Southwestern Student Handbook
- Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
#5.012 and #5.008
It is an administrative policy that the College is committed to the
prevention of the misuse of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol
by both students and employees. Drug use and alcohol abuse is a significant
public health problem that has spread throughout our society, affecting
performance and productivity, as well as our level of general health.
In addition, the use of alcohol and drugs can adversely affect an
organization’s level of safety as well as its public confidence
and trust. Lastly, with reference to “The Drug-Free Schools
and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 101-226)”:
“…no institution of higher education shall be eligible
to receive funds or any other form of financial assistance under
any Federal program, including participation in any federally funded
or guaranteed student loan program, unless it certifies to the
Secretary that it has adopted and has implemented a program to
prevent the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students
and employees.”
In brief, this policy has been developed by Southwestern Oregon
Community College to comply with federal law and to educate and
inform its students and employees of the health risks, counseling
and treatment resources, and sanctions for noncompliance. The College
reviews this program biennially to determine its effectiveness,
implement changes if needed, and ensure that the sanctions required
are consistently enforced.
- Health Risks Associated with the use of
Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol
Marijuana is addictive and can cause:
- Impaired short-term memory, visual tracking, heart rate
- Slowed reaction time/poor coordination
- Lung disease
- Damage to reproductive functions
Cocaine and Crack are highly addictive and may cause:
- Increased pulse rate & blood pressure
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Increased body temperature
- Loss of appetite
- Hallucinations
- Depression
- Disorientation
- Convulsions
- Possible Death
PCP, LSD, Heroin, Mescaline and Morphine have a wide
variety of negative health effects which may include:
- Hallucinations
- Mental confusion and/or permanent loss of mental function
- Addiction
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Death
Prescription Drugs are too often used to reduce stress,
and are not safe unless they are taken as prescribed. If abused, they
can lead to:
- Malnutrition
- Sluggishness or hyperactivity
- Impaired reflexes
- Addiction and brain damage
- Coma
- Death
Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug and can cause:
- Loss of concentration
- Poor judgement and coordination
- Impaired memory
- Drowsiness and mood swings
- Liver damage/cirrhosis of the liver
- High blood pressure and heart attack
- Pancreatitis
- Various cancers
- Heart disease
- Legal Sanctions
The following chart describes the penalties for POSSESSION of key DRUGS according
to the Federal Drug Schedules (the schedules are more inclusive):
Crime |
Max Prison Time |
Max Fine |
Schedule I Class B--
Heroin, LSD, other hallucinogens, Marijuana, others |
Felony---------10 yrs |
$100,000 |
Schedule II Class C
Methadone, morphine, amphetamine, cocaine, PCP |
Felony---------5 yrs |
$100,000 |
Schedule III Class A
Non-amphetamine stimulants, some depressants |
Misdemeanor-1 yr |
$2,500 |
Schedule IV Class C
Valium-type tranquilizers, some less potent depressants |
Misdemeanor-30 days |
$500 |
Schedule V
Dilute mixtures, compounds with small amounts of controlled drugs |
Violation------None |
$1,000 |
Delivery of less than 5 grams or possession of less than one ounce
of marijuana is a violation. HB2479 established mandatory evaluation,
education and treatment services for those under 18 years old convicted
of an offense. If services are successfully completed, the charge will
be dropped. Oregon has strong laws allowing cars, boats, etc., that
transport illegal drugs to be seized and forfeited.
ALCOHOL is an illegal drug for those under 21 years of age. For drivers
under 18, ANY detectable amount of alcohol (above .00) is grounds for
losing their driver’s license.
- There are many more laws pertaining to alcohol and other drugs.
This is a sample to demonstrate that most drugs are illegal, and
a criminal conviction may bar a student from his/her chosen career
path, or a current or prospective employee from successful employment
with the College.
A new law affecting eligibility for federal financial aid for
students convicted of possession or selling of controlled substances
went into effect July 1, 2000. The Federal Government requires
that a student who has been convicted under Federal or State law
of possession or sale of a controlled substance, regardless of
when the conviction occurred, is ineligible for federal financial
aid for a specified period.
If convicted of an offense involving the possession
of a controlled substance, the ineligibility period is:
First offense..............................1
year
Second offense..........................2
years
Third offense.............................definite
If convicted of an offense involving the sale
of a controlled substance, the ineligibility period is:
First offense..............................2
years
Second offense..........................ndefinite
For purposes of determining a student’s
eligibility for federal financial aid, a conviction means a conviction
that is on a student’s record at the time the student files
the FAFSA. Therefore, a conviction that was reversed, set aside,
or removed from the student’s record is not relevant.
Because the statutory ineligibility periods begin on the date of
conviction, if a student has been convicted of both possession and
sale of a controlled substance and the two ineligibility periods
overlap, the periods run concurrently for the time during which they
overlap.
The start of the ineligibility period for the later conviction is
not postponed until the ineligibility period for the earlier conviction
ends.
A student can regain eligibility, regardless of the number or type
of convictions on the student’s record, by successfully completing
an approved drug rehabilitation program and two unannounced drug
tests.
An approved drug rehabilitation program must (1) have received or
be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly under a Federal,
State, or local government program, (2) be administered or recognized
by a Federal State, or local government agency or court, (3) have
received or be qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly
from a State-licensed insurance company, or (4) be administered or
recognized by a State-licensed hospital, health clinic or medical
doctor.
Students whose federal financial aid otherwise would be jeopardized
under the new law can avoid a loss of eligibility by completing an
acceptable drug rehabilitation program during the period of the student’s
ineligibility.
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