Student Life Handbook: Policies and Procedures Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act

Consistent with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, Westmont has adopted and implemented policies that are intended to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or manufacture of illegal drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs by students and employees. Substance abuse exposes the user to a variety of significant health risks*, affects the family and the community and under certain circumstances subjects the user to a range of college sanctions, state, federal and local penalties**. College policy prohibits the unlawful use and presence of all controlled substances and any related paraphernalia. Students and employees are also prohibited from exceeding the dosage of physician-prescribed medications or consuming another individual’s prescription medication.

Violation of college policy with respect to drug use or possession is a serious breach of our behavioral expectations, and students who violate this policy are subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences, including expulsion from the college. When there is reasonable suspicion of drug use by a student, the college may request that the student submit to a drug test as part of the student conduct process. The student may refuse the test; however, the college may draw negative inferences from that refusal. Random drug testing is a typical sanction for a student who is found responsible for a drug related violation.

If you need help or know someone with a drug-related problem, please know that Health Center and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provide confidential consultations and also make referrals to outside counseling and treatment services. Faculty and staff may contact Human Resources to access help that is available through Westmont’s Employee Assistance Program.

*Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Drug Abuse

The risk of many harmful health conditions associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs are significant and include but are not limited to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Neurological impairment
• Kidney Failure
• Cirrhosis of the Liver
• Bronchitis, Respiratory and Cardiac Failure
• Cancer
• Death

For more information on the health risks associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

**State, Local and Federal Penalties for Alcohol and Drug Violations

All laws related to the unlawful possession, use, manufacture, sale or furnishing of alcohol and other drugs do not appear here. Members of the Westmont community are responsible for knowing and abiding by all current and applicable laws.

Alcohol

In the state of California, persons under the age of 21 shall not purchase, consume or possess alcoholic beverages. In addition, it is against California law to sell or furnish alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age. Any person who sells, provides, gives or causes to be sold an alcoholic beverage to any person under the age of 21 is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250 and/or no more than 32 hours of community service for the first offense with increased penalties for additional violations.

Any person under the age of 21 who purchases alcoholic beverages or consumes alcoholic beverages is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250 and/or no more than 32 hours of community service for the first offense with increased penalties for additional violations.

Westmont prohibits the presence or consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus and at off-campus Westmont student-sponsored related activities. Any student in the presence of alcohol on campus (regardless of who actually owns it or who brought it to campus) will be considered in violation of this policy.

Westmont prohibits the presence of full or empty alcoholic beverage containers anywhere on campus, including vehicles. Students are responsible to ensure that no guest brings full or empty alcohol containers on campus.

Drugs

Opiates, Stimulants & Anabolic Steroids

Under federal and state law, the unlawful sale, transport, manufacture, furnishing or possession of certain opiate and stimulant drugs, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Xanax, Oxycodone and Steroids, is a felony subject to penalty of state imprisonment, fine and/or forfeiture of property. Further, the law provides for sentencing enhancement that will increase the severity of penalties for certain offenses.

Marijuana (Possessing, Cultivating, Selling)

Westmont students may not possess or consume marijuana on or off campus. Marijuana remains a schedule I drug under the Federal Controlled Substance Act. Possession, cultivation, sale, distribution and/or consumption of marijuana remains illegal under federal law and is a violation of college policy and subject to the full range of disciplinary sanctions.

Penalties for Sale and Possession

You can find information regarding the state penalties for the sale and/or possession of illicit drugs here.

Medical Marijuana

While the state of California permits the licensed use of marijuana under its Compassionate Use Act, the sale, use, and possession of marijuana remains unlawful under federal law. Therefore, the college prohibits its use, sale or possession both on and off campus.

Suspension of Eligibility for Federal Student Aid for Drug Related Offenses

Drug convictions also impact financial aid eligibility. A student who has been criminally convicted of any offense under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance is ineligible to receive any federal financial aid (including any grant, loan, or work assistance). Financial aid eligibility will be suspended beginning on the date of any conviction and ending at the time specified below:

You can find more information on eligibility here.

Last Updated on 8/6/19

Last Reviewed on 7/7/23