Concordia College

The federal "Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989" requires higher educational institutions to annually notify students and employees about existing laws and college policies governing alcohol and illegal drugs, health risks associated with use and abuse, counseling and treatment services available, and penalties for violations of the law and college policy. The law also requires colleges and universities to impose penalties for violations that are consistent with the penalties that would be imposed by civil authorities. Accordingly, the federal law requires us to inform you of the following:

College Policy
Concordia College prohibits the possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs and alcohol on campus or at college sponsored events off campus. Furthermore, if College officials become aware of illegal possession, use, or distribution of alcohol or other illegal drugs off campus, or of violations of the City's party ordinance, the college reserves the right to take disciplinary action.

Health Risks of Alcohol and Other Substances of Abuse
The use of every drug, including alcohol, carries with it potential health risks.

Alcohol: Alcohol consumption causes a number of impairments including changes in behavior and normal body function. Even low doses significantly impair judgment, coordination mental function thus increasing the risks of accidents and injuries. 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 taken acutely can cause respiratory depression and even death. Statistics show that alcohol use is involved in a majority of violent behaviors on college campuses, including acquaintance rape, vandalism and fights. Additional consequences include DUI arrests and serious or fatal car crashes. Continued abuse may lead to dependency, which can cause permanent damage to vital organs and deterioration of a healthy lifestyle.

Amphetamines: Amphetamines can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, convulsions, loss of coordination, collapse, and death. Heavy users are prone to irrational acts.

Cannabis (Marijuana, Hashish): The use of marijuana may impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter sense of time, and reduce coordination and energy level. Users often have a lowered immune system and an increased risk of lung cancer. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, is stored in the fatty tissues of the brain and reproductive system for a minimum of 28 to 30 days.

Club Drugs: Club drugs are drugs such as MDMA (Ecstasy), Rohypnol, GHB, LSD, and methamphetamine and others, which are used at all-night parties such as trances or raves, dance clubs and bars. These party drugs, particularly when mixed with alcohol, can cause serious health problems, injuries, or even death.

Cocaine/Crack: Cocaine users often have a stuffy, runny nose and may have a perforated nasal septum. The immediate effects of cocaine use include dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature, followed by depression. Crack, or freebase rock cocaine, is extremely addictive and can cause delirium, hallucinations, blurred vision, severe chest pain, muscle spasms, convulsions, and even death.

Hallucinogens: Lysergic acid (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin cause illusions and hallucinations. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. Delayed effects, or flashbacks, can occur even when use has ceased. Phencyclidine (PCP) affects the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check. Because the drug blocks pain receptors, PCP episodes may result in self-inflicted injuries, violence and aggressive behavior toward others. Heroin: Heroin is an opiate drug that causes the body to have diminished pain reactions. Overdoses of this highly addictive drug can result in coma or death due to respiratory failure or cardiovascular collapse.

Screening and Treatment
Concordia College recognizes that chemical dependency and chemical abuse are concerns that can impact academic success and that there are assistance programs available to help individuals experiencing problems. The College accepts the responsibility to provide education about alcohol and other drug use and abuse and to intervene in situations where individuals are losing control of their chemical use, violating the law or college policy, and/or harming themselves or others in any way. When appropriate, Concordia personnel may refer students to the Concordia Counseling Center for an alcohol screening or to agencies outside of Concordia for evaluation and/ or treatment for alcohol or drug-related problems. While full evaluation for alcohol, drug abuse and/or addiction is not available on campus, the Counseling Center staff will work with the students to find appropriate community services. Referral information from the Counseling Center is also available to those wishing to refer individuals to off-campus agencies.

If college officials determine that an intoxicated student is at risk due to alcohol and/or drug misuse, the student will be transported to the emergency room at one of the area hospitals or to the Clay County Detox Center, whichever is deemed appropriate at the time. All expenses incurred as a result are the responsibility of the student.

Local and State Laws
It is a violation of Minnesota State Law for anyone under the age of 21 to: 1) Consume alcoholic beverages, or have any measurable amount of alcoholic beverage in their system,  2) Purchase, attempt to purchase, or possess alcoholic beverages, 3) Misrepresent your age, attempt to use another's drivers license or false identification to gain entry into a liquor establishment or to purchase alcoholic beverages, or 4) Enter a licensed liquor establishment to purchase or be served alcoholic beverages. Penalties for these violations include:
Possession of alcohol by a minor – up to $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail
Selling, bartering, delivering, furnishing, or giving alcoholic beverages to a minor – up to $3,000 fine and 1 year in jail

Penalties for other illegal drugs include:
Possession of marijuana (under 42.5 grams) – up to a $300 fine
Possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle – up to $1000 and 90 days in jail
Possession of marijuana (over 42.5 grams) – up to $10,000 fine and 5 years in jail
Distribution of marijuana (under 42.5 grams) – up to $10,000 fine and 5 years in jail
Possession of a controlled substance – up to $1,000,000 fine and 30 years in jail
Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver – up to $1,000,000 fine and
30 years in jail

Federal Laws
Federal law provides criminal and civil penalties for unlawful possession or distribution of drugs and alcohol. See http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/schedules.htm for details on federal trafficking penalties for controlled substance violations. Among incarceration and/or fines, there are federal laws allowing the forfeiture of property used in possession or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance. This could include homes, vehicles, boats, aircrafts and any other personal or real property. Fines could range up in the millions of dollars. One becomes ineligible to have firearms. One also becomes ineligible to receive federal benefits such as student loans and grants.

College Sanctions and Legal Sanctions: Multiple Accountabilities
When students or student organizations violate the College's alcohol policy they will be subject to campus resolution. Campus resolution of such violations may proceed before, during, or after any pending civil or criminal proceedings are concluded. Since the campus actions are primarily educational in nature, and not criminal proceedings, simultaneous actions do not constitute double jeopardy and differing judgments may result. In instances where civil penalties are imposed, the college may also impose sanctions - but not to merely duplicate those imposed by civil authorities.

Sanctions: Students and Student Organizations
Individual students and student organizations that are found in violation of the College's alcohol and other drug policy are subject to sanctions consistent with the severity of the violation and the existence or absence of prior alcohol or other drug violations. These sanction guidelines can be found inside this publication. (For a complete description of these sanctions, see the Code of Student Behavior.)
If you have any questions about any of the above information, please contact a member of the Student Affairs staff.