Central Michigan University (CMU) is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy campus community through education, information and intervention concerning alcohol and other drugs. Among other efforts, the university is committed to maintaining a work and academic environment that is free from illegal use and misuse of alcohol and drugs in accordance with all federal, state and local laws, including the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and related regulations. CMU endeavors to educate its students, staff and faculty regarding the dangers of alcohol and illicit drugs because the use of alcohol and illegal drugs poses a health threat to members of the university community.
CMU is required by law to notify all students, faculty and staff annually of alcohol and other drug policies, sanctions and the risks associated with use. This notification provides the campus community with the following information:
- Alcohol and drug programs available to students and staff
- Health risks associated with alcohol abuse and illicit drug use
- Applicable university policies and standards of conduct and disciplinary sanctions for students and staff regarding alcohol and drug use
- Federal and state legal sanctions
Keeping CMU safe depends on all university community members' cooperation, involvement, and support. I appreciate you reviewing the information provided below and doing your part in maintaining a safe and healthy campus community.
Available alcohol and drug programs
Resources for faculty, staff and students
CMU encourages employees and students to utilize treatment services and referral resources to address alcohol and other drug abuse and dependence. In addition, the university provides the following support services to faculty, staff and students.
University Health Services
Foust Hall 200
(989) 774-5693
TDD: (989) 774-3055
Medical Care and Referral for CMU Students
Counseling Center
Foust Hall 102
(989) 774-3381
Individual and Group Counseling and Referral for CMU Students
Care Advocates:
- East Success Center: (989) 774-1879
- North Success Center: (989) 774-3947
- South Success Center: (989) 774-3089
- Towers Success Center: (989) 774-6601
Employee Assistance Program/Encompass
- (800) 788-8630
Human Resources
Rowe Hall 114
(989) 774-6447
TDD: (989) 774-6566
Center for Community Counseling and Development
EHS Building 326
(989) 774-3532
CMCREW (Central Michigan Collegiate Recovery Education Wellness)133 Foust Hall
(989) 774-CREW (2739)
Office of Student ConductRonan Hall 280
(989) 774-1345
Office of Residence Life
Ronan Hall 270
(989) 774-311
CMU PoliceCombined Services Building
(989) 774-3081
Health risks
Risks associated with alcohol abuse and illicit drug use
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences. Those with SUD have an intense focus on using substance(s) to the point where the person's ability to function in day-to-day life becomes impaired. People keep using the substance even when they know it is causing or will cause problems. Severe SUDs are sometimes called addictions.
People can develop an addiction to
Alcohol; marijuana; PCP, LSD, other hallucinogens; inhalants (paint thinner, glue); opioid painkillers (codeine, oxycodone, heroin); sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics (anxiety medications like tranquilizers); cocaine, methamphetamine, other stimulants; tobacco; caffeine.
Possible symptoms
Those with SUD may have distorted thinking and behaviors. Changes in the brain's structure and function are what cause people to have intense cravings, personality changes, abnormal movements, and other behaviors. Brain imaging studies show changes in the areas of the brain that relate to judgment, decision-making, learning, memory, and behavioral control.
Repeated substance use can cause changes in how the brain functions. These changes can last long after the immediate effects of the substance wears off (i.e. after the period of intoxication).
Intoxication is the intense pleasure, euphoria, calm, increased perception/sense, and other feelings caused by the substance. Intoxication symptoms vary by substance. When someone has a SUD, they usually build up a tolerance to the substance, meaning they need larger amounts to feel the effects.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people begin taking drugs for a variety of reasons:
• to feel good - feeling pleasure, "high" or "intoxication"
• to feel better - relieve stress, forget problems, feel numb
• to do better - improve performance/thinking
• curiosity, peer pressure, experimenting
In addition to substances, people can also develop an addiction to behaviors such as gambling.
People with SUD and behavioral addictions may be aware of their problem but are not able to stop even if they want and try to. The addiction may cause physical and psychological problems, plus interpersonal problems with family members, friends or at work. Alcohol and drug use is one of the leading causes of preventable illnesses and premature death nationwide.
SUD symptoms grouped into 4 categories
Impaired control: a craving or strong urge to use the substance; desire or failed attempts to cut down or control substance use.
Social problems: substance use causes failure to complete major tasks at work, school or home; social, work or leisure activities are given up or cut back.
Risky use: substance is used in risky settings; continued use despite known problems.
Drug effects: tolerance(larger amounts needed for same effect); withdrawal symptoms (vary by substance).
Often, another psychiatric disorder precedes SUD, or use of a substance may trigger or worsen another psychiatric disorder.
Applicable university policies
Standards of conduct and disciplinary sanctions for students and staff regarding alcohol and drug use
CMU’s Student Code of Conduct is enforced by the Office of Student Conduct. The Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures is online. Students receive information about alcohol and drugs during orientation programs. Students living in university housing are expected to follow policies that are outlined in the Residence Life Handbook.
Students who violate the Alcohol Policy or the Controlled Substances Policy can expect the following sanctions*:
| First Offense | Second Offense | Third Offense |
$300 fine | $400 fine Substance Abuse Evaluation w/ CMCREW Disciplinary probation Parental notification | $500 fine Substance Abuse Evaluation w/ CMCREW Disciplinary probation Parental notification Or suspension/dismissal from CMU |
* The Office of Student Conduct reserves the right to change/modify these sanctions as necessary.
Human Resources and Faculty Personnel Services address allegations of policy violations by employees and support departments in administering sanctions for policy violations, when appropriate.
Federal and state legal sanctions
This summary is not intended to be an exhaustive review of all alcohol-related laws and legal sanctions. Not all laws that may apply to a particular situation are included here. This summary is intended only to inform and educate and should not be construed as legal advice.
Federal Trafficking Penalties for Schedule I, II, III, IV and V Drugs (except Marijuana)
Drug:
• Cocaine (Schedule II) 55-4999 grams mixture
• Cocaine Base Schedule II) 28-279 grams mixture
• Fentanyl (Schedule II) 40-399 grams mixture
• Fentanyl Analogue (Schedule I) 10-99 grams mixture
• Heroin (Schedule I) 100-999 grams mixture
• LSD (Schedule I) 1-9 grams mixture
• Methamphetamine (Schedule II) 5-49 grams pure or 50-499 grams mixture
• PCP (Schedule II) 10-99 grams pure or 100-999 grams mixture
Penalties:
• 1st Offense: Not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 or more than life. Fine of not more than $5 million if an individual, $25 million if not an individual.
• 2nd Offense: Not less than 10 years and not more than life. If death or serious
injury, life imprisonment. Fine of not more than $8 million if an individual, $50 million if not an individual.
Drug:
• Cocaine (Schedule II) 5 kgs or more mixture
• Cocaine Base Schedule II) 280 grams or more mixture
• Fentanyl (Schedule II) 400 gram or more mixture
• Fentanyl Analogue (Schedule I) 100 grams or more mixture
• Heroin (Schedule I) 1 kg or more mixture
• LSD (Schedule I) 10 grams or more mixture
• Methamphetamine (Schedule II) 50 grams or more, pure or 500 grams or more
mixture
• PCP (Schedule II) 100 gm or more pure or 1 kg or more mixture
•Other Schedule I & II drugs (and any drug product containing Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid); in any amount and Flunitrazepam (Schedule IV); 1 gram
Penalties:
• 1st Offense: Not more than 20 years. If death or serious injury, not less than 20
years, or more than life. Fine of $1 million if an individual, $5 million if not an individual.
• 2nd Offense: Not more than 30 years. If death or serious nondaily injury, life
imprisonment. Fine $2 million if an individual, $10 million if not an individual.
Drug: Other Schedule III drugs; any amount
Penalties:
• 1st Offense: Not more than 10 years. If death or serious injury, not more than 15
years. Fine of not more than $500,000 if an individual, $2.5 million if not an individual.
• 2nd Offense: Not more than 20 years. If death or serious injury, not more than 30
years. Fine of not more than $1 million if an individual, $5 million if not an individual.
Drug: All other Schedule IV drugs; any amount and Flunitrazepam (Schedule IV); other than 1 gram or more
Penalties:
• 1st Offense: Not more than 5 years. Fine of not more than $250,000 if an individual, $2 million if not an individual.
• 2nd Offense: Not more than 10 years. Fine of not more than $500,000 if an
individual, $2 million if not an individual.
Drug: All Schedule V drugs; any amount
Penalties:
• 1st Offense: Not more than 1 year. Fine of not more than $100,000 if an individual, $250,000 if not an individual.
• 2nd Offense: Not more than 4 years. Fine of not more than $200,000 if an
individual, $500,000 if not an individual.
Federal Trafficking Penalties for Marijuana
Drug: Marijuana
Enormous Amount: 1,000 kg or more mixture; 1,000 or more plants
• 1st Offense: Not less than 10 years, not more than life. Fine not more than $10
million if an individual, $50 million if other than an individual.
• 2nd Offense: Not less than 20 years, not more than life. Fine not more than $20
million if an individual, $75 million if other than an individual.
Large Amount: 100-999kg mixture; 100-999 plants
• 1st Offense: Not less than 5 years, not more than 40 years. Fine note more than $5
million if an individual, $25 million if other than and individual.
• 2nd Offense: Not less than 20 years, not more than life. Fine note more that $8
million if an individual, $50 million if other than an individual.
Medium Amount: 50-99 kg mixture; or 50-99 plants
• 1st Offense: Not more than 20 years. Fine $1 million if an individual, $5 million if other than an individual.
• 2nd Offense: Not more than 30 years. Fine $2 million if an individual, $10 million if other than an individual.
Small Amount: Less than 50 kg mixture; 1-49 plants (does not include 50 or more marijuana plants regardless of weight)
• 1st Offense: Not more than 5 years. Fine not more than $250,000 if an individual,
$1 million if other than and individual.
• 2nd Offense: Not more than 10 years. Fine $500,000 if an individual, $2 million if other than an individual.
Hashish (small amount): 10 kg or less
• 1st Offense: Not more than 5 years
• 2nd Offense: Not more than 10 years. Fine $500,000 if an individual, $2 million if other than an individual.
Hashish Oil (small amount): 1 kg or less
• 1st Offense: Not more than 5 years
• 2nd Offense: Not more than 10 years. Fine $500,000 if an individual, $2 million if other than an individual.
State of Michigan Laws for Alcohol and Other Drugs
Michigan Medical Marijuana Act & Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act
The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA) and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, conflict with federal criminal laws governing controlled substances, as well as federal laws that require institutions receiving federal funds from contract or grants to maintain a drug-free campus and workplace (see Department of Ed Section 484(r) for information on Higher Education Act of 1965 and rules regarding suspension of Federal Financial Aid for drug-related offenses). CMU receives federal funding that would be jeopardized if those federal laws did not take precedence over state law. Thus, the use, possession, distribution or transportation of marijuana in any form and for any purpose violates this Policy and is prohibited on CMU property or at CMU-sponsored activities or events.
Under Michigan's Public Health Code, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle:
- While intoxicated or impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs and some prescribed
medications - With a bodily alcohol content of 0.08 or more (This crime is one of Michigan’s
driving while intoxicated offenses) - With any amount of cocaine or a Schedule 1 controlled substance in your body
- Additionally, for persons under the age of 21 it is also against Michigan law to:
- Drive with a bodily alcohol content of 0.02 or more, or with the presence of
alcohol in the body, except for that consumed at a generally recognized religious ceremony. - To possess or transport an unopened alcohol container in a motor vehicle,
regardless if it is in the driver or passenger area. - To allow anyone to use their motor vehicle after they have been drinking.
- To use a fake I.D. to obtain alcohol.
- To purchase, provide or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.
- To serve anyone under the age of 21 at a private party; hosts of such parties can be held responsible for injuries that an intoxicated person causes or incurs, at or after leaving, a party.
- Drive with a bodily alcohol content of 0.02 or more, or with the presence of
Pursuant to Michigan Public Health Code of 1978
- MCL 333.7404 - Individuals shall not use a controlled substance or controlled substance analog unless the substance was obtained directly from, or pursuant to, a valid prescription or order of a practitioner while acting in the course of the practitioner's professional practice.
- MCL 333.7403 - It is illegal for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog, or a prescription form unless the controlled substance, controlled substance analog, or prescription form was obtained directly from or pursuant to, a valid prescription or order of a practitioner while acting in the course of the practitioner's professional practice.
- It is illegal to give or sell prescribed drugs to another person.
- It is illegal to give or sell prescribed drugs to another person.
- MCL 333.7401 - Individuals are prohibited from manufacturing, creating, delivering or possessing with the intent to manufacture, create, or deliver a controlled substance, a prescription form, or a counterfeit prescription form.
Penalties for Violation of Michigan Laws
CMU acknowledges and respects the rights of individuals to use alcohol in a legal and responsible manner and supports the laws of the State of Michigan. We strive to create an environment that supports healthy decisions and lifestyles.
State of Michigan Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Violations
Penalties for violating Michigan law vary depending on the crime and whether it is a first, second or third offence. For drug crimes the amount and nature of the drug are determining factors. Actual sentences may differ at the discretion of the Judge.
Operating a Motor Vehicle with the Presence of Alcohol or other Drugs
Michigan laws and penalties for drunk or drugged driving vary, but as general rule the law requires:
- Courts to decide drunk or drugged driving violations within 77 days after arrest
- A mandatory 6-month driver's license suspension, with possible restricted license after 30 days
- Court to order participation in, and successful completion of, 1 or more
rehabilitation programs; in instances of a second conviction the Court must order this rehabilitation - Five days to 1 year of jail time, or 30 to 90 days of community service, or both for second convictions of drunk or drugged driving
- Harsher license sanctions for multiple drunk or drugged driving convictions
Payment of fines and costs, driver responsibility fees, as well as license reinstatement fees
