Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

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Davis Technical College is committed to preventing alcohol and other drug abuse on campus. Abuse, misuse, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or other drugs is expressly forbidden on campus.

It is the intent of these policies and procedures:

  • To create an environment that will be free from alcohol and other drug abuse
  • To foster an attitude on the part of the campus members that discourages the inappropriate use of alcohol and other drugs
  • To promote healthy lifestyles for all members of the campus community
  • To educate all members of the campus community, including faculty, staff, and students regarding the negative consequences resulting from the use and/or misuse of alcohol and other drugs
  • To encourage alcohol and other drug-free activities within the campus community
  • To create a more productive student body through awareness and education, which will allow for positive and personal growth

Institutional Sanctions

Sanctions for employees, which may be imposed by the institution, include, but are not limited to, the following: oral reprimand or warning, written reprimand or warning, required or recommended counseling or rehabilitation, termination and referral for prosecution. For more detailed information on staff sanctions and procedures, see the Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy. This is also available through the Human Resources office.

Sanctions for students, which may be imposed by the institution, may include disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from school and referral for prosecution. For additional information on student sanctions and procedures, see the Student Code of Conduct.

The Risks Involvled

Schedule I: Narcotics, such as heroin; hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline and peyote
  • Health Risks
    • Psychologically and physically addictive; depression, withdrawal symptoms, convulsions, unpredictable behavior with hallucinogens; possible damage to unborn fetus.
  • Federal Laws
    • Minimum penalty: low end amount (size depends on drug) – 5-40 years High end amount – 10 years to life. Maximum fine: $2-4,000,000. If death or serious injury occurs – 20 years to life. Students convicted of drug offenses may also lose or become ineligible for financial aid.
  • Utah Laws to Possess
    • Up to five years and/or up to $5,000 fine (third degree felony).
  • Utah Laws to Possess with Intent
    • From 1-15 years and/or up to $10,000 fine (second degree felony).
SCHEDULE II: Narcotics, such as opium, morphine, methadone and codeine; depressants, such as methaqualone (Quaalude) and some barbiturates; stimulants, such as cocaine and some amphetamines; and phencyclidine (PCP), a hallucinogen
  • Health Risks
    • Psychologically and physically addictive; depression, withdrawal symptoms, convulsions, unpredictable behavior with hallucinogens; possible damage to unborn fetus.
  • Federal Laws
    • Minimum penalty: low end amount (size depends on drug) – 5-40 years High end amount – 10 years to life. Maximum fine: $2-4,000,000. If death or serious injury occurs – 20 years to life. Students convicted of drug offenses may also lose or become ineligible for financial aid.
  • Utah Laws to Possess
    • Up to five years and/or up to $5,000 fine (third degree felony).
  • Utah Laws to Possess with Intent
    • From 1-15 years and/or up to $10,000 fine (second degree felony).
SCHEDULE III: Stimulants (including some amphetamines); depressants (including some barbiturates); and some narcotics
  • Health Risks
    • Psychologically and physically addictive; drowsiness, withdrawal symptoms, abdominal and muscle cramps, anxiety, tremors, insomnia, convulsion, possible death, possible damage to unborn fetus
  • Federal Laws
    • All drugs, any amount. Maximum: three years/$250,000. Students convicted of drug offenses may also lose or become ineligible for financial aid
  • Utah Laws to Possess
    • Up to six months and/or up to $1,000 fine (Class B misdemeanor)
  • Utah Laws to Possess with Intent
    • Up to five years and/or up to $5,000 fine (third degree felony)
SCHEDULE IV: Depressants, including the benzodiazepines (e.g., valium, Librium and dalmane), choral hydrate, some barbiturates and others (e.g., opium, codeine) than drugs included in schedules I-IV
  • Health Risks
    • Psychologically and physically addictive; drowsiness, withdrawal symptoms, abdominal and muscle cramps, anxiety, tremors, insomnia, convulsion, possible death, possible damage to unborn fetus.
  • Federal Laws
    • All drugs, any amount. Maximum: three years/$250,000. Students convicted of drug offenses may also lose or become ineligible for financial aid.
  • Utah Laws to Possess
    • Up to six months and/or up to $1,000 fine (Class B misdemeanor).
  • Utah Laws to Possess with Intent
    • Up to five years and/or up to $5,000 fine (third degree felony).
SCHEDULE V: Chemical compounds with smaller quantities of certain drugs, included in schedules I-IV
  • Health Risks
    • Psychologically and physically addictive; nausea, gastrointestinal symptoms, drowsiness, withdrawal symptoms including runny nose, watery eyes, panic, chills, cramps, irritability, nausea and possible damage to unborn fetus.
  • Federal Laws
    • All drugs, any amount. Maximum: three years/$250,000. Students convicted of drug offenses may also lose or become ineligible for financial aid.
  • Utah Laws to Possess
    • Up to six months and/or up to $1,000 fine (Class B misdemeanor).
  • Utah Laws to Possess with Intent
    • Up to one year and/or up to five years and/or $2,500 fine (class A misdemeanor).
Marijuana: Marijuana, THC, hashish, hash oil, tetrahydrocannabinol
  • Health Risks
    • Psychologically and physically addictive; increased risk of lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema, contributes to heart disease, fatigue, paranoia, possible psychosis; withdrawal symptoms including insomnia, hyperactivity and decreased appetite; depression of the immune system, decreased sperm count in men and irregular ovulation in women, possible sperm and ovum damage.
  • Federal Laws
    • Under 50-kg – Max: 20 years / $1,000,000 100 - 1,000-kg – Max: 5 years / $42,000,000 Over 1,000-kg – Min:? years-life / $4,000,000 Hashish oil under 100-kg penalties are more severe from like quantities of Marijuana. Students convicted of drug offenses may also lose or become ineligible for financial aid.
  • Utah Laws to Possess
    • Under 1 oz: Up to six months and/or up to $1,000 fine (Class B misdemeanor). 1-16 oz: Up to one year and/or up to five years and/or $2,500 fine (Class A misdemeanor). 16 oz. or more: Up to five years and/or up to $5,000 fine (third degree felony).
  • Utah Laws to Possess with Intent
    • From 1-15 years and/or up to $10,000 fine (second degree felony).
Alcohol: Beer, wine, distilled spirits
  • Health Risks
    • May be psychologically and physically addictive. Obvious effects represent the body’s reaction to the poisoning effects of alcohol, and hangover. Can cause vitamin deficiencies, stomach problems, infection, skin problems, sexual impotence, liver damage, disorders of the heart and blood vessels, pneumonia, cancer of the lungs, throat and mouth; accidents and suicides. Drinking while pregnant increases risks of damage to the fetus. Withdrawal from long-term use without medical supervision can be fatal.
  • Federal Laws
    • Alcohol may only be used by those 21 years of age or older.
  • Utah Laws to Possess
    • Minors may not buy, possess or drink alcohol, nor lie about their age, nor have someone else lie about their age to obtain alcohol (class B misdemeanor). No one may purchase an alcoholic beverage or product if under the influence of alcohol or other drugs (class B misdemeanor).
  • Utah Laws to Possess with Intent
    • Selling or otherwise furnishing or supplying alcohol to a minor is a class A misdemeanor. Up to five years and/or up to $5,000 fine (third degree felony).

Additional Utah Laws

  • Obtaining or distributing under false pretenses: Maximum penalty five years imprisonment +/or $25,000 fine (felony)
  • Paraphernalia: use, possession or sale of drug-related paraphernalia: Maximum penalty: five years imprisonment +/or $5,000 fine (felony)
  • Inhalants: sale or use of psychotropic chemicals (glue, paint, etc.) to get high. Maximum penalty: six months imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine (misdemeanor)

**Under some circumstances is classified as a misdemeanor

Penalties are based on type of drug and quantity involved in the violation. Penalties increase if death or injury occurs as a result of a violation and/or previous offenses have occurred. For more detailed information, contact the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Center on campus (613-5377).

Utah laws are not based on the amount of the drug except for marijuana. Penalties for illicit drug use are governed by federal laws and penalties and the State of Utah will enforce them to their fullest extent as provided by federal law.

  • Prohibited acts occurring in public or private school-related sites or with a minor: punished one degree more than regular maximum penalty.
  • Dram Shop Liability: You may be held responsible for damages as a result of alcohol you served even though you did not directly cause the injury
  • Intoxication as a Defense: Generally, you cannot claim innocence because you were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
  • DUI: It is illegal to be in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
  • Not a Drop: A person under the age of 21 may not operate a vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in his/her system
  • Open container: It is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle except in areas not accessible to the driver and passenger
  • Property: Used in connection with a controlled substance violation may be confiscated.

You can find additional information online for Utah drug laws and Utah alcohol laws.

For detailed information on the effects of various types of alcohol and drugs on health and wellness, please refer to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

All reported drug and alcohol related incidents reported on campus are reviewed by the Safety Committee at its quarterly meetings. Response plans are formulated and executed as necessary.

Thank you to CEU for originating the information on the page.

Substance Abuse Prevention:

Substance Abuse Prevention: Davis Technical College supports a drug and alcohol-free environment.