Drug and Alcohol-Free Policy

It is the policy of the Kankakee Community College (KCC) board of trustees that it shall conform fully with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, Public Law 100-690, Section 5151, et seq. and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (PL 101-226).

KCC has adopted the following policy toward
the goals of helping to prevent alcohol and drug abuse while providing a healthy working and learning environment for all college constituencies.

Prohibited conduct

The use, sale, distribution, manufacture or possession of a controlled substance by college employees or students is prohibited in campus buildings, on campus grounds, and at any college-sponsored activity.

The use of alcohol within the workplace, including meal periods and breaks, is absolutely prohibited except when authorized by the college for approved college functions. Penalties for student violators might include dismissal and/or termination of financial aid.

Employee notice of conviction

As a condition of employment, KCC employees are required to comply fully with this policy, to include agreeing to notify the employer, no later than five (5) days after each conviction, of any criminal drug conviction resulting from a violation occurring at the workplace.

KCC will notify any federal contracting agency within 10 days of having received notice that an employee who is engaged in the performance of such contract has had a criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace.

Within 30 days of receiving notice of a conviction for a drug-related offense in the workplace, the convicted employee:

  • is subject to appropriate disciplinary action by the 
employer, which may include termination;
  • might be required to participate in an approved drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

Student violations and discipline

Students convicted of drug use, possession, or delivery of controlled substances risk losing student financial aid for one year or longer. Other penalties 
for drug and/or alcohol abuse are detailed in the KCC Code of Conduct, found in the college catalog.

Rights of due process

Rights of due process for employees and/or students are addressed in the student Discipline Procedures and the college’s Personnel Policies and Procedures Handbook.

Policy review

This policy and the program of implementation will be reviewed biennially. The policy is subject to change without notice, however, as federal regulations or court orders require.

Dissemination of policy and rules

Students and employees are provided copies of the college’s Drug and Alcohol-Free Learning and Working Environment Policy.

Failure of an employee or student to receive a copy of the Drug and Alcohol-Free Learning and
Working Environment Policy will not constitute
a defense for violations of the college’s policy
and rules.

Drug awareness program

The college will institute and maintain a drug
awareness program to inform employees and students about:

  •  the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse
  •  the college’s policy of maintaining a drug and
alcohol-free learning and working environment
  • any available drug counseling rehabilitation and student or employee assistance programs
  • the penalties that might be imposed on employees and students for drug abuse and alcohol violations

The college’s policy/program administrator is the dean of student development, 815-802-8510.

Health risks

It is important to understand the extent of the health risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse. As part of our approach to 
assist our students and staff in regard to substance abuse, we provide the accompanying chart identifying selected substances with companion information about physical effects and dangers.

Illegal substances, drugs, alcohol Physical effects/symptoms Dangers
Alcohol Absorbed directly into bloodstream, enters every organ of the body and depresses the central nervous system; 
results in intoxication, dizziness, slurred speech, unsteady walk, relaxation, relaxed inhibitions, impaired coordination and slowed reflexes.
 Addiction: accidents, impaired ability, coordination and judgment; memory loss; vision disturbance; reduced ability to 
concentrate; heart and liver damage; nausea; vomiting; other physical damage; and death.
Cocaine
(AKA: Crack)
 Decreased appetite, increased heart rate/temperature/blood pressure, slowed breathing, brief intense euphoria, restlessness, excitement, and a feeling of well-being followed by depression./td> Addiction: heart failure, ulcers in nose, seizures, lung damage, severe depression and sudden death.
Marijuana/Cannabis Altered perceptions, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, reduced fertility, red eyes, dry mouth, reduced 
concentration and coordination, euphoria, laughing and hunger. Panic reaction, impaired short-term memory, addiction, lack of motivation, anxiety/panic, impaired coordination and lung damage.
Hallucinogens
(AKA: Acid, angel dust, 
buttons, cactus, hog, killer weed, magic mushrooms, 
microdot, PCP, LSD, red dragon, sugar cubes, white lightning)		 Altered mood and perception, focus on details, anxiety, panic, nausea, synesthesia (ex. smell colors, see sounds), 
illusions, hallucinations, dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, and sleeplessness; repeated heavy use can 
lead to increased heart rate/blood pressure. Unpredictable behavior, emotional instability, convulsions, coma, heart/lung failure, inability to feel pain, disorientation, flashbacks, ruptured blood vessels in the brain, tremors, violent behavior (with PCP), can cause the appearance of schizophrenic-like psychosis.
Inhalants
(AKA: Aerosol sprays, bolt, climax, huff, laughing gas, locker room, poppers, snappers, solvents, whippets)		 Nausea, dizziness, headache, lack of coordination and control, rapid pulse, loss of appetite and involuntary 
passing of urine or feces. Unconscious, suffocation, nausea and vomiting, permanent damage to brain and central nervous system, hepatitis or brain damage, electrolyte imbalance and muscle fatigue, violent behavior, suffocation and sudden death.
Narcotics
(AKA: Big H, codeine, darvon, demerol, dolophine, heroin, horse, junk, lomotil, methadone, morphine, mud, opium, pectoral syrup, smack)		 Euphoria, drowsiness, insensitivity to pain, nausea, vomiting, watery eyes, runny nose, slow shallow breathing, clammy skin and convulsions. Addiction, lethargy, weight loss, contamination from utensils (hepatitis, AIDS), accidental overdose, coma, death, premature or stillborn infants and severe withdrawal.
Stimulants other than cocaine
(AKA: Black beauties, crank, crystal meth, diet pills, ice, pep pills, speed, uppers) 		Alertness, talkativeness, wakefulness, increased heart rate/blood pressure, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, headache, dizziness, dilated pupils, heavy sweating and shaky hands; repeated use can lead to brain damage/ulcers/malnutrition. Fatigue leading to exhaustion, addiction, paranoia, depression, confusion, possibly hallucinations, anxiety/panic and violent behavior.
Depressants
(AKA: Amytal, barbs, blue devils, downers, librium, ludes, miltown, nembutal, quaaludes, red devils, seconal, serax, valium, yellow jackets) 		Depressed breathing, slow heartbeat, intoxication, drowsiness and uncoordinated movements Possible overdose (combination with alcohol can multiply the effect), muscle rigidity and addiction; withdrawal and 
overdose require medical treatment; high doses can result in coma and death.
 

Support and assistance

For the benefit of both students and employees, the college has a number of alternative assistance and 
support services for dealing with substance abuse
concerns. Student Services counselors also may 
provide lists of a broad range of referral agencies
and organizations which offer free or inexpensive 
services to residents of the community. A partial
list is provided here:

A.C.O.A. - Adult Children of Alcoholics

815-935-1660

Al-Anon

815-939-9506

Alcohol Abuse 24-hour Assistance and Treatment

800-283-2600

Alcoholics Anonymous

815-939-9506
815-939-4996

Aunt Martha’s Youth Services

815-937-0100

Duane Dean Recovery Clinic

815-939-0125

Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health

815-939-3543

Narcotics Abuse 24-hour Helpline and Treatment

800-234-0420

New Hope Counseling Center

815-933-7771

Oakside Clinic

24-hr. hotline 815-933-2240

Provena St. Mary’s Hospital

815-937-2490

Resolve Center Manteno, Ill.

24-hr. hotline - 815-468-3241
800-435-4635

Riverside Medical Center

815-933-1671

Salvation Army Corps and Community Center

815-933-8421

Substance Abuse Services Inc.

Branden House, Manteno, Ill.
815-468-6556

Legal sanctions

Some drug/alcohol offenses are misdemeanors while others are felonies. In either case, the sentence may include imprisonment. Convictions for the unauthorized manufacture, delivery, trafficking and possession of a controlled substance range from a Class I felony to a Class X felony. The penalties depend on the type of substance, amount, number of previous offenses and the age of the person. Penalties range from probation or imprisonment and up to $500,000 in fines.

Convictions for the manufacture, possession or delivery of cannabis range from a Class III misdemeanor to a Class III felony. The penalties associated with cannabis depend on the amount, number of previous offenses, and the age of the person and range from probation or imprisonment with fines up to $100,000.

The Illinois Revised Statutes – Chapter 625 Article V; and Chapter 720 Acts 550, 570, 600 and 690 specifically identify each crime and the corresponding penalty. Copies are available from area law enforcement agencies, the KCC Learning Resource Center and online at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp/. The Illinois statutes are consistent with federal law,
and local law is subject to state law.