Drug Free Schools and Communities Act

Drug and Alcohol Policy Statement

Texas Southmost College is a drug- and alcohol-free college and workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, purchase, dispensation, possession, or use of an illegal drug or alcohol by students and employees on college property or as a part of any college-sponsored activity is prohibited. Students violating any provision of the drug and alcohol policies are subject to disciplinary sanctions ranging from suspension to referral for prosecution. Employees who violate any provision of the drug and alcohol policies may be subject to disciplinary action up to termination. Information regarding drug and alcohol problems, as well as referral services, is available at the Office of Counseling and Student Accessibility Resources, and for employees, please see Human Resources page

For a copy of TSC’s Drug-Free Schools, Campuses, and Workplace Operating Procedure, please scroll to the TSC Resources section at the bottom of the page.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Drug and alcohol use, misuse, and abuse are complex behaviors with many outcomes at both the cultural and the individual levels. Awareness of the dangerous effects of drug/alcohol use is imperative for an individual’s well-being or survival. Negative consequences of drug/alcohol may be exhibited through physical dependence (the body’s learned requirement of a drug for functioning) or psychological dependence (the experiencing of persistent craving for the drug and/or a feeling the drug/alcohol is a requirement for functioning).

Abuse of any drug/alcohol, whether licit or illicit, may result in marginal to marked, temporary to permanent physical and/or psychological damage, even death. Since many of the illicit drugs are manufactured and sold illegally, their content varies and may contain especially harmful ingredients or amounts. Regardless of the types of drug/alcohol utilized, a perceived need for continued use is likely to ensue, resulting in dependence. Dependence on drugs and/or alcohol alters the user’s psychological functioning. The acquisition of drugs and alcohol becomes the primary focus of the drug-dependent individual and often results in reduced job performance and jeopardized family and other interpersonal relationships. Criminal behavior is frequently the means for financing a drug habit. Behavior patterns often include violence and assault as the individual becomes increasingly drug/alcohol dependent. Social and psychological alienation and medical problems increase as the abuser becomes entrapped in drug/alcohol dependence.

TSC Referrals

Drug/alcohol counseling and referrals are available in the Office of Counseling and Student Accessibility Resources, and for employees, please see the Human Resources page.