Alcohol and Drug Policy

DVC is "a drug-free" campus

The DVC Student Code of Conduct prohibits the possession, consumption, sale, distribution or delivery of any alcoholic beverage in college buildings or on college grounds, or at college-­sponsored or supervised activities, regardless of their location, unless authorized by college officials. The code also prohibits the use, sale, distribution, or possession on campus of, or presence on campus under the influence of, any controlled substances, as listed in Schedules I through IV of Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Section 812) on district property or at any district­-sponsored event. This includes student participation in field trips, athletic competition and/or any activity sponsored by the college. Any violations will be cause for disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. For additional information about the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol, and the applicable legal sanctions under local, state or federal law, please refer to the college and district policy. Any student who needs information about substance abuse may consult a campus counselor who can provide the student with information about available treatment resources.

DVC is "a tobacco-free" campus

DVC is committed to promoting the good health of our students, staff and broader community by providing a healthy environment in which to learn and work.  Given the negative health impacts of tobacco and similar product use, the Governing Board has established policy (GBP #2045) designating DVC as a tobacco-free institution. Therefore:

Smoking, smoking substitutes, smoke inducing devices and vaping are considered a health hazard and are prohibited on all college property. This includes, but is not limited to, products containing tobacco or nicotine, e-cigarettes, cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, hookah smoking, personal vaporizers/electronic smoking devices, marijuana and controlled substances regulated under federal law.

The use of all smoking/tobacco/vaping products as defined is prohibited on campus grounds, playing fields, walkways, roadways, parking lots, in all vehicles on DVC property and in or around the perimeter of any building.

This policy shall apply to all students, employees, volunteers, vendors, consultants, agents, contractors, and visitors on DVC property as defined above. Consistent with Government Code 7597.1, the Governing Board has imposed fines and set enforcement standards for DVC in order to ensure a tobacco-free environment.

DVC recognizes the health hazards associated with tobacco addiction. DVC also recognizes the challenges faced by those addicted to tobacco products and therefore supports efforts of employees and students to quit using tobacco products. Any student who needs information about cessation programs may consult a college counselor, who can provide the student with information about available resources.

Adherence to our tobacco-free policy relies, in large part, on the initiative of students and staff to politely request that smokers comply and on the courtesy of smokers to acknowledge and observe the restrictions. DVC promotes the initiative of educating others about the hazards of smoking and will endeavor to educate rather than punish.  In the absence of compliance, however, any student who violates the policy may be subject to citation and disciplinary measures in accordance with the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct and Governing Board policy. Visitors to DVC who do not comply with this policy may be cited and/or asked to leave DVC property.

College and District Policy

• The Student Code of Conduct (Section III.B.12) prohibits the "possession, consumption, sale, distribution or delivery of any alcoholic beverage in college buildings or on college grounds, or at college-sponsored or supervised activities, regardless of their location, unless authorized by college officials."
• The Code (Section III.B.11) also prohibits "the use, sale, distribution, or possession on campus of, or presence on campus under the influence of, any controlled substances, or any poison classified as such by Schedule D section 4160 of the Business and Professions code or other California laws on District property or at any District-sponsored event. Use of a prescription drug if the prescription was not issued to the student, or the distribution or sale of a prescription drug to a person to whom the prescription was not originally issued. Intentionally or recklessly inhaling or ingesting substances (e.g., nitrous oxide, glue, paint, etc.) that will alter a student's mental state is also prohibited. Possession of drug paraphernalia including but not limited to bongs or glass pipes. This regulation does not apply when the person named on the prescription possesses the drugs or narcotics or when the drugs or narcotics are permitted for and are being used in research, instruction, or analysis."
• Drug-Free Workplace -
  1. Alcohol in Workplace -
  2. Drug-free Environment and Drug Prevention -
• Serving Alcoholic Beverages at College/District Activities -
• Drug-Free Campus - DVC Procedure 2046
• Serving Alcoholic Beverages at College Activities - DVC Procedure 5106.05
• Employee Assistance program -

State Law

• "Every person who possesses, consumes, sells, gives, or delivers to any other person, any alcoholic beverage in or on any public schoolhouse or any of the ground thereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor." -
• Possession of Alcohol by a Minor: Misdemeanor -
• Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor: Misdemeanor -
• Disorderly Conduct: Under the Influence -

The resources and organizations listed on this page are provided by entities that operate independently from Diablo Valley College. Diablo Valley College does not assume responsibility for the ongoing accuracy, availability or services provided by these external entities. Students are encouraged to verify information and make decisions based on their individual needs.

Effects of frequently misused substances: 

• - National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Controlled Substances - the Uniform Controlled Substances Act - Division 10 of the (Sections 11000 - 11999.25) includes information about Schedules, Offenses and Penalties
  • Marijuana and Hashish
  • Possession of Controlled Substance: Felony -
  • Possession of Marijuana: Misdemeanor -
  • Possession for Sale: Felony -
  • Transporting, Importing, Selling and Furnishing: Felony -  
  • Employment of Minors for Unlawful Transactions: Felony -  
  • Disorderly Conduct: Under the Influence - Section 647 (f)
• Barbiturates, LSD, PCP, Amphetamines and Methamphetamines
  • Possession of Certain Controlled Substances: Felony/Misdemeanor -  
  • Possession for Sale: Felony -  
  • Transporting, Importing, and/or Selling Controlled Substance: Felony -  
  • Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance: Misdemeanor -  
• Heroin, Cocaine and Crack Cocaine
  • Possession of Controlled Substance: Felony -  )
  • Possession for Sale: Felony -  
  • Importing, Selling and/or Furnishing Controlled Substance: Felony -  
  • Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance: Misdemeanor -  

• Section 76033 of the prohibits "the use, sale, or possession on campus of, or presence on campus under the influence of, any controlled substance, or any poison classified as such by Schedule D in Section 4160 of the

  Federal Law

• US Code (USC)
  • Schedules I-IV of Controlled Substances
  • Penalties for Simple Possession
  • Distribution to Persons under Age 21
  • Distribution or Manufacturing in or near Schools or Colleges
  • Drug Paraphernalia
  • Criminal Forfeitures
  • Forfeitures
  • Ineligible to receive or purchase firearms
  • Loss of Financial Aid for Drug Convictions
    • 21 USC 862
• Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
  • Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Other Resources

• , Contra Costa County Health Department
• - Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness,  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services
• - National Institutes of Health
  • (interactive website)
• - usage data from students in grades 8, 10 and 12
• - meetings and information
• - meetings and information
• - U of Washington
• - Prochaska and DiClemente (from Wikipedia) 
• - W.R. Miller and S. Rollnick
• - Harvard School of Public Health
• - a comprehensive guide to drugs commonly found on college campuses