In accordance with the requirements of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), and the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Public Law 101-690), our school provides all students and employees with the following information concerning school policies and the consequences of the manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of illicit drugs or alcohol.

Students and employees are prohibited from the unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, possessing, or using illicit drugs or alcohol while on school property or participating in any school activity. Violation of this policy will subject students or employees to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion or termination from employment. In addition, violation may result in local, state, and/or federal criminal charges.

Legal sanctions under local, state, and federal laws may include:

• Suspension, revocation, or denial of a driver's license
• Loss of eligibility for federal financial aid or other federal benefits
• Property seizure
• Mandated community service
• Felony conviction may result in 20-50 years hard labor without benefit of parole
• Monetary fines

In addition to local and state authorities, the federal government has four agencies (the Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Coast Guard) engaged in combating illicit drugs. One should be aware that:

• It is a crime to hold someone else's illicit drugs
• It is a crime to sell fake "dope"
• It is a crime for being in a house where people are using illicit drugs
• It is a crime if drugs are in your locker, car, purse, or house

Drug abuse, which can affect ones physical and emotional health and social life, is the utilization of natural and/or synthetic chemical substances for non¬medical reasons to affect the body and its processes, the mind and nervous system and behavior. Drugs can be highly addictive and injurious to the body. Among the manifestations may be loss of sense of responsibility and coordination, restlessness, irritability, anxiety, paranoia, depression, acting slow ¬moving, inattentiveness, loss of appetite, sexual indifference, coma, convulsions, and death.

There are classic danger signals that could be indicative of drug use. These danger signals include:

• Abrupt changes in mood or attitude
• Continuing slump at work or school
• Continuing resistance to discipline at work or school
• Cannot get along with family or friends
• Unusual temper flare-ups
• Increased borrowing of money
• Heightened secrecy
• A completely new set of friends

Information regarding the effects of commonly abused drugs may be found here. Drug and alcohol abuse education programs are offered by local community agencies. The school will post information about such education programs at the Financial Aid Office.

While care must be taken to ensure that a person is not wrongly accused of drug use, it is recommended that anyone who notes danger signals in either a student or employee contact the school Campus Director’s Office. If it is determined by the Campus Director that a student or employee is in need of assistance to overcome a drug problem, he/she may be counseled on the need to seek assistance. The cost of such assistance or treatment will be the responsibility of the student or employee. Records of such counseling will remain confidential.

In certain instances, students and employees may be referred to counseling and/or a substance abuse help center. If such a referral is made, continued enrollment or employment is contingent upon attendance and successful completion of any prescribed counseling or treatment. Students or employees who are seeking treatment for a substance abuse problem may contact the Campus Director’s Office. Confidentiality will be maintained. In addition, students or employees who believe they have a substance abuse problem may find sources of treatment or advice by referring to the section of the local telephone book headed "Drug Abuse & Addiction Information and Treatment."
There are also national organizations that may be contacted for help, such as:

• The Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Hotline 1-800-ALCOHOL
• The Cocaine Hotline 1-800-NODRUGS
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment Referral Hotline 1-800-662-HELP
• Al Anon for Families of Alcoholics 1-800-344-2666

Student and employees must notify the Campus Director, in writing, within five days of being convicted of a criminal drug statute at the school. Disciplinary action will occur within 30 days of receipt of the written notification and may range from a letter of admonishment to termination from enrollment or employment at the school.