2024 Alcohol and Other Drugs Student Notification - Northern Michigan University

Purpose:

Northern Michigan University complies with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 by sending annual notifications regarding the university drug prevention program to student and employees, as well as completing biennial reviews.

The employee annual notification can be reviewed here: Drug Free Workplace Act

Drug-Free Schools Student Notification Letter

NMU Students, 

This is your student notification of how Northern Michigan University complies with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. The information provided at the end of this email and the Web page found at https://www.nmu.edu/druginformationguide outline NMU’s expectations and procedures for faculty, staff and students. The document includes:

• Standards of conduct for students and employees
• A description of associated university, state and federal sanc sanctions
• A description of associated health risks
• A description of available services and treatment

Many students, faculty and staff have worked together over the years to prevent substance abuse at Northern Michigan University. We believe our efforts have contributed to a healthy living-learning community and have assisted individuals in need. If you have questions or have ways you’d like to participate in helping the university further improve these efforts, please let us know.

Thank you,

NMU Substance Abuse Committee
Contact Person: Mike Bath, Chief, NMU Police Department 227-2151 mbath@nmu.edu.

This document complies with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989.  Northern Michigan University has adopted and implemented a program to educate and prevent the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. 

The program includes annual distribution, within the first two weeks of each semester, be made to each employee and to each currently enrolled student of:

• Standards of conduct for students and employees
• A description of associated university, state and federal sanctions
• A description of associated health risks
• A description of available services and treatment

Alcohol and other drug issues have received much attention nationally and locally.  Many students, faculty and staff have worked together over the years to prevent substance abuse at Northern Michigan University.  We think our efforts have contributed to a healthy living-learning environment and have assisted individuals in need.

Review of University Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Program and Policy

Biennially the University reviews its “Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention Program and Policy” to determine effectiveness and implement changes, if needed, and to ensure that the University’s disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced. 

Northern Michigan University is committed to preventing substance abuse by:

• Encouraging  a campus environment where healthful lifestyle choices are made by students, faculty and staff
• Expecting acceptance of responsibility for one’s own choices and behavior
• Striving to balance the rights of individuals and those of the university community
• Encouraging chemical-free activities and supporting those who choose to use alcohol and other drugs
• Enforcing university, local and sate codes, ordinances and statutes, which govern alcohol and other drug use

NMU Standards of Conduct

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, manufacture or distribute 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.

Potential Legal Consequences

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

Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Other Drug Use 

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

Substance Abuse Resources 

On Campus Services

NMU Health Center
Well Being Center located near The Woods residential area and Northern Lights Dining Facility. Lot #15 off of Lincoln Ave.
(906)227-2355

NMU Counseling and Consultation Services
Well Being Center located near The Woods residential area and Northern Lights Dining Facility. Lot #15 off of Lincoln Ave.
(906)227-2980

Marquette Area Services

Alcoholic Treatment Center (24-hour helpline) 800-260-4014

Alcoholics Anonymous (906)-249-4430 or 800.605.5043
http://www.aa-marquettecounty.org

Drug Abuse Treatment Center (24-hour helpline) 800-259-7115

UP Health System – Marquette Behavioral Health – Outpatient Services
Robert C. Neldberg Building, Sixth Floor 580 W. College Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 449-1600
http://www.mgh.org/our-services/behavioral-health

Great Lakes Recovery Centers Outpatient Services
1009 W. Ridge Street, Suite C Marquette, MI  49855
(906)-228-9696 or (855) 906-GLRC (4572)
https://www.greatlakesrecovery.org

Great Lakes Recovery Centers Youth Residential Services
104 Malton Road Negaunee, MI 49866
(906)-228-4692
https://www.greatlakesrecovery.org