Modesto Junior College is committed to providing an environment that is drug-free for its students, staff, and community members. The purpose of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program is to educate employees and students on the potential dangers of substance abuse, which can be potentially life-threatening. Drugs and alcohol can adversely affect the body, mind, and behavior, and the effects vary from person to person and from usage to usage. This site focuses on the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs prevention, risks, and services available.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, drug use & alcohol consumption carries both short-term and long-term health risks:
Reference: Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2019). Alcohol Use and Your Health
According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH):
Printed resources are available in MJC Health Services. Agencies and organizations providing information include:
The U.S. is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic.
Modesto Junior College has resources available for students to learn how to recognize and prevent opioid overdose. Health Services offers fentanyl test strips and free opioid overdose medication, Narcan Nasal Spray, to keep on hand if you or someone close to you is at risk for opioid overdose. Anyone who uses opioids can be at risk for opioid overdose.
Request Narcan over the counter at Modesto Junior College Health Services during office hours. You may also schedule an appointment to review the training with a nurse.
California Department of Public Health's training video: Administering Naloxone.
Available over-the counter in Health Services, fentanyl test strips (FTS) and fentanyl/xylazine test strips are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables).
For 24/7 mental health support, connect with TimelyCare. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call (209) 558-4600 for local support.
Modesto Junior College participates in the Naloxone Distribution Program through the California Department of Public Health and was issued a standing order in 2023. The standing order was issued by the state Public Health Officer (authorized by California Civil Code Section 1714.22) to:
Learn more about Campus Opioid Safety.
Under California Health and Safety Code 11376.5, a person will not be charged with drug possession or use crimes if that person: acts in good faith, and seeks medical assistance/emergency medical services for another person experiencing a drug-related overdose. This law was designed to encourage a witness of a drug-related overdose to call 911 or seek emergency help in a timely manner to save the life of the overdose victim. For more information: Understanding California’s 911 Good Samaritan Law.
Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventative disease and death in the United States. The Surgeon General has concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found secondhand tobacco smoke to be a risk to public health, and has classified secondhand smoke as a group A carcinogen, the most dangerous class of carcinogen. Furthermore, the California Air Resources Board has categorized secondhand smoke as a toxic air contaminant. Secondhand smoke is hazardous to smokers and nonsmokers alike. To promote a safe and healthy campus environment, Modesto Junior College has adopted this smoke and tobacco-free policy.
Modesto Junior College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its students, employees, and visitors. In light of evidence that the use of tobacco and nicotine as well as exposure to secondhand smoke and aerosol (commonly referred to as "vapor") from electronic smoking devices pose significant health and environmental hazards, Modesto Junior College has established a smoke, vapor and tobacco-free environment.
Smoking and the use of all tobacco products are prohibited at all times on all property and in all indoor and outdoor spaces owned, leased, licensed, or otherwise controlled by Modesto Junior College. Such products will also not be sold or distributed on Modesto Junior College-controlled property. No advertising or marketing of such products shall be permitted on Modesto Junior College-controlled property or in publications produced by the Modesto Junior College.
"Electronic Smoking Device" means an electronic device that may be used to deliver any aerosolized or vaporized substance to the person inhaling from the device, including but not limited to, an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, vape pen, or e-hookah.
"Smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, or burning any tobacco, nicotine, cannabis, or plant product, whether natural or synthetic, such as cigar, cigarette, cigarillo, pipe, or any other lighted, heated, or activated tobacco, nicotine, cannabis or plant product intended for inhalation. "Smoking" also means using an electronic smoking device or hookah.
"Tobacco Product" means any product containing, made from, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, including, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snuff, or snus; and any electronic smoking device and any substances that may be aerosolized or vaporized by such device, whether or not the substance contains nicotine.
"Tobacco Product" does not include a product that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco treatment product marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose.
It is the responsibility of the administration to ensure compliance with this procedure. It is the responsibility of managers and supervisors to inform their employees of this procedure and it is the responsibility of all employees to inform the students.
Nicotine is an addictive product and it may take time for students, faculty, and staff that use tobacco to change habits of use. For these reasons, education, including resources and referrals for tobacco treatment, will be the primary mode of enforcement.
For individuals interested in quitting tobacco, contact Health Services at mjchealthservices@mjc.edu to inquire about Quit Kits and other resources.
