LBCC’s Alcohol and Drug Free Program

I. Introduction

Linn-Benton Community College is legally required and morally committed to the prevention of illicit drug use and the abuse of alcohol by both students and employees. Drug and alcohol abuse is a significant public health problem which has spread throughout our society, affecting performance and productivity, as well as our level of general health. In addition, the use of drugs can adversely affect an organization’s level of safety as well as its public confidence and trust. In brief, this section has been developed by LBCC to comply with the federal law and to educate and inform its students and employees of the health risks, counseling and treatment resources, and sanctions for noncompliance. Linn-Benton will biennially review this program to determine its effectiveness and implement changes if needed and to ensure that the sanctions required are consistently enforced.

II. Standards of Conduct

Students

The LBCC Student Rights, Responsibilities & Conduct document (page 6, number 14) defines the following behaviors as violations of the standards of student conduct: “use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or dangerous drugs except as expressly permitted by law.” The document may be viewed online at www.linnbenton.edu/student-rights.

Employees

In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), it shall be the policy of Linn-Benton Community College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for all employees of the District. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispension, possession or use of alcohol or a controlled substance, except by physician’s prescription, is strictly prohibited in the workplace(s) of the Linn-Benton Community College District.

III. A Description of the Health Risks Associated with the Use of Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol

Illicit Drugs

Marijuana is addictive and can cause impaired short-term memory, visual tracking, heart rate, slowed reaction time/poor coordination, lung disease and damage to reproductive functions.

Cocaine and Crack are highly addictive and may cause impaired judgment, short attention span, irritability, depression, mood swings, malnutrition, severe weight loss and liver damage, coma, seizure and heart attack.

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 or 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, or death.

Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug and can cause loss of concentration, poor judgment and coordination, impaired memory, drowsiness and mood swings, liver damage/cirrhosis of the liver, high blood pressure and heart attack, pancreatitis, various cancers and heart disease.

IV. A Description of the Applicable Legal Sanctions under Local, State, and Federal Law for Unlawful Possession, Use, or Distribution of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol

The following chart describes the penalties in general for possession of key drugs according to the Federal Drug Schedules.

Delivery of less than five grams or possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is a violation. HB 2479 established mandatory evaluation, education and treatment services for those under 18 years of age. 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 BAC) is grounds for losing their license until they are 18. There are many more laws pertaining to alcohol and other drugs. This is a sample to demonstrate that most drugs are VERY illegal, and a criminal conviction may bar a student from their chosen career path or an employee from successful employment with the college.

V. LBCC Sanctions

Students

Sanctions which may be imposed on students for violations of the code include disciplinary warning, disciplinary probation (a written warning by the dean of student services or college president), temporary exclusion (removal for up to two class periods or longer), suspension (exclusion from classes and activities and/or forfeiture of the right to enter the campus, expulsion (termination of student status), and others.

Employees

The college will impose sanctions or require satisfactory completion of a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program. Sanctions imposed may include disciplinary probation (the suspension of a more severe penalty for a specific time period, based upon good behavior), suspension (the temporary barring from employment for a specific time period, without pay), and/or termination (the severance of employment with the college).

VI. Assistance Programs Available to Students and Employees

College Resources for Students:

College Resources for Employees:

LBCC provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), available to all contracted employees. Through this program, each employee and his or her dependents are allowed five visits per year at no cost for appraisal, limited counseling and/or referral. All employee contact with EAP is strictly confidential. Phone numbers for EAP include: (800-922-7009; Corvallis (541-754-8004) or Eugene (541-344-6929).