Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

The Institution is committed to providing a safe, secure, and drug-free learning and working environment in compliance with federal and state law.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

It is the policy of the Institution to maintain a drug-free and alcohol-free environment on all Institution premises and at all Institution-sponsored activities. Employees and students are expected to abide by the Institution’s Drug-Free Workplace and Drug & Alcohol policies, which prohibit the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substance that creates impairment on campus or during any Institution-related activity.

Employees and students are also prohibited from:

• Reporting to class, work, clinicals, externship, or any Institution activity while impaired by alcohol, controlled substances, or any other substance that creates impairment or hinders the ability to perform student duties and responsibilities; and
• Possessing or using marijuana on campus or during Institution-related activities, regardless of any state medical marijuana authorization.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and the Institution enforces this policy consistent with federal requirements.

A description of applicable legal sanctions for unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol under federal, state, and local law is included in the Institution’s Annual Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention disclosure. Resources for drug and alcohol counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation are also available through the Institution’s student and employee support services.

Violations of the Institution’s drug and alcohol policies may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal (students) or termination (employees), and may also result in referral to appropriate law enforcement authorities where warranted.

Included in the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program are:

1. A description of the applicable legal sanctions and penalties under Federal, State, and Local law for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
2. Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties.
3. A list of any drug or alcohol counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, or re-entry programs in the area.
4. A description of the health risks associated with Illicit Drugs.
5. The Effects of Alcohol.
6. Tips for Preventing Substance Abuse.

This notice and material included in the institution’s drug and alcohol abuse prevention program is directly distributed to all prospective and enrolled students and all new and current employees. This notice and material is also directly distributed annually no later than July 1.

I am aware that as an employee or student of the institution, I agree to abide by the terms of the “Statement of Drug Free Workplace and Institution of Higher Education” and also to notify the institution of any criminal drug statute convictions for violations occurring on the premises of or at any of its related activities.

Biennial Review
The institution conducted a biennial review of its drug and alcohol prevention program at the end of the 2025/2026 Award Year and determined that the program is sound. There were no drug or alcohol-related violations that occurred on the institution’s campus or as part of any of the institution’s activities and therefore, there were no sanctions imposed.

Notice To Students Concerning Penalties For Drug Violations

This notice provides information on the penalties associated with drug-related offenses under section 484(r) of the Higher Education Act. It also provides notice on how to regain eligibility after conviction of a drug related offense.

The institution will provide a timely notice to each student who has lost eligibility for any grant, loan, or work-study assistance as a result of penalties under 484(r)(1) of the HEA and will advise the student of the ways in which to regain eligibility under section 484(r)(2) of the HEA.

(r) SUSPENSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES-

1. IN GENERAL- A student who has been convicted of any offense under any Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance shall not be eligible to receive any grant, loan, or work assistance under this title during the period beginning on the date of such conviction and ending after the interval specified in the following table:

If convicted of an offense involving:

2. REHABILITATION- A student whose eligibility has been suspended under paragraph (1) may resume eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period determined under such paragraph if--
   1. the student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program that--
      1. complies with such criteria as the Secretary shall prescribe in regulations for purposes of this paragraph; and
      2. includes two unannounced drug tests; or
   2. the conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered nugatory.

	Federal Sanctions and Penalties for Unlawful Possession or Distribution of Illicit Drugs https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/frequently-used-federal-drug-statutes
	West Virginia Uniform Controlled Substance Act https://www.wvlegislature.gov/WVCODE/code.cfm?chap=60A&art=4&section=401
	Morgantown, WV Code of Ordinances https://library.municode.com/wv/morgantown/codes/code_of_ordinances
	DEA Resource Guide – Drugs of Abuse and Federal Trafficking Penalties https://www.ussc.gov/research/quick-facts/drug-trafficking https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/commonly-used-drugs-charts
	Drug and Alcohol Treatment Facilities in or Near Morgantown, WV https://www.freerehabcenters.org/city/wv-morgantown
	Health Consequences of Drug Misuse https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/addiction-health
	Helpful Tips to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Abuse https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/index.html
	https://treatmentsolutions.com/blog/top-5-ways-to-prevent-substance-abuse/