4.8.1 Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

Adopted: August 1989
Modified: May 2003; March 2012; May 21, 2015
Last Reviewed: May 21, 2015
Scope: Faculty, Staff, and Students
Contact. Director of Human Resources (for employees), Coordinator of Special Populations (for students)
References: O.C.G.A 20-1-20 et seq., 20 U.S.C. § 1091, 20 U.S.C § 1101i, 34 C.F.R. § 86, SBTCSG Policy 4.8.1.

This procedure has been developed in concert with the federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act which was enacted to ensure that any institution of higher education that receives funds under any federal program has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol by students, staff, and faculty. It also incorporates the statutory mandates required under the state Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990 (O.C.G.A. § 20-1-20 et seq.)

Lanier Technical College expects faculty, staff, and students to meet appropriate standards of performance, to observe basic rules for good conduct, and to comply with college Student and Personnel Policies and Procedures. In the discharge of its responsibilities as an employer, Lanier Technical College aggressively promotes and requires a drug-free campus among its students, faculty, and staff.

Institutional standards of conduct clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on campus or as part of any institutional-sponsored activities.

Such unlawful activity may be considered sufficient grounds for serious punitive action, including expulsion. Disciplinary sanctions for students convicted of a felony offense involving alcohol or the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession or use of marijuana, controlled substances or other illegal or dangerous drugs shall be immediate suspension and denial of further state and/or federal funds from the date of conviction. Specifically in the case of a drug related offense the student shall minimally be suspended for the remainder of the quarter and forfeit all academic credit for that period.

Lanier Technical College shall notify the appropriate state/federal funding agency within 10 days after receiving notice of the conviction from the student or otherwise after receiving the actual notice of conviction.

Within 30 days of notification of conviction, the Technical College shall with respect to any student so convicted:

Take additional appropriate action against such student up to and including expulsion as it deems necessary.
Provide such student with a description of any drug or alcohol counseling treatment, or rehabilitation or re-entry programs that are available for such purposes by a federal, state or local health, law enforcement or other appropriate agency.

Health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol.

Cocaine provides a short-lived "high" followed by depression, paranoia, anxiety, guilt, anger and fear. It can cause rapid physical and psychological addiction. In some instances, cocaine may cause a heart attack or sudden death, even on the first use. The dangers of this highly addictive drug and its close derivative, "crack", are evidenced daily through the news media. Overdose of cocaine (or other stimulants) can cause agitation, increase in body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions and possible death.
Marijuana, like cocaine, provides a short-term "high", and like cocaine, is addictive. While the "high" may last only a short time, traces remain in the body for a month or more, inhibiting short-term memory, reducing reaction time and impairing visual tracking. It may also cause an inability to abstract and understand concepts. In some instances it can depress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack, contribute to lung diseases, and infertility. Marijuana and other cannabis can cause euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, increased appetite and disoriented behavior. Overdose can cause fatigue, paranoia and possible death.
Depressants such as barbiturates, chloral hydrate, benzodiazepines, etc., can cause slurred speech, disorientation and drunken behavior without the odor of alcohol. Overdose can cause shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and possible death.
Hallucinogens such as LSD, Mescaline and Peyote, amphetamine variants, etc., can cause illusions and hallucinations, and poor perception of time and distance. Overdose can cause longer, more intense illusionary hallucinatory episodes, psychosis and possible death.
Narcotics such as opium, heroin, morphine, and codeine can cause euphoria, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils and nausea. Overdose of narcotics can cause slow and shallow breath, clammy skin, convulsions, coma and possible death.
Prescription drugs, used improperly, can cause tiredness, hyperactivity, impaired reflexes, brain damage, and, in some instances, addiction or death.
Alcohol, used abusively, will impair judgment, result in anxiety, and feelings of guilt, depression and isolation. Prolonged use may cause liver and heart disease, cancer, and psychological problems and dependency in the form of alcoholism. Alcohol used by pregnant women is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation in children.

Questions regarding this procedure should be directed to the Human Resources Office if it is in regard to employees and to the Coordinator of Special Populations if it is in regard to students.

The College provides resources and referral services for students, faculty and staff confronted with a problem of drug and/or alcohol abuse. Information related to these services will be made available to all students as part of the substance abuse awareness program. In addition, students may obtain information or referrals from the Coordinator of Special Populations.

The following agencies can be contacted for assistance with drug/alcohol abuse related issues:

Alcoholics Anonymous:	www.aa.org
Narcotics Anonymous:	www.na.org
Al-Anon for Families of Alcoholics:	888-425-2666
Alcohol Treatment Referral Hotline:	800-662-4357
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment:	800-662-4357
Cocaine Anonymous:	800-662-4357
Georgia Crisis and Access Line:	800-715-4225
24 Hour Addiction Helpline:	866-569-7077
Narcotics Anonymous:	800-342-3487

Avita Partners Behavioral Health Services (Low Income/sliding scale fees)
Hall County:	678-207-2900
Forsyth County:	678-341-3840
Banks County:	706-894-3700
Dawson County:	706-864-6822
Lumpkin County:	706-864-6822

Advantage Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS)	www.advantagebhs.org
Jackson County:	706-389-6739
Barrow County:	706-369-6363

Laurelwood: . . . . . . . . . . 770-219-3800
. (Mental Health Services at Northeast Georgia Medical Center)

National Clearinghouse for Drug and Alcohol Information

1-800-729-6686

United Way 2.1.1 Helpline

770-534-0617

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to full-time faculty and staff. The purpose of this program is to provide employees with the ability to discuss a variety of personal issues including drug and alcohol services and information. The EAP is a confidential service that is staffed by qualified mental health personnel. The service is free and does not report the employees name, position and/or confidential information to the employer. To contact the EAP, dial 404-843-3399, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Part-time staff including hourly employees and adjunct faculty who are in need of assistance with drug and alcohol related issues are urged to call the substance abuse program of the County Health Department in the county in which they reside. Free services are available in most locations.