843.792.3826
  Roper Hospital Emergency Department, 843.724.2010
  Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, 843.747.5830
  Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program of S.C. 843.958.3300
  Alcoholics Anonymous (near campus), Grace Episcopal Church, 98 Wentworth St, Charleston, Friday at 8:45pm
  Narcotics Anonymous (on campus), Robert Scott Small Bldg, Rm 319, Saturday at 9:00pm  

  Urine Drug Testing Services:

  Charleston Center, 843.958.3300  
  St. Andrews Medical Center, 843.763.2000 
  Lowcountry Drug Screening, 843.747.3224

  Sexual Assault, substance related or not:

  Tri County SPEAKS 843.745.0144

  For Faculty and Staff:

  Deer Oaks EAP
  Charleston Center, 843.958.3300
  MUSC Institute of Psychiatry, Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, 843.792.9162
  MUSC, Psychiatry Resident Clinic 843.792.9162
  MUSC, Emergency Room 843.792.3826
  Roper Hospital Emergency Department, 843.724.2010
  Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, 843.747.5830
  Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program of S.C. 843.958.3300
  Alcoholics Anonymous, 843.554.2998 Al-Anon, 843.762.6999
  Narcotics Anonymous, 843.852.3001 

• Conduct Sanctions

  For Students

  A description of the College of Charleston's conduct actions that may be taken associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol.
  Source: https://charleston.edu/student-handbook/index.php 

  Alcohol Policies

  • Alcohol Policies, including Alcohol-Related Violations
  • Procedures for the Use of Alcohol on Campus or During College Sponsored Events
  • Conduct Sanctions

  Drug Policy

  • Drug Policy, including Violations
  • Conduct Sanctions

  Employee Disciplinary Sanctions 

  • Employee Drug and Alcohol Abuse: https://charleston.edu/policy/documents/9.1.6.pdf 
  • Policy on Alcohol and Drug Testing: https://charleston.edu/policy/documents/9.1.6.1.pdf 
• Employees, Staff, and Faculty

  The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) of 1989 - also known as the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act - requires institutions of higher education to  establish drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs for students and employees.  Students and employees must receive materials annually that contain information on the five points below.

  The information on this page is designed for College of Charleston Employees and Staff.

  The information provided in response to each point below has been compiled from the Student Handbook, Human Resources and other campus web pages.

  • Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees
  • A description of the applicable legal sanctions under federal, state, or local law for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol
  • A description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol
  • A list of drug and alcohol programs (counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and re-entry) that are available to employees and students
  • A clear statement of the conduct sanctions students and employees may face for violations of standards of conduct relating to drugs and alcohol.

  Students, faculty, and staff may request information about the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students at 843.953.5522 and The Counseling Center at 843.953.5640.

  Employees, Staff, and Faculty

  • Employee Standards of Conduct
  • Legal Sanctions
  • Health Risks
  • Employee Programs 
    • For Employees: Employee Assistance Services & Deer Oaks EAP   
  • Conduct Sanctions
  • Employee Drug and Alcohol Policy
  • Policy on Alcohol and Drug Testing

  Additional Campus Resources

  • College of Charleston Policy Website
  • The Counseling Center  
  • Office of the Dean of Students
    • Student Handbook
  • Human Resources Department  Policies
  • Public Safety - Campus Police
• Quick Links & Additional Resources

  • College of Charleston Policy Website
  • The Counseling Center  
  • Office of the Dean of Students
    • Student Handbook
  • Human Resources Department  Policies
  • Public Safety - Campus Police
  • Office of Victim Services (OVS)
  • Collegiate Recovery Program