Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Houston Community College (HCC) is committed to providing its students and employees a drug- and alcohol-free workplace and learning environment to promote the reputation of HCC and its employees as responsible citizens of public trust, and to provide a consistent model of substance-free behavior for students.

HCC, including all of its colleges and campuses, shall provide a safe, responsive environment for all students and employees. 

Employees and students are informed of the program and policy by means of the website, student handbook, and electronic mail.

Annually, employees and students are made aware of the HCC Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program and Policy which provides access to the following information.

HCC’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program:

HCC has established a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program to inform its faculty, staff, and students about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, penalties that may be imposed for drug and alcohol abuse violations, and available resources to combat drug and alcohol-related issues. 

For more information regarding the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program.

Standards of Conduct:

• Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on the school’s property or as part of any of the school’s activities
• Descriptions of applicable legal sanctions under state, local, and federal law
• Description of health risks
• Description of available counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, or re-entry programs
• Clear statement that the school will impose sanctions for violation of standards of conduct and a description of sanctions
• New staff and faculty members are informed of the policy and program at the New Employee Orientation provided by the Human Resources Department.
• All employees are informed of the policy and program annually via electronic mail.
• Students are informed of the policy and program each semester via electronic mail.
• Drug and alcohol abuse prevention materials are also available within the college counseling centers.
• On a biennial basis, a committee chaired by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Success and comprised of representatives from the police department, human resources, counseling, financial aid, and student life will conduct a review of the program to assess the following:
• Determine the effectiveness of the program and implement necessary changes
• Determine the number of drug and alcohol-related violations and fatalities that occur on the HCC campuses
• Determine the number and type of sanctions that are imposed
• Ensure that sanctions are consistently enforced

We are a 100% Smoke-Free College

As a recipient of a Truth Initiative grant, HCC is now a 100 percent tobacco/vape-free college environment consistent with more than 2,500 higher education campus sites across the nation participating in the Truth’s smoke-free grant program.

Under this policy, tobacco use in any form, including e-cigarettes, flavored cigars and hookah, is prohibited on campus at all times. The policy applies to all indoor and outdoor facilities and grounds, including parking lots and athletic facilities.

A college with a comprehensive smoke-free policy helps to ensure our campuses are healthier for our students, faculty, staff, tenants and visitors promoting a culture of health and well-being on campus by:

• preventing young adults from starting tobacco use
• making it easier for smokers to quit, and
• reducing cigarette litter, maintenance costs and the risk of fire

Among other benefits, a tobacco-free policy eliminates secondhand smoke exposure, which research shows has a potential negative impact on academic performance. Meanwhile, the policy also better prepares students for the workforce as an increasing number of worksites prohibit tobacco use.

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment-SBIRT TOOL