There are two policies that refer to alcohol and illicit drug use: Code of Conduct Manual #5247, and Security and Safety Policy # 8600. Ocean County College has zero tolerance for the violation of these policies.

OCC enforces all policies and applicable laws concerning illegal drugs and alcohol in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Amendments of 1989.

This means:

• On all OCC sites, or while conducting College business-related or College-sponsored activities or events off Ocean County College’s premises, no student may use, possess, distribute, dispense, sell, manufacture, transfer, purchase, or be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, intoxicants, or controlled substances. Illegal drugs include all drugs for which the use, possession, transportation, or sale is prohibited by any federal, state, or local law. In addition, the possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited.

Note: there is a provision for this policy to be waived, in select instances of on or off-campus events. Formal approval is given by the Board of Trustees upon completion of an application process.

Responsibility is determined by college investigators and sanctions are determined by the Executive Director of Student Services or designee. These sanctions include verbal or written reprimand, restitution of costs, disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion.  The following behaviors regarding illicit alcohol and drug use, as defined and/or qualified by current statutes and case law, will result in the imposition of disciplinary action:

• The use, possession, sale, or distribution of narcotics or other dangerous illegal drugs on college property or at any function sponsored or supervised by the college.
• Possession or use of alcoholic beverages on college property or at any function sponsored or supervised by the college. Refer to OCC Student Discipline Policy #5247 Student Code of Conduct.

1. Individuals and resources are available for the reporting of crimes and policy/code violations, and action will be taken as soon as an incident is reported. Those who are aware of crimes or misconduct are encouraged to report it as quickly as possible:
   1. • Campus Security – Bldg. #30 – 732-255-0400 ext. 2200
      • Office of Student Conduct – Admin. Bldg. #1, Room 020 – 732-255-0400 ext. 2944
      • Online, using the reporting form: Report a Concern. Download the mobile ReportIt App from the App Store or Google Play, or use the web version of ReportIt on their website.
2. An investigation is conducted; if the student is determined to be responsible for using alcohol, illicit drugs, or is in possession of drugs and/or alcohol on campus or at a College-sponsored event, disciplinary actions will be imposed; consequences include probation, suspension, and/or expulsion. Return to the College will be considered on an individual basis; in no case will a person be reinstated as a student unless the College administration is satisfied that rehabilitation has taken place.
3. Any student found responsible of the illegal manufacture, transfer, distribution, or sale of drugs on campus or at a College-sponsored event will be expelled from the College.

There may also be legal sanctions for state and federal laws. In addition to sanctions imposed by the College, students violating alcohol and/or illicit drug policies are subject to all applicable local, state, and federal sanctions, which may include, but are not limited to fines and/or imprisonment. The College will refer violations to legal authorities when deemed appropriate.

In New Jersey, a person must be at least 21 years of age to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages. Underage drinking is illegal and can have severe consequences for young people who drink and for adults who provide the alcohol to those under age 21. An underage person can lose their driver’s license for 6 months. If they do not have their license, the suspension starts when they are first eligible to receive a license. They may also be required to participate in an alcohol education or treatment program.

Information regarding NJ laws and sanctions can be viewed on the State of New Jersey,  Office of the Attorney General’s Alcohol Awareness site.

Information regarding Federal Laws can be viewed in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drugs of Abuse Report.

The risks associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs are numerous; physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual processes are affected and impaired. There are devastating effects on family and friends. The abilities to learn and remember are impacted. Low doses can significantly impair judgment, reduce inhibitions, and seriously impact the ability to drive a car or operate machinery safely. The use of alcohol is linked to increases in aggression, domestic violence, sexual assault and other kinds of violence. Dependence and addiction can result from repeated use of alcohol, and breaking that dependence can be difficult. Withdrawal effects include severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, convulsions and can be life-threatening. Long term use of alcohol can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and liver.

Persistent abuse can result in a diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder, (AUD). AUD is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over alcohol intake, and a negative emotional state when not using.

To assess whether an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is present, here are some questions to consider.

In the past year, have you:

• Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended?
• More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?
• Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over the aftereffects?
• Experienced craving — a strong need, or urge, to drink?
• Found that drinking — or being sick from drinking — often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?
• Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
• Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?
• More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)?
• Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?
• Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
• Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, or sweating? Or sensed things that were not there?

https://niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, reach out to the helping resources identified on this web page.

The following is a partial list of the common health effects of alcohol and drug use and abuse:

Source: Atlantic Cape Community College; www.atlantic.edu/student-life/student-resources/counsel-advise/drug-alcohol.php

Visit Alcohol and You: An Interactive Body, for more information.

Ocean County College:  The Counseling Center has licensed counselors who provide confidential, non-judgmental individual counseling. Counselors assist students with identifying behaviors and factors that might indicate abuse of alcohol and/or drugs. Counselors link students with community resources for treatment and services and continue to provide supportive counseling to students as they work with external resources. Information given to a counselor during the privacy of a counseling session will not be disclosed by the counselor unless, in the judgment of the counselor, there exists a clear and imminent danger to self or others.  Counselors encourage a student who confides that they have an alcohol and/or drug-related problem to seek help through professional agencies and services. Counselors will provide information about those resources, and may link the student directly with those services. The Counseling Center is located in the Library, Building #3, suite 010; call 732-255-0386; resources can be found on the webpage go.ocean.edu/counseling; contact counselingservices@ocean.edu.

There are a variety of prevention and education programs offered throughout the academic year by OCC departments, faculty, students, and Counseling Services; these activities are available to all students and members of the college community. In addition, Ocean County College is the first community college to develop a Recovery Support Program for its students, funded by the NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The Recovery Support Program at OCC offers peer support, counseling, and recovery coaching, as well as recreational and social activities and prevention education for students in recovery from substance use or other addictive disorder. For more information, contact the Counseling Center or the Recovery Support Program at Recovery@ocean.edu.

External resources that provide information and services:

Ocean County Health Department Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Resource Guide

If you have any questions about the OCC policies, procedures, or want support, information, and/or linkages with resources, contact the Counseling Center. 732-255-0386 • counselingservices@ocean.edu • Library, building #3, Suite 010.