Alcohol & Drug Education
Alcohol and Drugs Information for University
Students
The University System of Georgia accepts a responsibility to educate its
students on the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and to adopt
policies and procedures designed to minimize the incidents involving the
high-risk use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. At Georgia Southwestern
State University, alcohol, tobacco and other drug education programs are
coordinated through the Division of Student Affairs in conjunction with
BACCHUS (Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University
Students) Peer Educators, and the Task Force on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other
Drugs. A major emphasis each year will be upon National Collegiate Alcohol
Awareness Week in the Fall Semester and Safe Spring Break in the Spring
Semester. For these weeks, and throughout the academic year, programs will
be sponsored to increase Georgia Southwestern State University students'
perceptions of the use of alcohol, legal aspects of alcohol use, and
alternatives to alcohol. The intention is to assist students of legal age in
making educated, responsible choices for themselves. The dangers of
high-risk use and the resources available for assistance (counseling,
treatment and rehabilitation) are included in the programs. These programs
are intended to educate about the reality of alcohol use and its effects on
the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being of the individual.
Alcohol and Drug Awareness programs are open to all Georgia Southwestern
State University students, faculty and staff. The date, time, location and
specific topic of each program is advertised in The Sou'wester, GSW news
on-line, and on information boards around campus. Informative pamphlets are
made available free of charge on a regular basis to the entire university
community by the Peer Educators located in the Student Success Center and in
the Herschel A. Smith Health Center.
A. Federal Legislation that affects Georgia Southwestern State
University Students: Section 484, Student Eligibility, a section of the
Higher Education Amendments relevant to Institutions of Higher Education (IHE)
prevention states that a student who has been convicted of any offense under
any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of a controlled
substance shall not be eligible to receive any grant, loan, or work
assistance under this title during the period beginning on the date of such
conviction and ending after the interval specified in the following:
Student Ineligibility for Grants, Loans, or Work Assistance for possession
of a controlled substance:
First conviction--1 year
Second conviction--2 year
Third conviction Indefinite
Student Ineligibility for sale of a controlled
substance
First conviction 2 years
Second conviction Indefinite
Section 952, Alcohol or Drug Possession
Disclosure, another section of the Higher Education Amendments relevant to
IHE prevention, authorizes IHEs to disclose to parents and guardians
violations of institutional policies or rules in addition to local, state,
and federal laws governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled
substance if the student is under 21 and if the IHE determines that the
student has committed a violation.
B. The "On Campus Talking about Alcohol" (OCTAA) curriculum will
serve as the educational portion of the Student Assistance Program (SAP).
The curriculum would be presented in three three-hour sessions. This program
is mandatory and is consistent with current GSW policy. The program will be
required for those found guilty of violating current GSW alcohol, tobacco,
and other drug policies. Further sanctions may be applied if the governing
bodies believe it is necessary based on the circumstances. The program also
will be available for any individual seeking help for alcohol, tobacco, or
other drug issues.
The plan of action for the SAP will be as follows:
First offense: The student will be sent a letter stating that he/she
is required to sign up for and successfully complete the OCTA A program at
the next available offering. The Student will sign up for the OCTA A program
through the Continuing Education Center and will be required to pay a $50
fee for the program. Successful completion of OCTA A requires a knowledge
test score of 75 percent or above. The exam will be given at the completion
of the OCTA A sessions. In addition, the student may be required to provide
up to 40 hours of community service to the campus and/or may be suspended
from the residence hall for a minimum of one semester, among other
sanctions. This will be determined by the appropriate Student Affairs staff.
Upon completion of OCTAA, the student is required to conduct a SAP exit
interview through Counseling Services before the student will receive a
certificate of completion. This signifies that the student has successfully
completed all steps of the SAP.
Second offense: The student will be subject to the following action.
This will include an appointment with Counseling Services. The student will
be required to sign up for and successfully complete the OCTA A program -
extended curriculum at the next available offering. The Student will sign up
for the OCTA A - extended curriculum program through the Continuing
Education Center and will be required to pay a $75 fee for the program. A
clinical assessment may be necessary to determine if addiction counseling or
other treatments should be recommended. In addition, the student may be
required to provide 40 hours of community service to the campus and/or may
be suspended from the residence hall for a minimum of one semester. This
will be determined by the appropriate Student Affairs staff. Upon completion
of OCTAA, the student is required to conduct a SAP exit interview through
Counseling Services before the student will receive a certificate of
completion. This signifies that the student has successfully completed all
steps of the SAP.
Third offense: The student will be suspended from school for a
minimum of one semester. In addition, he or she will be referred to
Alcohol/Drug addiction counseling such as Middle Flint Behavioral Health
Care Services, for proper evaluation and must complete his or her addiction
education program. Only after providing verification of completion of the
educational program, may the student return to school.
C. Georgia Southwestern State University Drug Free Campus Policy:
Georgia
Southwestern State University is committed to support and comply with the
Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law
101-226, Section 22, subpart B) as an Institution of Higher Education. The
law under this act now covers both drugs and alcohol, and relates to
faculty, staff and students. Therefore, the entire campus community of
Georgia Southwestern State University is under the mandate to comply. A
committee appointed by the President of Georgia Southwestern has been
charged with ensuring compliance with the aforementioned federal mandates.
The Task Force on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Committee is a committee
appointed by the President of Georgia Southwestern State University. The
Task Force shall focus on alcohol, tobacco, and other drug education,
prevention and intervention for the GSW campus community. The Task Force
shall:
provide continual guidance and support to ensure that the 1989 amendments
(Part 86) to the "Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act" regulations are being
followed.
develop a strategic plan for GSW on ATOD issues. This will include the
assignment of sub-committees to accomplish strategic plan tasks.
forward any recommendations or modifications in any current GSW
drug/alcohol/tobacco policies to the President.
establish and assess the Student Assistance Program to educate and provide
interventions to students who violate current GSW alcohol, tobacco, and
other drug policies as well as any federal, state or local laws.
oversee the general education of the campus community in relation to
policies, laws, and risks associated with ATOD use including programming,
classes, seminars, and workshops
collaborate with GSW's chapter of the BACCHUS Peer Educators to provide
quality educational programming in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, and other
drugs for the campus community
provide training for task force members and peer educators on ATOD issues
provide financial support for GSW education and prevention programs.
assess the university environment surrounding perceptions and use of ATOD
using a variety of instruments such as the CORE survey
collaborate with members of the community to ensure a community approach
to ATOD education
D. To achieve the maximum benefit under this program, Georgia
Southwestern State University expects faculty, staff and students to meet
appropriate standards of performance, to observe basic rules of good
conduct, to comply with Institutional personnel policies and procedures as
contained in the Personnel Policy Manual, the Faculty Handbook (as amended),
and the Georgia Southwestern State University Weathervane: A Student
Handbook (as amended).
E. As an institution of higher education, the primary focus is on the
health and safety of all faculty, staff and students. Georgia Southwestern
provides a confidential counseling and referral program and encourages
faculty, staff, and students who feel they have a potential alcohol/other
drug related problem to utilize these services. An important part of this
program includes the Student Assistant Program (SAP) which is a coordinated
effort by the appropriate Student Affairs departments, including Counseling
Services and the Task Force on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs. In the
discharge of its responsibilities as an employer and an institution of
higher education, Georgia Southwestern State University aggressively
promotes and requires a drug free campus among its faculty, staff and
student body. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation,
possession or use of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol by
Georgia Southwestern State University employees and students is prohibited
by Institutional Policy. Violations of this policy, including felony and/or
misdemeanor drug or alcohol convictions during the course of employment or
as a student enrolled in any academic program at Georgia Southwestern State
University, may result in appropriate disciplinary penalties being imposed
by the University, up to and including termination of employment or
expulsion and referral for prosecution. This policy shall be communicated to
new faculty by appropriate department chairs and Human Resources personnel,
and to all new, and other, students by the appropriate Student Affairs
departments. This information is also available in the Georgia Southwestern
State University Bulletin. Each contractor engaged in the performance of a
Federal contract or grant will be provided with a copy of this policy.
Students should be sure to reference the Student Code of Conduct for
additional information concerning Alcohol and Drug misuse and associated
penalties.