Drug and Alcohol Education and Prevention

Pursuant to 484(r) of the Higher Education Act, a student who has been convicted of any offense under Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance may be determined to be ineligible to receive any Title IV grant, loan or work assistance. The period of ineligibility is determined by the type of conviction as well as whether or not the student was receiving federal student aid at the time of the offense. More information can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/criminal….

As a condition for receiving federal funds or any other form of federal financial assistance, all institutions of higher education must implement a drug and alcohol policy that complies with applicable federal, state, and local drug and alcohol laws. The law requires institutions to implement a program that will prevent the unlawful manufacturing, dispensing, possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. Any violation of these policies or of local, state, or federal laws regarding illicit drugs or alcohol will result in appropriate disciplinary action. In addition to College disciplinary sanctions, students, faculty, and staff involved with illegal use, possession, or distribution of controlled substances may face criminal penalties, and the College will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies as appropriate. If a student has concerns about alcohol or drug addiction or how either impact their lives, they will want to meet with a counselor in the Counseling division. The phone number is 313-845-9611.

If an employee has concerns about drug or alcohol use – their own or others’ – they may want to consult with the College’s employee assistance program (EAP). The phone number is 855-775-4357.

As members of an academic community, students and employees can expect an atmosphere that supports personal growth and learning. HFC requires that its students and employees comply with legal standards and student conduct standards as it applies to alcohol and illicit/illegal drug use and possession.

The Law (Alcohol)

  • The minimum age in Michigan for the purchase, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages is age 21.
  • It is illegal to furnish or serve alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of 21.
  • The law prohibits carrying or consuming alcoholic beverages in open containers outdoors on public property, regardless of a person’s age.
  • It is illegal to possess or use false identification or to misrepresent one’s age for the purpose of obtaining or consuming alcoholic beverages.
  • No group which is not licensed by the Liquor Control Board (LCB) may sell alcoholic beverages. The use of chits, chips, tickets or other means of exchange in place of cash violates LCB regulations.
  • It is illegal to appear in any public place manifestly under the influence of alcohol to the degree that you may endanger yourself or other persons or property, or annoy persons in your vicinity.
  • A person under age 21 is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle with ANY alcohol in his/her system.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol (blood alcohol level of 0.08% or greater) is illegal.

Student Code of Conduct

Students at HFC are expected to show respect for order, law, the personal rights of others, and the educational mission of the College, as well as to maintain standards of personal integrity. Students at HFC are expected to comply with state, federal and local laws and ordinances, to show respect for the personal rights of others and the educational mission of the College, and to maintain standards of personal integrity.

The following are examples of behavior or situations that violate these standards. This list is illustrative and is not exhaustive, and it is not to be read as a limitation of the College’s right to discipline for infractions which are not listed:

  1. Interference with normal College or College-sponsored activities including, but not limited to: interference with teaching, College administration, and College Board meetings;
  2. Failure to comply with Campus Safety and other College personnel;
  3. Violation of legal standards of decency;
  4. Discriminating against or harassing an individual or group in any College-related activity, opportunity or organization on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, height, weight, or marital status, or retaliating against any such individual or group for having complained about such behavior;
  5. Disrupting a class, a class related activity, or a College-sponsored or related event;
  6. Physical assault;
  7. Stalking;
  8. Threats of injury or harm;
  9. Arson;
  10. Theft;
  11. Gambling;
  12. Damage to College, student, faculty or employee property;
  13. Computer or technology abuse or tampering;
  14. Possession of firearms or dangerous weapons by persons who are not sworn federal, state, or local law enforcement officers who are required to carry weapons during the course of their employment (Such individuals are required to notify Campus Public Safety of this requirement prior to bringing such weapons on campus);
  15. Falsifying, altering or providing false, inaccurate or incomplete information on any College application, form or document; or providing false, inaccurate or incomplete verbal information which is to be used with regard to any College application, form, document or transaction;
  16. Possession, use, manufacture, sale of, or being under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance, without a physician’s prescription, or possessing drug paraphernalia while on campus; and
  17. Any other actions deemed unsuitable for a College campus.

The complete text of this policy is available in the office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, 430A Administrative Services and Conference Center, and also from Student Policies, Rights and Responsibilities.

Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drugs

As a public institution, HFC operates under the guidelines of Federal Public Act 101-226, entitled Drug Free Schools and Campuses, passed in 1990. This law states that students must be informed of HFC's rules and sanctions relative to drugs and must be informed of health risks related to the use of drugs and of counseling assistance available at the College.

College Rules

Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages and drugs is forbidden on campus. Persons appearing on campus while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, and other dangerous drugs, except as expressly permitted by law, will be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action.

Possession, consumption, sale, or purchase of any controlled substance which is illegal under state or federal law is prohibited on the campus of HFC.

College Sanctions

Employees found in violation of College or employee performance or conduct policies or state or federal laws are subject to due process action which may include: required treatment, education, training, restriction of privileges, a warning, suspension, or dismissal.

Students found in violation of College conduct policies or state of federal laws are subject to disciplinary action and may consist of payment of fines, verbal reprimand, restitution of damages, restriction of privileges, disciplinary probation, suspension, dismissal, and/or notation on the student’s record of dismissal or suspension.

Brochures are available in the Student Conduct and Compliance Office, located in Building N on the main campus in offices N-223 and N-227. Anyone with questions should call 313-845-6301 or 313-845-6315.

Alcohol

Health Effects

Alcohol, the shortened term for ethyl alcohol, is a central nervous system depressant that is absorbed into the bloodstream and transmitted to all parts of the body. Moderate doses reduce physical coordination and mental alertness while larger doses of alcohol drastically impair an individual’s ability to function, sometimes rendering them unconscious. Long term drinking can increase the risk of developing liver and heart disease, circulatory and stomach problems, various forms of cancer and causes irreversible brain damage.

Legal Issues and Sanctions

Legal Age

Persons under the age of 21 caught with alcohol in their car can be charged with a misdemeanor, regardless of whether they are driving at the time or parked. That charge can result in a license suspension. The only time a person under the age of 21 may transport alcoholic beverages in a vehicle is if a person over the age of 21 is present.

Legal Limit

For people of the legal drinking age, the blood alcohol concentration level considered above the limit is anything .08 or higher. For persons under 21, that limit is .02. Michigan has a zero tolerance policy for those under age 21 who have been caught driving while intoxicated as person ages 16-20 are the least experienced behind the wheel. Statistics show that that inexperience combined with alcohol makes males 16-20 years old 18 times more likely to be killed in a car accident than a sober driver of the same age, and females 16-20 years old 54 times more likely to be killed.

Zero Tolerance

For persons under the age of 21 caught purchasing, consuming or possessing alcohol, the first offense is a $100 fine; second offense is $200 fine and 30-day license suspension; third offense is $500 fine, 60-day license suspension, and 305-day restricted license.

For persons under the age of 21 caught driving while intoxicated, the first offense is up to a $250 fine, the possibility of up to 350 hours community service, 30-day license suspension, four points off their driving record, and a $500 driver responsibility fee for two years. If a person is caught in a second underage DUI within seven years, the fines double, and that person could face up to 93 days in jail.

Students who violate the law are immediately subject to disciplinary action, but also may be accountable to the local police department.

Illicit/Illegal Drugs

Health Risks

Illicit drugs are controlled substances that possess a high potential for abuse, have no currently accepted medical use in the United States (U.S.), and demonstrate a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Controlled substances so defined fall under seven headings: marijuana (marijuana, hashish); stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine); depressants (barbiturates, tranquilizers, hypnotics); hallucinogens (LSD, PCP); opiates or narcotics (heroin, morphine, opium, codeine); inhalants (sprays, solvents, glue); and designer drugs (synthetic drugs similar in effect to stimulants, hallucinogens, and narcotics). To be used legally and safely, some of the drugs above must be prescribed by a physician. This list is not comprehensive; there may be substances omitted that are also illegal and fall under the designation of controlled substances.

All drugs, including alcohol, can have side-effects. Their influences can affect the safety and well-being of the users as well as their friends. Illicit drugs can interfere with important brain activities including coordination, memory, and learning. They increase the risk of lung cancer, destroy liver cells, initiate severe weight loss, and may weaken the immune system. Users may also experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat and irregular breathing. Convulsions, coma and death are also possible. Combining drugs can be fatal.

Federal Law: Sanctions

Federal law prohibits the trafficking of illegal possession of controlled substances as outlined in 21 United States Code, Section 811 and 844. Depending on the amount, first offense maximum penalties for trafficking marijuana range from five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 to life imprisonment and a fine of $4 million. Again, depending on the amount, first offense maximum penalties for trafficking class I and II controlled substances (methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, PCP, LSD, fentanyl analogue) range from five years to life imprisonment and maximum fines ranging from $2-$4 million. First offense penalties and sanctions for the illegal possession of a controlled substance ranges from up to one year in prison and a fine of at least $1000 but not more than $250,000 or both.

Financial Aid: Sanctions

Pursuant to 484(r) of the Higher Education Act, a student who has been convicted of any offense under Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance may be determined to be ineligible to receive any Title IV grant, loan or work assistance. The period of ineligibility is determined by the type of conviction as well as whether or not the student was receiving federal student aid at the time of the offense. The Federal Student Aid website provides more information about eligibility for students with criminal convictions.

Drug/Alcohol Abuse Education Programs

Emergency Assistance/Campus Contacts

Assistance, Treatment, Support and Community Resources

On-Campus Counseling

HFC employs full and part-time licensed professional counselors who provide individual counseling, workshops, and group sessions to students experiencing personal issues, including those impacted by drug and/or alcohol abuse or addiction. Three counselors have specialized education and training in addiction and alcohol and drug education. Call the Counseling Department at 313-845-9611 or 313-845-9612.

Off-Campus Substance Abuse Resources

  • Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) 24-hour helpline: 248-332-3521
  • Eastwood Clinic (affiliated with St John’s Health): 734-425-4070
  • Downriver Community Alliance Central: 800-686-6543
  • Family Services (Detroit, Southfield, Dearborn, Canton): 313-274-5840
  • Narcotics Anonymous 24 hour help line: 248-543-7200
  • Oakdale Recovery Center: 734-397-3088
  • Psychiatric Intervention Center: 734-721-2000
  • Apex Behavioral Health in Dearborn: 313-271-8710
  • Employee EAP - HR Benefits Office: 800-847-7240