Student Guides & Policies

Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations

In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations which require that all students and employees receive annual notice of the laws/policies regarding alcohol and drug abuse, the following information is provided.

Drug or alcohol abuse can result in numerous physical, psychological, relational, and academic problems. These can include organ damage, physical injury, impaired judgment, risky sexual choices leading to sexually transmitted diseases, assaults, or unplanned pregnancy, poor mood management, and impaired motivation/concentration. Additional information on the risk of dependence, possible short and long term effects, and the effects of overdose can be found on the Student Resource Guide.

Services for students experiencing problems with alcohol and other drugs are available through the College. They include Student Health Services (704-637-4404), a Substance Abuse Information Program for education and assessment through the Counseling Services (704-637-4373). The College’s Employee Assistance Program (800-624-5544) provides assessment and referrals for employees free of charge.

Illegal or abusive use of drugs or alcohol by any member of the College community can adversely affect the educational environment and will not be accepted. Students and employees of Catawba College should not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance and the unlawful possession, dispensation, or use of alcohol. Students and employees are responsible for knowing and abiding by federal, state, and local laws regarding alcohol and other drugs, and individuals who choose to break these laws may encounter legal sanctions. Unlawful acts may result in fines, imprisonment and/ or revocation of driver’s license. More specifically, under North Carolina law, drug possession and sale carry the following mandatory minimum and maximum sentences:

• Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana up to 1/2 oz. = maximum 20 days imprisonment
• Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana more than 1/2 oz. and up to 1 1/2 oz. = maximum 120 days imprisonment
• Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia = maximum 120 days imprisonment
• Felony Possession of Marijuana (more than 1 1/2 oz.) = maximum 24 months imprisonment
• Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin, Opium, LSD, MDA, MDMA = maximum 24 months imprisonment
• Felony Sale of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance (Cocaine, Heroin, Opium, Oxycodone, LSD, MDA, MDMA) = maximum 47 months imprisonment
• Felony Sale of a Schedule III, IV, V or VI Controlled Substance (Marijuana, Anabolic Steroids) = maximum 39 months imprisonment
• Felony Manufacture Methamphetamine = maximum 231 months imprisonment

Felony Trafficking in Marijuana:

1. in excess of 10 pounds but less than 50 pounds = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 25 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 30 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $5,000.00
2. 50 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 35 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 42 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $25,000.00
3. 2,000 pounds or more but less than 10,000 pounds = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 70 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 84 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $50,000.00
4. 10,000 pounds or more = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 175 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 219 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $200,000.00

Felony Trafficking in Cocaine:

1. 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 35 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 42 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $50,000.00
2. 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 70 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 84 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $100,000.00
3. 400 grams or more = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 175 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 219 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $250,000.00

Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine:

1. 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 70 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 84 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $50,000.00
2. 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 90 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 117 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $100,000.00
3. 400 grams or more = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 225 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 279 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $250,000.00

Felony Trafficking in Opium or Heroin:

1. 4 grams or more but less than 14 grams = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 70 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 84 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $50,000.00
2. 14 grams or more but less than 28 grams = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 90 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 117 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $100,000.00
3. 28 grams or more = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 225 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 279 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $500,000.00

Felony Trafficking in LSD:

1. 100 or more dosage units but less than 500 dosage units = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 35 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 42 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $25,000.00
2. 500 or more dosage units but less than 1,000 dosage units = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 70 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 84 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $50,000.00
3. 1,000 or more dosage units = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 175 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 219 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $200,000.00

Felony Trafficking in MDA or MDMA:

1. 100 or more tablets, capsules, or dosage units but less than 500 tablets, capsules, or dosage units, or 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 35 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 42 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $25,000.00
2. 500 or more tablets, capsules, or dosage units but less than 1,000 tablets, capsules, or dosage units, or 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 70 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 84 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $50,000.00
3. 1,000 or more tablets, capsules, or dosage units, or 400 grams or more = mandatory minimum imprisonment of 175 months to a mandatory maximum imprisonment of 219 months, along with a mandatory minimum fine of $250,000.00

Students and employees are also responsible for abiding by the College’s substance abuse policies, which are available in the following resources:

• Alcohol Policy website (login required)
• Employee Handbook