Drugs and Alcohol
About This Policy
- Responsible Office
- Student Development Campus Life
Drugs
The University prohibits the possession, use and sale of illegal drugs. The possession, use and sale of illegal drugs and controlled substances is a violation of University policy, the Student Code of Conduct, and Federal and New Jersey law. Individuals engaging in this activity are referred to University Police for criminal prosecution. In addition, students and employees engaged in this activity will be subject to discipline. Illegal drugs or controlled substances refers to those defined as illegal under federal, state, and/or local laws and include, but are not limited to, all forms of narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, or other drugs whose use, possession, or transfer is restricted or prohibited by law (except for drugs prescribed by a physician or dentist and used according to instructions for the purpose for which they were prescribed).
When such activity occurs on campus, Montclair State University shall initiate appropriate measures, which may include disciplinary action. When such activity occurs off campus, Montclair State nevertheless may consider initiating disciplinary action if the University determines that the activity has a substantial adverse effect upon the University or upon individuals of the University community. In addition, such matters may be reported by the University to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
A federal or state drug conviction (but not a local or municipal conviction) can disqualify a student for FSA funds. Convictions only count against a student for aid eligibility purposes (FAFSA question 23c) if they were for an offense that occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving federal student aid.
Since involvement with drugs may be associated with medical and psychological problems, students and others with drug problems may be referred to Psychological Services. Students should be aware that Montclair State continually develops and offers programs and courses on drug education and prevention. Individual and group counseling is also available on campus and off-campus at rates determined on a sliding scale, based on ability to pay.
Alcohol
The University prohibits the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21 years of age. The possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21 years of age is a violation of University policy, the Student Code of Conduct, and New Jersey law. Individuals engaging in this activity are referred to University Police for criminal prosecution. In addition, students and employees engaged in this activity will be subject to discipline.
University policy related to possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages grows out of two principles: (1) the laws of the State of New Jersey must be strictly enforced and (2) any consumption must occur within a social framework wherein beverages are not the focus of the event.
Students and others with alcohol abuse problems should be aware that they may be referred to Psychological Services for referral and/or counseling information. In addition, a series of programs and courses on alcohol are offered by the University. Individual and group counseling is also available on campus and off-campus at rates determined on a sliding scale, based upon ability to pay.
All applicable state and municipal penalties will be imposed by the appropriate municipal, county or State court. In addition to Municipal and State penalties, there are Montclair State penalties for offenses committed. The Dean of Students or designee will be notified of all offenses and will initiate action as outlined in the Non-Academic Disciplinary Procedures of the Student Handbook. A copy of the campus guidelines concerning alcohol consumption may be obtained in the Dean of Students’ Office.
New Jersey Laws Prohibiting Sale, Possession, Distribution, and Consumption of Alcohol
In New Jersey the sale of alcoholic beverages to individuals under age 21 is prohibited. Furthermore, the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited unless under the authority of a license or permit. Sale of alcoholic beverages on the Montclair State University campus is permitted to individuals who are 21 years of age or older, and restricted to the University Hall Conference Center or other college premises eligible for Alcoholic Beverage Commission Special Permits. Because a majority of Montclair State University students are under the age of 21, the sale and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted only in those areas and at those times when special permission has been obtained from the appropriate administrative office on campus.
Residence Halls and Hawk Crossings Apartments
No alcohol will be permitted in any of the residence halls, or Hawk Crossings Apartments, including residents’ rooms and common areas such as lounges and recreation rooms. Residents are held directly responsible for the conduct of their guests.
The University promotes an alcohol-free residence hall community as part of a strong academic environment. Because the majority of campus residents are under age and due to the challenges of alcohol abuse, alcohol is prohibited in the residence halls. Possession of alcohol, or empty alcohol cans, bottles, etc., constitutes a violation and may result in strict disciplinary action and/or dismissal from the residence community. Students may be asked to reveal the contents of bags, boxes, etc., if reasonable suspicion of possible alcohol possession exists.
The Village at Little Falls
Alcohol possession and consumption are permitted only in the Village apartments where all residents are of legal drinking age and where there are no guests who are not of legal drinking age and only inside the apartments.
In keeping with NJ laws regarding alcohol, and the University’s own philosophy regarding substance use and abuse, only Village residents 21 years of age or older may possess and consume alcohol inside their apartments and only under the following conditions: 1) no alcohol deliveries are permitted to the apartments, 2) no alcohol is permitted outside the buildings or in hallways/stairwells, or other common areas outside of apartments and 3) no alcohol is given to individuals under 21 years of age. In addition, quantities of alcohol are limited based on the guidelines outlined in the Department of Residential Education and Services handbook.
Criminal Offenses and Penalties under New Jersey Law Pertaining to Abuse of Alcohol
N.J.S.A 33:1-2 makes it unlawful to directly or indirectly sell alcoholic beverages to any person of any age without a license or special permit issued by the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Sale is construed to include admission charges, the sale of cups, the sale of tickets, and/or the acceptance of donations.
N.J.S.A 2C:33-17 states any alcoholic beverage available to a person under the legal drinking age, in public or private, without an adult parent or guardian present and consenting, is punishable by a fine of $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail.
Note: It is NOT A DEFENSE to any of the above charges that the accused believed the person to be of legal drinking age, EVEN if that belief was reasonable. The only available defense is based on the presentation of a photographic identification card or driver license, issued by a state.
N.J.S.A 2C:33-15 provides for MINIMUM fine of $500, suspension of driving privileges for six months and requires participation in an Alcohol Education Program for any person under the legal drinking age to possess, in any public place, any alcoholic beverage, regardless of whether or not the container is sealed.
N.J.S.A 39:4-50 provides for a MINIMUM $200 fine for any operator or passenger in a motor vehicle found to be in possession of any open container of an alcoholic beverage, regardless of his/her age.
N.J.S.A 33:1-81 makes it an offense, punishable as outlined below, for:
1) a person under the legal drinking age to enter a licensed premise with the intent to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages;
2) a person under the legal drinking age to purchase or consume alcoholic beverage on a licensed premise;
3) a person of legal drinking age to purchase an alcoholic beverage FOR a person under the legal drinking age;
4) a person under the legal drinking age to misrepresent or misstate his/her age in connection with the sale or service of any alcoholic beverage.
A person convicted of a violation of any of these provisions is subject to the following penalties for EACH violation: a MINIMUM fine of $100 AND a MANDATORY one year loss of driving privilege, AND court ordered participation in an Alcoholic Education Program.
N.J.S.A 39:4-50 et. seq. provides penalties for any person convicted of operating a motor vehicle anywhere within this State, on public or private property, while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug (including lawful drugs if the operator’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is impaired thereby).
New Jersey Laws Pertaining to Illegal Use of Drugs:
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10. Possession, Use or Being under the Influence
a. a. It is unlawful for any person, knowingly or purposely, to obtain, or to possess, actually or constructively, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog, unless the substance was obtained directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order form from a practitioner, while acting in the course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.). Any person who violates this section with respect to:
(1) A controlled dangerous substance, or its analog, classified in Schedule I, II, III or IV other than those specifically covered in this section, is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $35,000.00 may be imposed;
(2) Any controlled dangerous substance, or its analog, classified in Schedule V, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $15,000.00 may be imposed;
(3) Possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or more than five grams of hashish is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000.00 may be imposed; or
(4) Possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or five grams or less of hashish is a disorderly person.
Any person who commits any offense defined in this section while on any property used for school purposes which is owned by or leased to any elementary or secondary school or school board, or within 1,000 feet of any such school property or a school bus, or while on any school bus, and who is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment, shall, in addition to any other sentence which the court may impose, be required to perform not less than 100 hours of community service.
b. Any person who uses or who is under the influence of any controlled dangerous substance, or its analog, for a purpose other than the treatment of sickness or injury as lawfully prescribed or administered by a physician is a disorderly person.
c. Any person who knowingly obtains or possesses a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog in violation of subsection a. of this section and who fails to voluntarily deliver the substance to the nearest law enforcement officer is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to preclude a prosecution or conviction for any other offense defined in this title or any other statute.
2C:35-5. Manufacturing, distributing or dispensing
2C:35-5. Manufacturing, Distributing or Dispensing. a. Except as authorized by P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.), it shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or purposely:
(1) To manufacture, distribute or dispense, or to possess or have under his control with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; or
(2) To create, distribute, or possess or have under his control with intent to distribute, a counterfeit controlled dangerous substance.
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5.3a. Manufacturing, Distribution or Possessing CDS (Bath Salts)
a. Except as authorized by P.L.1970, c. 226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.), it is unlawful for any person knowingly or purposely to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or to possess or have under his control with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense flunitrazepam.
b. A person who violates subsection a. of this section with respect to flunitrazepam in a quantity of one gram or more is guilty of a crime of the first degree and, notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-3 or any other law, a fine of up to $250,000.00 may be imposed upon the person.
c. A person who violates subsection a. of this section with respect to flunitrazepam in a quantity of less than one gram is guilty of a crime of the second degree and, notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-3 or any other law, a fine of up to $150,000.00 may be imposed upon the person.
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-9 Strict Liability for Drug Induced Deaths
a. Any person who manufactures, distributes or dispenses methamphetamine, lysergic acid diethylamide, phencyclidine or any other controlled dangerous substance classified in Schedules I or II, or any controlled substance analog thereof, in violation of subsection a. of N.J.S. 2C:35-5, is strictly liable for a death which results from the injection, inhalation or ingestion of that substance, and is guilty of a crime of the first degree.
b. The provisions of N.J.S. 2C:2-3 (governing the causal relationship between conduct and result) shall not apply in a prosecution under this section. For purposes of this offense, the defendant’s act of manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a substance is the cause of a death when:
(1) The injection, inhalation or ingestion of the substance is an antecedent but for which the death would not have occurred; and
(2) The death was not:
(a) too remote in its occurrence as to have a just bearing on the defendant’s liability; or
(b) too dependent upon conduct of another person which was unrelated to the injection, inhalation or ingestion of the substance or its effect as to have a just bearing on the defendant’s liability.
c. It shall not be a defense to a prosecution under this section that the decedent contributed to his own death by his purposeful, knowing, reckless or negligent injection, inhalation or ingestion of the substance, or by his consenting to the administration of the substance by another.
d. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude or limit any prosecution for homicide. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S. 2C:1-8 or any other provision of law, a conviction arising under this section shall not merge with a conviction for leader of narcotics trafficking network, maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, or for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense the controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog which resulted in the death.
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.2. Obtaining or possessing gamma hydroxybutyrate without a prescription
a. It is a crime of the third degree for any person, knowingly or purposely, to obtain, or to possess, gamma hydroxybutyrate unless the substance was obtained directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order form from a practitioner, while acting in the course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by P.L.1970, c. 226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.).
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-3 or any other law, a fine of up to $100,000.00 may be imposed upon a person who violates this section.
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.3. Obtaining or possession flunitrazepam without a prescription
a. It is a crime of the third degree for any person, knowingly or purposely, to obtain, or to possess, flunitrazepam, unless the substance was obtained directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order form from a practitioner, while acting in the course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by P.L.1970, c. 226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.).
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-3 or any other law, a fine of up to $100,000.00 may be imposed upon a person who violates this section.
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.3a Unlawful Possession of CDS (Bath Salts)
a. It is a crime for any person, knowingly or purposely, to obtain, or to possess, substances containing: 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone, 4-MMC); 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV); 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone, MDMC), 4-methoxymethcathinone (methedrone, bk-PMMA, PMMC); 3-fluoromethcathinone (3-FMC); or 4-fluoromethcathinone (flephedrone, 4-FMC).
b. A person who violates subsection a. of this section where the quantity involved is one ounce or more is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
c. A person who violates subsection a. of this section where the quantity involved is less than one ounce is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-11 Possession of Imitation CDS with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of CDS
a. It is unlawful for any person to distribute or to possess or have under his control with intent to distribute any substance which is not a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog:
(1) Upon the express or implied representation to the recipient that the substance is a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; or
(2) Upon the express or implied representation to the recipient that the substance is of such nature, appearance or effect that the recipient will be able to distribute or use the substance as a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; or
(3) Under circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the substance is a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog.
Any of the following shall constitute prima facie evidence of such circumstances:
(a) The substance was packaged in a manner normally used for the unlawful distribution of controlled dangerous substances or controlled substance analogs.
(b) The distribution or attempted distribution of the substance was accompanied by an exchange of or demand for money or other thing as consideration for the substance, and the value of the consideration exceeded the reasonable value of the substance.
(c) The physical appearance of the substance is substantially the same as that of a specific controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog.
b. It is unlawful for any person to manufacture, compound, encapsulate, package or imprint any substance which is not a controlled dangerous substance, controlled substance analog or any combination of such substances, other than a prescription drug, with the purpose that it resembles or duplicates the physical appearance of the finished form, package, label or imprint of a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog.
c. In any prosecution under this section, it shall not be a defense that the defendant mistakenly believed a substance to be a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog.
d. A violation of this section is a crime of the third degree, except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $200,000.00 may be imposed.
e. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to (1) practitioners or agents, servants and employees of practitioners dispensing or administering non-controlled substances to patients on behalf of practitioners in the normal course of their business or professional practice; and (2) persons who manufacture, process, package, distribute or sell noncontrolled substances to practitioners for use as placebos in the normal course of their business, professional practice or research or for use in Federal Food and Drug Administration investigational new drug trials.
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-13 Obtaining CDS by Fraud
It shall be unlawful for any person to acquire or obtain possession of a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge. It shall be unlawful for any person to acquire or obtain possession of a forged or fraudulent certificate of destruction required pursuant to N.J.S.2C:35-21. A violation of this section shall be a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $50,000.00 may be imposed. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to preclude or limit a prosecution for theft as defined in chapter 20 of this title.
N.J.S.A. 2C36-2 Use or possession with intent to use; disorderly persons offense
It shall be unlawful for any person to use, or to possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance , controlled substance analog or toxic chemical in violation of the provisions of chapter 35 of this title. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3. Distribute, dispense or possess or manufacture with intent to distribute or dispense; crime of fourth degree
It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute or dispense, or possess with intent to distribute or dispense, or manufacture with intent to distribute or dispense, drug paraphernalia, knowing that it will be used to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, ingest, inhale or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance , controlled substance analog or toxic chemical in violation of the provisions of chapter 35 of this title. Any person who violates this section commits a crime of the fourth degree.
Criminal Penalties for Illegal Drug Use
Individuals who have been charged with a drug related offense that is not a first or second degree crime, will be transferred to Drug Court where they will be placed on probation up to 5 years and submit to drug rehabilitation treatment and intensive court supervision.
If an individual is convicted of a first degree crime, they are subject to imprisonment from 10 to 20 years, and a fine up to $200,000.
If an individual is convicted of a second degree crime, they are subject to imprisonment from 5 to 10 years, and a fine up to $150,000.
If an individual is convicted of a third degree crime, they are subject to imprisonment from 3 to 5 years, and a fine up to $15,000.
If an individual is convicted of a fourth degree crime, they are subject to imprisonment up to 18 months and a fine up to $10,000.
If an individual is convicted of a disorderly persons offense, they are subject to imprisonment up to 6 months and a fine up to $1,000.
If an individual is convicted of a petty disorderly persons offense, they are subject to imprisonment up to 30 days and a fine up to $500.
Individuals who are charged with a disorderly persons offense or petty disorderly persons offense, may be eligible for a conditional discharge subject to probation and supervisory treatment.
Individuals convicted of drug offenses may also be subject to mandatory loss of driving privileges of 6 months to 2 years unless the Court finds compelling circumstances that warrant an exception.