Alcohol & Drug Awareness

Violations of federal and Texas laws regarding alcohol and controlled substances may result in:

• Fines and court costs
• Loss of driving privileges
• Criminal charges (misdemeanor or felony)
• Possible incarceration

Additional penalties may apply for offenses such as providing alcohol to minors or driving under the influence.

PJC prohibits the possession, use, sale, or distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl and counterfeit pills, on college premises and at college-sponsored activities (Board Policy FLBE(LOCAL)). Violations are subject to disciplinary action under Policies FM and FMA, up to and including suspension or expulsion, and may be referred to law enforcement. Sanctions for residence hall violations are published in the Residence Hall Handbook.

Students who violate alcohol or drug policies may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct (FMA/FLB), which may include:

• Warning or disciplinary probation
• Required education or counseling
• Suspension or expulsion
• Referral to law enforcement

Sanctions are determined based on the severity and circumstances of the violation.

Paris Junior College provides support for students who may be impacted by substance use or related concerns.

Students may access:

• Counseling Services
• PJC Cares 

Students are encouraged to seek help early. In many cases, support services are available before issues escalate.

The College provides ongoing education and prevention efforts, including orientation, campus programming, and awareness initiatives designed to promote informed decision-making.

All current students will receive an email regarding alcohol & drug abuse prevention training in their Dragon student email. 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), just 2 milligrams of fentanyl, about the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil, can be a deadly dose.

Most fentanyl deaths today are not from people seeking out fentanyl. They happen because fentanyl is hidden in something else. The DEA seized more than 47 million fentanyl-laced fake pills in 2025 alone. Drug dealers press fentanyl into pills made to look exactly like real prescription medicines, including:

• Pain pills (oxycodone, "Percs," "M30s")
• Anxiety pills (Xanax, "bars")
• ADHD pills (Adderall)

Fentanyl has also been found mixed into cocaine, meth, heroin, and other street drugs. You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it. A fake pill can look identical to the real thing.

That is why we call it drug poisoning: a person takes something they believe is one drug and is poisoned by another.

• Only take medicine prescribed to you and filled by a licensed pharmacy.
• Never take a pill from a friend, a party, or social media. Counterfeit pills are commonly sold through Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and other apps.
• Don't share your own prescriptions. Sharing ADHD or pain medicine is illegal and puts others at risk.
• Be careful with THC products like gummies and vapes from unknown sources. Unregulated products can be stronger than labeled or contain other substances.
• Don't mix substances. Combining alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines ("benzos"), or sleep aids greatly raises the risk of overdose.
• Don't use alone. If someone is with you, they can call for help.
• Carry naloxone (Narcan) and know how to use it.

Call 911 right away if someone shows any of these signs:

• Won't wake up or respond to your voice or a firm rub on the breastbone
• Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
• Choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds
• Tiny, "pinpoint" pupils
• Blue, gray, or pale lips and fingertips
• Cold, clammy skin or a limp body

What to do: act fast! 

1. Call 911. On campus, also call PJC Police at 903-782-0399.
2. Give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it. Spray one dose into one nostril.
3. Support breathing. If you are trained, give rescue breaths.
4. Place the person on their side (recovery position) so they won't choke.
5. Stay with them. Naloxone wears off in 30 to 90 minutes, and fentanyl can outlast it. If there is no response after 2 to 3 minutes, give a second dose.

Naloxone is safe. It will not hurt someone who isn't overdosing on opioids, so if you aren't sure, give it.

Getting Naloxone (Narcan) 

• Narcan nasal spray is sold over the counter at pharmacies and many retail stores. No prescription is needed.
• Texans can order naloxone free by mail at com, through the state's Texas Targeted Opioid Response program.

Texas law (Health & Safety Code §481.115(g)) provides a defense to prosecution for possession of small amounts of drugs or paraphernalia for a person who calls 911 for someone having a possible overdose.

To qualify, the caller generally must:

• Be the first person to call for emergency help
• Stay on the scene until help arrives
• Cooperate with medical and law enforcement personnel

The defense has limits. It does not apply to someone with certain prior drug convictions, or to someone who has used it or called 911 for an overdose in the past 18 months. It is not full immunity. But no one should ever hesitate to call. A life is worth more than any consequence.

Texas treats fentanyl distribution seriously. Under state law, a person who supplies fentanyl that causes a death can be charged with murder.

National survey data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) consistently show that young adults ages 18 to 25 have the highest rates of alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drug use of any age group. College is a time of new freedom, new stress, and new social pressure. That makes it a common time for substance use to start or get worse.

Addiction is a health condition, not a character flaw. It changes how the brain handles reward, stress, and self-control, and it can happen to anyone. Opioids, including fentanyl, are especially addictive, and tolerance builds quickly.

Warning signs of a substance use problem

• Using more, or more often, than intended
• Trying to cut back and not being able to
• Missing classes, work, practice, or responsibilities
• Pulling away from friends, family, or activities once enjoyed
• Needing more to get the same effect, or feeling sick without it
• Using to cope with stress, anxiety, sadness, or sleep

If you see these signs in yourself or a friend, talk to someone. PJC counselors can help confidentially, and treatment works.

Substance use and mental health are closely linked. Drugs and alcohol can make depression and anxiety worse, and they raise the risk of suicide by lowering inhibitions and increasing impulsive actions. Some overdoses are intentional.

Warning signs someone may be thinking about suicide

• Talking about wanting to die, being a burden, or having no reason to live
• Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
• Withdrawing from friends and activities
• Giving away belongings or saying goodbye
• Extreme mood swings, rage, or sudden calm after a period of depression

How to help

1. Ask directly: "Are you thinking about killing yourself?" Asking does not put the idea in someone's head.
2. Listen without judging.
3. Stay with them and help keep them away from anything they could use to hurt themselves.
4. Connect them to help: call or text 988, contact PJC Counseling, or call 911 if there is immediate danger.

You can also refer a student you are worried about to PJC's Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at bit@parisjc.edu or https://www.parisjc.edu/bit/ 

Or Make a Referral here. 

Help is available on campus and in our communities. Most of these services are free and confidential.

Resource	How to reach it
Emergency / overdose	Call 911. Stay with the person until help arrives.
PJC Campus Police	903-782-0399 (ext. 1399 from a campus phone)
PJC Counseling Center (free, confidential, for enrolled students)	Email: counseling@parisjc.edu Call: 903-782-0426 Locations Administration building, Paris campus. Greenville and Sulphur Springs students can call or email a counselor to meet at your location.  Phone, email, and Zoom appointments available.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline	Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. 24/7.
Lakes Regional 24/7 Crisis Line	Lamar, Hopkins, Delta and nearby counties: 877-466-0660 Hunt County (Greenville): 866-260-8000
Poison Help	1-800-222-1222. 24/7, free, confidential.
SAMHSA National Helpline (treatment referral)	1-800-662-4357. 24/7, free, confidential, English and Spanish.
Free naloxone (Narcan) by mail	MoreNarcanPlease.com  (Texas Targeted Opioid Response program)
Local mental health and substance use services	PJC Counseling Center