Drug-Free Schools & Communities Act - NMU Police Department

Students of Northern Michigan University

The Northern Michigan University Student Handbook prohibits the use, possession, sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages by students in any building or on any property owned or controlled by NMU (except under terms and conditions established by the president or designee) and states that no student shall illegally possess, use or have under his/her control any other controlled substance in any building or on property owned or controlled by the University.

Failure to abide by these regulations may lead to any of the following university sanctions:

•  warning probation
• disciplinary probation
• Suspension
• expulsion 

Special conditions may be attached to the sanction, including, but not limited to, parental notification of the violation and mandatory participation in an alcohol or other drug education program.

Employees of Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of any controlled substance or alcohol by employees of university-owned, used or controlled premises, except when possessed or used within the scope of the employee’s assigned duties and as authorized by law.

Any employee violating this policy will be subject to the following disciplinary actions up to and including discharge:  (1) verbal warning, (2) written reprimand, (3) suspension without pay, (4) discharge.  Disciplinary action may differ from one another depending on the terms set forth in the union contracts.

Furthermore, any employee providing alcohol to an underage student or controlled substance to a student, regardless of the setting, may be subject to the above disciplinary actions.

Violations of laws and ordinances relating to drugs and alcohol also may result in misdemeanor or felony convictions accompanied by the imposition of legal sanctions, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Fines as determined under local, state, or federal laws
• Imprisonment, including up to life imprisonment, for possession or trafficking in drugs such as heroin and cocaine
• Forfeiture of personal and real property
• Denial of federal benefits such as grants, contract and student loans
• Loss of driving privileges
• Required attendance at substance abuse education or treatment programs

State Alcohol Sanctions – Under Michigan law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, consume or possess, or have any bodily content of alcohol. The following summarizes some of the potential legal consequences for violating state law.

• A first-time conviction may result in a fine, substance abuse education and treatment, community service and court-ordered drug screenings
• There also is a provision for possible imprisonment or probation for a second or subsequent offense
• The use of false identification by minors in obtaining alcohol is punishable with a fine, loss of driver's license, probation and community service
• Individuals can be arrested and/or convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at .08 or higher. If a student is under 21, there is a "zero tolerance" law in the state of Michigan, and any blood alcohol level of .02 or higher can lead to a minor in possession (MIP) citation as well as being cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, if applicable. This is in addition to suspension of driving privileges in the state of Michigan

The Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative passed in 2008 and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act passed in 2018 legalized medical and recreational marijuana respectively in Michigan. These laws allowed the legal sale of marijuana to qualifying patients and adult residents. However, this legislation conflicts with federal criminal laws governing controlled substances, as well as federal laws requiring institutions receiving federal funds, by grant or contract, to maintain drug-free campuses and workplaces. The university receives federal funding that would be in jeopardy if those federal laws did not take precedence over state law. Thus, the on-campus use, possession or cultivation of marijuana in any form and for any purpose constitutes a violation of the Board of Trustees’ Drug and Alcohol Abuse Free Policy and student code of conduct.

Federal Drug Sanctions - A full description of Federal sanctions for drug felonies

Regular use of alcohol and other drugs (including marijuana, stimulants, depressants, cocaine, anabolic steroids, opiates, hallucinogens) may lead to:

• Psychological and or physical dependence
• Impaired learning ability, memory, and ability to solve complex problems
• Inability to perform sexually and infertility problems
• Increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (including aids)
• Complications due to the combination of prescription medication and other drugs and alcohol
• Death, coma, or toxic reactions, especially when combining alcohol with any other drug, including over the counter medicine or prescriptions
• Guilt or regret over activities performed while under the influence of alcohol or drugs i.e. regretting sexual encounters, fighting, risk-taking, legal difficulties
• Organic damage to the brain, cardiovascular system, liver etc.
• Psychosis (hallucinations, loss of contact with reality, extreme changes in personality)
• Other physiological psychological, or interpersonal problems

Consistent with its educational mission, NMU also assists its members in finding alternatives to alcoholic beverages for promoting social interaction and stress reduction, and it provides services and resources for university community members who experience alcohol-related difficulties. Keeping informed is an important step in developing a healthy lifestyle and in knowing how to cope with problems as they arise. Northern provides useful and informative prevention education programs throughout the year. A variety of departments sponsor workshops and lectures on alcohol and drug-related issues to support and encourage healthy, productive lifestyles. To learn more about these programs, contact the NMU Health Center at (906) 227-2355