The Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (PL 101-226) require, as a condition of receiving federal funds, that a university or college certify it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees (see 20 USC 1011i & 34 CFR 86 for more information).
Academy Di Capelli (ADC) has developed and adopted a drug and alcohol awareness and prevention program that meets the requirements set forth in the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. This policy is distributed annually to all students and employees.
01
Code of Conduct
All students and employees are prohibited from the unlawful possession, manufacture, use, or distribution of illegal drugs and alcohol on ADC's campuses and parking lots, or as part of any of the school's activities, including field trips and any other off-campus activities sponsored by ADC. Students and employees are also prohibited from being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol while on ADC's campuses, parking lots, or as part of any school-sponsored activities.
Statement on Medical Marijuana
Academy Di Capelli receives federal funding through Title IV. As a condition of accepting these funds, ADC is required to certify that it complies with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. The federal government regulates drugs through the Controlled Substances Act, which does not recognize any difference between medical and recreational use of marijuana. To comply with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and avoid losing federal funding, ADC prohibits all marijuana use, including medical marijuana, and students and employees may face sanctions for its use. Therefore, marijuana prescribed for medical purposes is prohibited at ADC even though Connecticut state law permits its use.
02
Legal Sanctions
Students and employees of Academy Di Capelli are subject to disciplinary sanctions as they pertain to the policies on drug and alcohol use, and are subject to criminal penalties under both state and federal law. All drugs are controlled by federal law, but most drug offenses are prosecuted under state law.
Federal Laws — Drugs
Federal Penalties and Sanctions for Illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
Penalty for Simple Possession (21 U.S.C. 844[a])
| Offense | Imprisonment | Fine |
|---|
| First conviction | Up to 1 year | At least $1,000, not more than $100,000 (or both) |
| After one prior drug conviction | At least 15 days, not to exceed 2 years | At least $2,500, not more than $250,000 (or both) |
| After two or more prior convictions | At least 90 days, not to exceed 3 years | At least $5,000, not more than $250,000 (or both) |
Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: Mandatory at least 5 years in prison, not to exceed 20 years, and a fine up to $250,000, or both, if:
- It is a first conviction and the amount of crack cocaine possessed exceeds five grams;
- It is a second crack cocaine conviction and the amount possessed exceeds three grams;
- It is a third or subsequent crack cocaine conviction and the amount possessed exceeds one gram.
Criminal Forfeitures (21 U.S.C. 853[a][2], 881[a][7]): Forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance if that offense is punishable by more than one year of imprisonment.
- Forfeitures (21 U.S.C. 881[a][4]): Forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft, or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance.
- Civil Penalties (21 U.S.C. 844a): Civil fine up to $10,000 for possession of small amounts of certain controlled substances.
- Denial of Federal Benefits (21 U.S.C. 853a): Denial of federal benefits — such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses — up to one year for a first offense and up to five years for subsequent offenses.
- Firearm Forfeiture (18 U.S.C. 922[g]): Ineligible to receive or purchase a firearm.
- Miscellaneous Revocation of certain federal licenses and benefits (e.g., pilot licenses, public housing tenancy) are vested within the authorities of individual federal agencies.
Please visit dea.gov for additional information.
State Laws — Drugs
Penalties for Illegal Manufacture, Distribution, Sale, Prescription, or Dispensing of Controlled Substances
- Hallucinogenic or narcotic substances other than marijuana. First offense: prison up to 15 years and/or fine up to $50,000. Second offense: up to 30 years and/or up to $100,000. Each subsequent offense: up to 30 years and/or up to $250,000 (Conn. Gen. Stat. 21–277).
- Other controlled substances excluding marijuana. First offense: prison up to seven (7) years and/or fine up to $25,000. Each subsequent offense: up to 15 years and/or up to $100,000 (Conn. Gen. Stat. 21–277).
- Examples include mescaline, peyote, morphine, LSD, cocaine (including "crack"), opium, amphetamines, and heroin. For complete definitions, see Conn. Gen. Stat. 21a–240.
Penalties for Manufacture, Distribution, Sale, or Administration by a Non-Drug-Dependent Person
- Minimum prison term of not less than five years and a maximum of life imprisonment for one ounce or more of heroin, methadone, or cocaine (including "crack"), or one-half gram or more of cocaine in freebase form, or five milligrams or more of LSD (Conn. Gen. Stat. 21a–278).
- Minimum of not less than five years for a first offense, and not less than 10 years for subsequent offenses, for any narcotic, hallucinogenic, or amphetamine-type substance, or one kilogram or more of a cannabis-type substance (Conn. Gen. Stat. 21a–278).
Penalties Involving Minors (Conn. Gen. Stat. 21a–278a)
- Mandatory two-year prison term for distribution, sale, dispensing, offering, or giving any controlled substance to a person under 18 who is at least two years younger than the violator.
- Mandatory three-year prison term for manufacture, distribution, dispensing, sale, transportation, or possession with intent to sell within fifteen hundred feet of a public or private elementary school.
Penalties for Possession (Conn. Gen. Stat. 21a–279)
- Any narcotic substance, including marijuana: first offense up to seven years and/or up to $50,000; second offense up to 15 years and/or up to $100,000.
- A hallucinogenic substance other than marijuana, or four ounces or more of a cannabis-type substance: first offense up to five years or up to $2,000 or both; subsequent offense up to ten years or up to $5,000 or both.
- Any other controlled substance, or one-half ounce or more but less than four ounces of a cannabis-type substance: first offense up to $1,000 or up to one year or both; subsequent offense up to $3,000 or up to five years or both.
- A variety of sentences are available depending on the substance, its quantity, and the offender's background.
State Laws — Alcohol
- Sale of Alcohol to Minors and Intoxicated Persons (30–86): Selling or delivering to a minor, intoxicated person, or habitual drunkard — fine up to $1,000 and/or up to one year. Giving liquor to a minor (except by physician's order) — fine up to $1,500 and/or up to 18 months.
- Inducing Minors to Procure Liquor (30–87): Fine up to $1,000 and/or up to one year.
- Misrepresentation of Age (30–88a): Fine not less than $200 nor more than $500 and/or up to 30 days.
- Procuring Liquor by Persons Forbidden / Public Possession by Minors (30–89): Fine not less than $200 nor more than $500.
- Dram Shop Act (30–102): A seller who sells to an intoxicated person who then injures another may owe damages up to $20,000 per person injured, up to an aggregate of $50,000.
- Operating Under the Influence (14–227a): First violation — fine not less than $500, imprisonment up to six months, and license suspension for one year. Greater penalties apply for subsequent offenses.
Local Sanctions
- Town of Wallingford Ordinances, Chapter 62 — Alcoholic Beverages
- Town of East Hartford Ordinances, Chapter 4 — Alcoholic Beverages
Questions concerning legal sanctions under state law should be directed to the State's Attorney's Office, 80 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106, (860) 566-3190. Questions concerning federal law should be directed to the U.S. Attorney's Office, 450 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103, (860) 947-1101.
03
Health Risks
There are serious health and personal risks associated with the use of illegal drugs and the misuse of alcohol. These may include temporary or permanent physical or mental impairment, injury, or death. Use may also give rise to conduct that causes injury, death, or damage to the user or another person — resulting in criminal or civil prosecution and liability — as well as the temporary or permanent loss of educational or employment opportunities.
Drugs and the Human Body
Narcotics (Heroin)
- Initial euphoria followed by drowsiness and nausea
- Constricted pupils, watery eyes, dazed look
- Overdose may produce slow, shallow breathing, clammy skin, weight loss, and possible death
Depressants (Barbiturates, Tranquilizers)
- Relaxed muscles, calmness, drowsiness
- Confusion, disorientation, slurred speech
- Overdose may produce shallow breathing, clammy skin, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and possible death
Stimulants (Cocaine, Methamphetamine)
- Increased heart and respiratory rate, elevated blood pressure, decreased appetite
- Blurred vision, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety
- High doses can cause physical collapse, irregular heartbeat, stroke, and possible death
Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP, Mushrooms)
- Illusions and hallucinations
- Confusion, panic, anxiety, depression, poor perception of time and distance
- Respiratory failure; death due to careless behavior
Cannabis (Marijuana, Hashish)
- Increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and throat, increased appetite
- Interferes with memory, speech, coordination, and perception of time
- Increases risk of lung cancer, weakened immune system, and affects the reproductive system
Alcohol and the Human Body
- Impairment of cognitive function, judgment, alertness, coordination, and reflexes
- Attitude/behavioral changes such as hostility or increased risk taking
- Taken with another drug, can intensify effects and cause nausea, sweating, severe headaches, and convulsions
- Addiction, memory blackouts, and health problems such as cirrhosis of the liver
- If used during pregnancy, birth defects may occur in an unborn child
04
Addiction & Abuse Resources
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Need help now?
The SAMHSA National Helpline offers free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or dial 911.
State & Local Resources and Hotlines
- Connecticut Region of Narcotics Anonymous1-800-627-3543
- CT Dept. of Children & Families — Office of Intimate Partner Violence & Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery(860) 550-6579
- Connecticut Area 11 Alcoholics Anonymous (English)1-866-783-7712
- Connecticut Area 11 Alcoholics Anonymous (Spanish)1-855-377-2628
National Hotlines & Helplines
- National Institute on Drug Misuse / SAMHSA — referrals to programs, including for those who cannot pay1-800-662-HELP
- American Council on Alcoholism Helpline1-800-527-5344
- Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)212-686-3951
- Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.)818-780-3951
- Al-Anon (friends & families of alcoholics)1-800-356-9996
- Nar-Anon (friends & families of drug users)213-547-5800
05
Disciplinary Sanctions
Violations of the Drug and Alcohol Policy Standards of Conduct are subject to disciplinary sanctions.
Students
Students found to have violated the policy are subject to disciplinary sanctions including being warned, put on probation, suspended, or dismissed at the discretion of ADC.
Employees
Employees found to have violated the policy are subject to disciplinary sanctions including a disciplinary letter, indefinite suspension from work, or termination of employment.
06
Policy Review
Academy Di Capelli conducts a biennial review of the Drug and Alcohol Policy to assess its effectiveness and ensure that disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced. Changes to the policy will be implemented as needed following each review.
