Campus Drug Prevention Program

In accordance with the Drug Free Schools and Campuses Drug Prevention Program, Vernon College has implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by its students and employees on school premises or as part of any of its activities. Federal regulations also mandate that each employee and student receive a notice of these policies. Therefore provided here for the benefit of each student and employee are standards of conduct, and legal and disciplinary sanctions for unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse.

Drug and alcohol abuse counseling and referral are available at the Vernon College Counseling offices. Additional information both on the effects of specific drugs and alcohol and drug counseling resources in Vernon, Wichita Falls, and surrounding areas are available in the Counseling Center; the Dean of Student Services Office, and the Health Care Clinic.

Legal Sanctions

Students or employees found in violation of any Vernon College rule or any local state or federal law regarding the use, possession or distribution of alcohol or other drugs (as defined by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Subtitle C. Substance Abuse Regulations and Crimes, Alcoholic Beverage Law, and Texas Penal Code 481, Texas Control Substance Act) will be subject to legal penalty in addition to any appropriate college disciplinary action. The most common state law violations and their consequences are:

Alcohol	Crime and Penalty
Consumption or Possession by a Minor (Secs. 106.04 and 106.05)	Misdemeanor 1st Violation 2nd Offense   . . . . . . . . . .   $25 to $200 Not less than $500 but not more than $1000
Purchasing for or Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor (Sec. 106.06)	Misdemeanor . . . . . $100 to $500
Public Intoxication (Texas Penal Code, Sec. 42.02)	Class C Misdemeanor . . . . . Up to $500 fine
Other Drugs	Crime and Penalty
Drug Possession	Varies according to placement of the drug on schedules and in possession . . . . . Up to $10,000 fine and 5-99 years in jail
Penalties for drug possession are governed by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Subtitle C. Specific penalties may vary depending on the type of drug and amount.

Disciplinary Process/Responses

All students and employees are expected and required to obey the law, to comply with Vernon College institutional rules and with directives issued by a Vernon College administrative official in the course of his/her authorized duties. Any student or employee who engages in conduct that is prohibited by Vernon College rules or by federal, state, or local law is subject to either student discipline or appropriate personnel action.

Guidelines and procedures regarding Vernon College disciplinary sanctions are included in the Vernon College Student Handbook and the Employee Policy Manual.

Health Risks

Drug and alcohol use, misuse, and abuse are complex behaviors with many determinants at both the cultural and the individual levels. Awareness of the deleterious effects of any drug/alcohol is imperative for an individual's well-being or survival.

NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES may be exhibited through:

Physical dependence (the body's learned requirement of a drug for functioning).

Abuse of any drug or alcohol whether licit or illicit may result in marginal to marked and temporary to permanent physical and/or psychological damage, even death. Since many of the illicit drugs are manufactured and sold illegally, their content varies and may contain especially harmful ingredients or amounts.

Psychological dependence (the experience of persistent craving for the drug and/or a feeling that the drug or alcohol is a requirement for functioning).