Alcohol & Drug Prevention Program

Northshore Technical Community College strictly adheres to the Drug Free Workplace policy established by the LCTCS Board of Supervisors. NTCC assumes that students have developed mature behavior patterns, positive attitudes, and acceptable conduct conducive to this environment. Therefore, we are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy college free from the influence of substance abuse. As a result, each facility has been designated a Drug/Alcohol-Free Zone.  In addition, NTCC complies with the requirements of the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Institute and Communities Act Amendment of 1989.

Each new employee and student is given the following information:

  • NTCC’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace and campus.
  • Statement that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited on campus property or as part of any of its activities.
  • Description of health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol.
  • Listing of area rehabilitation, treatment, and counseling services.
  • A clear statement that the College will impose disciplinary sanctions on students and employees (consistent with local, state and federal law) and a description of those sanctions, up to and including expulsion or termination of employment/student status, and referral for prosecution, for violations of the standards of conduct (a disciplinary sanction may include the completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program).

Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Alcohol and substance abuse lead to health problems, decreased productivity and crime. Alcohol and substance abuse are especially destructive to education and learning, inhibiting educational, social and interpersonal development. Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior.  Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident.  Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increases the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including, spouse and child abuse. Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects just described.

Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening.  Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and liver.

Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversibly physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicated that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics.  Use and/or abuse of controlled substances have the potential to cause psychological and/or physical dependence. The health risks associated with substances covered by the “Controlled Substances Act are described in the Table’s Controlled Substances-Uses and Effects.”

Controlled Substances - Uses & Effects

Narcotics

  • Possible Effects: euphoria, drowsiness, respiratory, depression, constricted pupils, nausea.
  • Effects of Overdose: slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, possible death.
  • Withdrawal Syndrome: watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, loss of appetite, irritability, tremors, panic, cramps, nausea, chills and sweating.
  • Duration: 3 to 6 hours for most. Dependence: most high physical and high psychological
  • Drugs: Opium, Morphine, Codeine, Heroin, Methadone, Meperidine, Hydromorphone

Depressants

  • Possible Effects: slurred speech, disorientation, drunken behavior without odor of alcohol.
  • Effects of Overdose: shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, possible death.
  • Withdrawal Syndrome: anxiety, insomnia, tremors, delirium, convulsions, possible death.
  • Duration: Varies from 1 to 16 hours for barbiturates, to 4 to 8 for most others.
  • Dependence: Varies from low on Benzodiazepines to high on Quaaludes.
  • Drugs: Chloral Hydrate, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Quaaludes.

Stimulants

  • Possible Effects: increased alertness, excitation, euphoria, increased pulse rate and blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite.
  • Effects of Overdose: agitation, increase in body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, possible death.
  • Withdrawal Syndrome: apathy, long periods of sleep, irritability, depression, disorientation.
  • Duration: 1 to 4 hours
  • Dependence: Physical possible, psychological mostly high.
  • Drugs: Cocaine, Amphetamines, Phenmetrazine, Methylphenidate.

Hallucinogens

  • Possible Effects: illusions and hallucinations, poor perception of time and distance.
  • Effects of Overdose: longer more intense “trip” episodes, psychosis, possible death.
  • Withdrawal Syndrome: Not reported Duration: varies from 8 to 12 hours to days.
  • Dependence: none to unknown physically, unknown to high psychologically.
  • Drugs: LSD, Mescaline and Peyote, PCP, Phencyclidine Analogues, Amphetamine Variants.

Cannabis

  • Possible Effects: euphoria, increased appetite, relaxed inhibitions, disoriented behavior.
  • Effects of Overdose: fatigue, paranoia, possible psychosis.
  • Withdrawal Syndrome: insomnia, hyperactivity and decreased appetite occasionally mentioned.
  • Duration: 2 to 4 hours Dependence: unknown physically, moderate psychologically.
  • Drug: Marijuana, Hashish, Hashish Oil.

Important Student Links:

Student Handbook:

Alcohol Prevention

Substance Abuse

Behavioral Health

Referral Resources

Stress Management

Crisis Services-Suicide Prevention

Cyberbullying

Health Resources

Nutrition

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