/Institutions/Lanier-Technical-College/json/2022-2023/Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Lanier-Technical-College/json/2022-2023/Catalog.json

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Awareness Plan

In order to comply with the 1989 Amendments to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, Lanier Technical College has created a drug and alcohol awareness program to be reviewed annually by a Drug and Alcohol Task Force Committee.

Operational Plan

This plan will outline programs and activities associated with Drug and Alcohol Awareness endeavors throughout the year, with specific communication to students, faculty, and staff during fall and spring semesters, which reviews the dangers of drugs and alcohol, policy, procedure, student conduct and state and local actions. The plan will review the enforcement and disciplinary sanction imposed on violators of the college's drug and alcohol policies. An annual review will determine whether these enforcement efforts and sanctions were applied in a consistent manner.

Committee Members

• Vice President Student Affairs
• Chief of LTC Police
• Special Populations Coordinator
• Vice President Administrative Services
• Student Navigator

Goals for LTC Drug and Alcohol Plan

To support a culture and atmosphere free from alcohol and other drug use and abuse on the campus community

To develop and disseminate information for the members of the campus community regarding alcohol and other drug issues for the purpose of awareness, education, and prevention

To make the campus community aware of the availability of alcohol and other drug intervention services such as counseling, referral to in-patient and out-patient treatment, and provide ongoing support for students, faculty, and staff

Achievement of these goals are measured by student awareness rates, sponsored drug and alcohol awareness events, activities and campaigns, as well as knowledge of drug and alcohol dangers. Students will be provided surveys during specific times during the semester most notably at Student Involvement events. Additionally, surveys indicate that students are knowledgeable of counseling and support services, which are perceived as valuable assets.

Drug Free Schools and Communities Act

Each spring and fall notifications will be sent to students via student email communication.

Lanier Technical College is a drug-free campus. The faculty and staff at Lanier Technical College are concerned about the growing pattern of drug and alcohol abuse in our society today. Lanier Technical College is doing its part to curb this usage and to educate our staff and students about the associated dangers. Lanier Technical College will comply with all pertinent local, state, and federal laws and regulations and is eager to join other educational facilities in this national effort to combat drug and alcohol abuse. National and state certifications of intent to comply with these laws in order to continue to receive funds for financial assistance have been submitted.

The Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1990 contains Section 20, Drug Free Schools and Campuses, which was enacted to ensure that any institution of higher education that received funds under any federal program has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol by students.

Under the terms of this act, colleges must annually distribute in writing to each student the following:

• Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on the school's property or as part of any of the school's activities
• Descriptions of applicable legal sanctions under state, local, and federal law
• Description of health risks
• Description of available counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, or re-entry programs
• Clear statement that the school will impose sanctions for violation of standards of conduct and a description of sanctions

Standard of Conduct

Students of Lanier Technical College are guaranteed all of the rights, privileges, and freedoms granted to a citizen of the United States. In addition, they are entitled to an environment that is conducive to learning and individual growth. To this end, students enrolled at Lanier Technical College assume a citizen's responsibility to abide by federal, state, and local laws. Violations of statutory laws or of Lanier Technical College student conduct regulations or other Technical College System of Georgia policies, rules and regulations may lead to disciplinary actions by Lanier Technical College. These regulations do not deny any previously guaranteed rights and privileges, but ensure a pleasant educational environment for all Lanier Technical College students.

Technical College students assume an obligation to act in a manner compatible with the fulfillment of the College mission. The Technical College community recognizes its responsibility to provide an atmosphere conducive to growth. With these principles in mind, Lanier Technical College establishes a comprehensive Student Code of Conduct.

The administration reserves the right to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment for students and staff. Therefore, when, in the judgment of college officials, a student's conduct disrupts or threatens to disrupt the college community, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken to restore and protect the atmosphere of collegiality and mutual respect on campus. This procedure is intended to provide an orderly protocol for handling disciplinary cases in accordance with the principles of due process and justice.

Proscribed Conduct

Any student found to have committed the following drug and/or alcohol misconduct is subject to disciplinary sanctions by the college if the student is found in violation of the following as per the published Student Code of Conduct. In addition, allegations of drug and/or alcohol violations may include investigation and possible prosecution by local, state, or federal laws. The Student Code of Conduct lists the following as violations:

1. Alcohol. Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by College regulations), and/or public intoxication on College's premises or at off-campus activities sponsored by the College. Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstances, be used by, possessed by, or distributed to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age or any violation the Drug-Free School and Alcohol Prevention Policy.
2. Use of Tobacco Products. Lanier Technical College is a tobacco free environment. Use of tobacco products is limited to student and employee vehicles. “Tobacco Products” is defined as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and any other smoking devices that use tobacco, such as hookahs, or simulate the use of tobacco, such as electronic cigarettes.
3. Controlled Substances. Use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of narcotics, or other controlled substances, and/or related paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law or any violation of the Drug-Free School and Alcohol Prevention Policy.

In addition, no student may engage in the unlawful manufacture, possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on the Technical College's property or as part of any of its sponsored activities.

Such unlawful activity may be considered sufficient grounds for serious punitive action, including immediate suspension and/or expulsion from the College. 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 considered for 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 semester and forfeit all academic credit for that period.

Possible Penalties and Sanctions

Appropriate action will be taken in all cases in which students, faculty or staff are determined to be in violation of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1984, as implemented by college policy.

Employees

All new employees are advised of TCSG Policy 4.8.1. (III.O.1) Drug-Free Workplace and sign an acknowledgement statement indicating they have been made aware of the policy https://tcsg.edu/tcsgpolicy/files/4.8.1.pdf. Further Information is made available to employees and supervisors pertaining to the dangers of drug or alcohol abuse in the work place along with options for counseling or other employee assistance through the ESPYR, the state of Georgia's employee assistance program provider.

An annual notice will be sent to all employees of the college's Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program and employee assistance program services available if needed.

Students

Any alleged violation of the acts, as implemented by this policy, by a student of the College will be reported through appropriate faculty or administrative channels to include campus police. The circumstances surrounding the offense and the facts as determined by appropriate investigation will be fully reviewed prior to a decision on the action taken through the Behavioral Intervention Team and/or VP of Student Affairs or his/her designee. Possible disciplinary sanctions for failure to comply with the provisions of this policy may include one or a combination of the following:

• Warning
• Reprimand
• Probation
• Mandatory participation in and satisfactory completion of a drug/alcohol abuse program, counseling, or rehabilitation program to include completion of AlcoholEdu
• Suspension for up to one year
• Referral for prosecution
• Expulsion
• Other appropriate disciplinary action(s)

The 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 following investigation and review.
• Provide such student with a descriptions of any local or community drug or alcohol treatment facilities, counseling, rehabilitation, or re-entry programs that are available for such purposes and may be mandated by a federal, state or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency.

The Technical College is responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of a drug free awareness program to inform students of the following:

• The dangers of drug and alcohol abuse on the campus and elsewhere.
• Any available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation, and assistance programs.
• Notification that severe penalties will be imposed upon students for drug and alcohol use and/or abuse violations occurring on campus, off-campus classes or activities sponsored by the college as those violations adversely affect the Technical College community or the pursuit of its objectives.
• Technical College jurisdiction and discipline shall be limited to conduct which occurs on Technical College premises, off-campus classes, activities or functions sponsored by the Technical College, or which adversely affects the Technical College Community and/or the pursuit of its objectives.

Students in a number of classes each term will be required to complete the learning platform, AlcoholEdu, to learn how to make good decisions regarding alcohol consumption. In addition, mandate students seeking counseling or treatment for drug or alcohol use that impairs the success of daily living will also to participate in this learning platform. This learning platform is also available to any interested student as well. The learning objectives of AlcoholEdu include:

• Abstainers will continue to choose not to drink
• Drinkers will more often choose not to drink any alcohol or intentionally limit alcohol intake
• When making the decision to consume alcohol, students will take steps to keep their blood alcohol levels in a safe range by actively monitoring intake and extend time element between drinks
• Students will help protect another person who has had too much to drink from dangerous situations in which his/her judgment has become impaired
• Students will attempt to help a friend who might have a problem with drugs and alcohol to include referral to counseling or treatment program
• Students will make informed decisions to avoid using marijuana and other drugs.

Concerning potential health risks, students should be aware that according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and other sources, drug and alcohol use might have a wide range of short- and long-term, direct, and indirect effects. Even after one use, short-term effects can cause alterations in appetite, the ability to sleep, slower or faster heart rate, dizziness, changes in blood pressure, behavior, and mood. Extended use over time or even an isolated incident of overindulgence can cause greater health risks to include heart attack, stroke, seizures, disorders of internal organs, and short-term psychosis. In other cases, extreme use of drugs or alcohol can lead to unintentional overdose and possible death. Long-term use of Drug and Alcohols may include heart and/or lung disease, certain cancers, liver disease, mental illness or mental disorders, hepatitis and other health concerns to include an increased chance of dependency or addiction. In addition, use of drugs and alcohol can impair good decision-making skills, which could lead to the contraction of AIDS, HIV or sexually transmitted diseases due to risk-taking behaviors. The risk for impulsivity, trauma, violence, injury, and risky behaviors may be enhanced due to impaired judgment. In addition, the use of drugs and alcohol may contribute to short- and long-term changes in brain activity that affects mood, impulsivity, memory, stress, and the ability to learn new material and acquire new skills. This may adversely affect a student's educational success and career opportunities. Even when drug and alcohol use is eliminated or reduced, those changes may become permanent. Last, the use of drugs and alcohol may adversely affect babies born to women who use drugs and alcohol while pregnant or while breastfeeding.

There are several options for the treatment of Drugs and Alcohol addiction or abuse to include assessment and evaluation services, intervention services, in-patient and outpatient treatment centers, counseling, 12-step recovery programs, partial hospitalization options, group therapy, and community support groups. In addition, a variety of referrals to outside agencies is available. Students may call 770-533-7005 or email kregister@LanierTech.edu to make an appointment.

Lanier Technical College Events and Activities and Awareness Campaigns

As a campus community effort, LTC will launch a continuous multi-media campaign on all campus locations to inform students about the use, dangers, long-term and short-term effects of drug and alcohol use to include:

• Information in the LTC College Catalog
• Information in the Student Resource Guide
• Drug and alcohol awareness information and resources on the campus website
• An electronic and social multimedia campaign to increase student knowledge and awareness of drug and alcohol prevention.

Resource Fair

An annual event that brings in community providers for wellness, drug and alcohol prevention and rehabilitation programs. To be conducted during Fall Semester.

Ongoing Alcohol EDU Learning Platform

AlcoholEdu is an online learning platform to educate and motivate students to use alcohol safely in order to establish a lifelong pattern of moderation in drinking or abstaining and recognize harmful behaviors associated with drinking and drug use. The goal is to educate students in making good decisions regarding alcohol, set limits on the number of drinks, understanding, the amount of alcohol in the standard drink, stop drinking at a predetermined time, and choose to consume less alcohol overall. Information on participating in this learning platform will be placed on the website.

Drug and Alcohol Awareness Lunch and Learn Sessions

During fall term, a designated Lunch and Learn session will held featuring alcohol and drug awareness. Flyers and educational materials will be distributed to raise awareness of the event.

Ongoing Drugs and Alcohol Material Distribution

Provide literature, brochures, and educational information on all campus locations throughout the year. Informational leaflets on the dangers of drug and alcohol use will incorporate information on counseling services provided by ESPYR.

Student Awareness Assessment

LTC will conduct periodic assessments to determine the effectiveness of the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Prevention strategies. Assessments will occur at both on campus events and in the annual LTC Student Satisfaction survey.

Conclusion

Lanier Technical College is committed to maintaining a learning environment which protects our students, staff, and visitors from unsafe and unhealthy influences while on our Campuses. Factually, the use/abuse of alcohol and other drugs also increases the risk for behavioral and social problems and can create a negative impact on academic work performance and relationships with co-workers, classmates, family, and friends. Conduct problems result in disciplinary action, loss of employment or dismissal from academic classes and programs. The laws of the state of Georgia and the policies of the Technical College System of Georgia prohibit the use, possession, consumption, sale, distribution, and unlawful manufacture of illegal drugs, narcotics or controlled substances on LTC's campuses, while conducting College business or as part of College sponsored activities or events. By keeping our Campus Community apprised and informed of current laws and policies, as well as the effects of drugs on social and physical health, LTC continues its commitment in cultivating a secure environment for our students, staff, and visitors.

We invite you to visit the SAP website at www.espyr.com and enter lanier as your password. The website is an easy to use resource offering assessments, videos, quizzes, courses, articles, calculators, and much more. You may even confidentially request SAP services from the site.