Florida Career College is committed to education and career training, which means promoting a positive drug and alcohol-free environment for its students and campus staff. Therefore, the Florida Career College campuses and workplaces have policies that exclude:
- Arriving to class or one’s workplace inebriated or under the influence of drugs, including illegally obtained prescription drugs.
- Being under the influence of legally prescribed drugs including marijuana, it can impair motor functions, judgment, and cognitive ability to perform one’s job or put people in jeopardy.
- Illegally manufacturing, possessing, or distributing controlled substances on campus or at the workplace. Selling, transferring, storing, or purchasing alcoholic beverages at FCC is also against campus policy.
Violating any of these prohibitions will invoke appropriate disciplinary action, including dismissal from school or employment (even if it’s a first offense) and the involvement of law enforcement if necessary.
Alcohol & Marijuana Use
Even though the recreational use of marijuana has been legalized in many states, the use and/or possession of marijuana on campus or in the workplace is a violation of school and workplace policy and may result in the appropriate disciplinary action including dismissal from the school or termination.
Alcohol can be very addicting and excessive drinking can lead to a higher risk of health issues such as cancer, liver disease, injuries, and violence. Those that are under the age of 21 or consistently binge drink are especially at a higher risk. According to a health study conducted in 2016, about 48.5 million people in the United States (or 18 percent of minors ages 12 and older) have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs in the year prior which includes heroin, hallucinogens, methamphetamines, inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, and other opioids. Another 2.2 million people in that same year admitted that they sought rehab or treatment to diminish or stop their drug use because of medical problems associated with their addiction.
Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States.
Regarding people ages 20 and under, alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the U.S., responsible for around 4,300 deaths per year. Although it is illegal for those under 21 to drink alcohol, it accounts for 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the U.S.
Underage drinkers tend to consume more alcohol in a single sitting than adults who drink. Ninety percent of adult and underage drinkers also participate in binge drinking. Alcohol abuse accounts for 1 out of 10 deaths in the American workforce and 9 out of 10 binge drinkers are not dependent on alcohol.
What Happens When a Person Drinks Too Much?
When people abuse alcohol on a regular basis, it affects much more than just their selves, it hurts their family and puts their community at risk. Some common outcomes from alcohol abuse include:
- High blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, cancer, and stroke.
- An increased sexual risk that could result in contracting an STD, HIV, or unintended pregnancy.
- Car crashes and DUI offenses, resulting in possible injury and even death.
- Increased risk of violence, depression, and falls, suicide, homicide, or sexual assault.
- Pregnant women who drink alcohol risk passing on any number of fetal alcohol disorders to their newborns that could result in behavioral, physical, or learning disabilities later in their life.
Treatment & Resources
Florida Career College is committed to its students’ and employees’ success, therefore it can offer information on appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, and substance abuse counseling programs in a confidential setting.
Students and employees may voluntarily contact the Campus President/Executive Director or direct supervisor, in confidence, for referrals or information regarding available and appropriate substance abuse counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation programs.
Some Resources That Can Help People Fight Addiction Include the Following:
The Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Hotline
1-800-ALCOHOL
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Link to Videos & Websites:
https://www.cdc.gov/family/college/index.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTiq0odyTsE
Sources for statistics:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
