Alcohol and Other Drug Policy

EGSC Student Handbook, “Institutional Policy” section

Revisions adopted by the President’s Cabinet 9/22/15; 9/27/22; 10/4/22
Approved by President’s Cabinet 9-23-14

Drugs and Alcohol

President Bush’s National Drug Control Strategy issued in September of 1989 proposed that the Congress pass legislation to require schools, colleges, and universities to implement and enforce firm drug prevention programs and policies. On December 12, 1989, the President signed the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments (Public Law 101-226). This law establishes a process to accomplish the President’s goal.

Public Law 101-226 requires that schools maintain standards of conduct that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs and alcohol on school property or as any part of school activities.

In support of Public Law 101-226, East Georgia State College recognizes and supports local, state, and federal laws with respect to the sale, use, distribution, and possession of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs. To this end, the possession, consumption, distribution, manufacture, or sale (without valid medical or dental prescription) of alcoholic beverages, illegal or dangerous drugs on East Georgia State College property or at institutionally-approved events off campus is prohibited. East Georgia State College also adheres to the following: 

Drug Free School Zone – it is unlawful for persons to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess with intent to distribute illegal drugs within 1,000 feet of any elementary or secondary school property. A first conviction is punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years and/or a fine of not more than $20,000, and a second or subsequent conviction is punishable by imprisonment for at least five years but not more than 40 years and/or a fine of not more than $40,000. 

Student Organization Responsibility for Drug Abuse Act – provides that any student organization that knowingly engages in illegal drug activity will be expelled from its college campus for a minimum of one year. A student organization may appeal to the Board of Regents, or, in some cases, to certain superior courts. 

Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990 – provides that students enrolled in public postsecondary schools who are convicted of a drug-related offense shall be suspended for the remainder of the quarter, semester, etc. and shall forfeit all academic credit for that period. Furthermore, it provides that students enrolled in nonpublic postsecondary schools who are convicted of a drug-related offense shall be denied state funds for any loans, grants, or scholarships for the remainder of the quarter, semester, etc.  

Amending the List of Controlled Substances – this act adds several names to the list of dangerous drugs. 1-(1-(2-thienyl) cyclohexy) pyrrolidine is added to Schedule 1 of the list of controlled substances. In addition, the following items are added to the list of dangerous drugs: adenosine, carboplatin, cefixime, cefpiramide sodium, clozapine, flutamide, ganciclovir sodium, mefloguine HCL, omeprzole, propafenone HCL, propofol, selegiline HCL, and imodium A-D 2mg caplets. 

Posting of Drug Laws – this resolution encourages counties, municipalities, schools, colleges and businesses to post on their premises summaries of drug legislation enacted during the 1990 Session. These summaries should include the risks and penalties imposed for using and/or selling illegal drugs. 

Substance Abuse Services Available in Area (through Ogeechee Area MH/MR/SA Center, 98 Anderson Drive, P.O. Box 1110, Swainsboro, GA 30401, phone number 478-289-2530). 

• • • Ogeechee Behavioral Health Services provides outpatient services such as alcohol and drug assessments as well as counseling services. 
      
    • In-patient facilities –
      • • Serenity Behavioral Health Systems (located in Augusta, Georgia) - (888) 629-3330 - Provides dual diagnosis drug rehabilitation with a primary focus on mental health services and drug rehabilitation. 
        • Quentin Price (located in Dublin, Georgia) - (800) 868-5423 or (800) 868-5423 - This facility provides detoxification services. The treatment center provides short-term residential treatment.
        • John’s Place Crisis Stabilization Unit (located in Statesboro, Georgia) - (912) 764-6129 or (800) 746-3526 - This facility provides short-term intensive services for individuals in need of more intensive and structured residential services. 
        • Braswell House (located in Swainsboro, Georgia) - (478) 289-2486. This is an addictive disease semi-independent residential program. Individuals entering this program are referred by in-patient crisis stabilization units. This program offers a safe, stable, drug free residence to ten co-ed individuals for a minimum of 30 days. Individuals without a safe and sober home environment to return to are often good candidates for this program. 

Our New Amendment Follows:

East Georgia State College Student Alcohol and Drug Policy Amendment October 2006

Drug Free Schools and Campuses (DFSC) Regulations – require all institutions of higher education, as a condition of receiving federal funds or other forms of federal financial assistance under any federal program, to certify that they have implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students. Implementation of this regulation requires a written policy, distribution to all students and a biennial report on the effectiveness of the programs and the consistency of policy enforcement. 

I. Policy: The possession, consumption, distribution, manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverage or container, illegal or dangerous drugs (without valid dental or medical prescription) on East Georgia State College property, including institutionally approved events off campus, is prohibited. Alcohol: No student shall unlawfully possess or consume distribute, manufacture, or sell an alcoholic beverage or container off EGSC property. No student shall be under the influence of alcohol while on East Georgia State College property or at institutionally approved events, or under the influence of alcohol in such a way that it violates federal, state, or local laws on or off campus.  Drugs: No student shall unlawfully possess or consume (without a valid dental or medical prescription), distribute, manufacture, or sell illegal or dangerous drugs or drug-related paraphernalia off EGSC property. No student shall be under the influence of illegal or dangerous drugs while on East Georgia State College property or at institutionally approved events, or under the influence of illegal or dangerous drugs in such a way that it violates federal, state, or local laws on or off campus.

Georgia law prohibits the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by those under the legal drinking age and prohibits making alcoholic beverages available to persons under the legal drinking age. In further support of campus wide safety and to enforce EGSC’s Drug Free School Zone, EGSC Campus Police will utilize trained canine officers to conduct periodic patrols of the EGSC -Swainsboro campus. The patrol may include all buildings and parking lots.  The canine officers are provided as a courtesy from neighboring police departments and will be accompanied by their respective police officer handlers. 

II. Institutional sanctions for violations of the above policy are located in the "Disciplinary Sanctions for Conduct Code Violations," section of this Student Handbook. Felony Drug Convictions are specifically addressed within the above section. All sanctions imposed by East Georgia State College are subject to review procedures authorized by the Board of Regents Policy 8.6 Application for Discretionary Review. 

An appeal to the Board of Regents shall not defer the effective date of the adverse action against a student pending the Board's review unless the Board so directs. Any such stay or suspension by the Board shall expire as of the Board's final decision on the matter, per Board of Regents Policy. 

III. State Legal Sanctions: A) Suspension: Any student of a public educational institution who is convicted, under the laws of this state, the United States, or any other state, of any felony offense involving the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, or use of marijuana, a controlled substance, or a dangerous drug shall as of the date of conviction be suspended from the public educational institution in which such person is enrolled, (OCGA 20-1-23). (B) Denial of Loans, Grants or Scholarships for Felony Drug Convictions: Any student convicted under the laws of Georgia, the United States, or any other state, of any felony offense, involving the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession or use of marijuana, a controlled substance or a dangerous drug, shall as of the date of the conviction, be denied state funds for any loans, grants or scholarships administered under the Georgia Student Finance Commission. (C) Criminal Sanctions: Under Georgia and federal law, it is a crime to possess, manufacture, sell, or distribute illegal drugs.

As required by federal regulations, you may view charts detailing federal marijuana trafficking laws, federal drug trafficking laws, and the Georgia law drug summary. Federal sanctions for the illegal possession of drugs include imprisonment up to 1 year and/or a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first conviction; imprisonment for 15 days-2 years and a minimum fine of $2,500 for a second drug conviction; and imprisonment for 90 days-3 years and a minimum fine of $5,000 for a third or subsequent drug conviction. For possession of a mixture or substance which contains a cocaine base, federal sanctions include 5-20 years in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000, for a first conviction if the mixture or substance exceeds 5 grams, for a second conviction if the mixture or substance exceeds 3 grams, and for a third or subsequent conviction if the mixture or substance exceeds 1 gram. Additional possible penalties for the illegal possession of drugs are forfeiture of real or personal property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance if the offense is punishable by more than 1 year imprisonment; forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft, or any other conveyance used, or intended for use, to transport or conceal drugs; civil fine up to $10,000 per violation; denial of federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses for up to 1 year for a first and up to 5 years for a second or subsequent offense; successful completion of a drug treatment program; community service; and ineligibility to receive or purchase a firearm.

Georgia law prohibits the purchase or possession of alcohol by a person under the age of 21, or the furnishing of alcohol to such a person. Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs also is illegal. It is against Georgia law, under certain circumstances, to walk or be upon a roadway while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The punishment for these offenses may include imprisonment, payment of a fine, mandatory treatment and education programs, community service, and mandatory loss of one’s driver’s license.

IV. Health Risks of Alcohol and Drugs. See below information regarding risk of alcohol and drugs.

Alcohol. Health hazards associated with the excessive use of alcohol or with alcohol dependency include dramatic behavioral changes, retardation of motor skills, and impairment of reasoning and rational thinking. These factors result in a higher incidence of accidents and accidental death for such persons compared to nonusers of alcohol. Nutrition also suffers and vitamin and mineral deficiencies are frequent. Prolonged alcohol abuse can cause any or all of the following: bleeding from the intestinal tract, damage to nerves and the brain, impotence, psychotic behavior, loss of memory and coordination, damage to the liver often resulting in cirrhosis, severe inflammation of the pancreas, and damage to the bone marrow, heart, testes, ovaries and muscles. Damage to the nerves and organs is usually irreversible. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in alcoholics and is 10 times more frequent than in non-alcoholics. Sudden withdrawal of alcohol from persons dependent on it will cause serious physical withdrawal symptoms. Drinking during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Overdoses of alcohol can result in respiratory arrest and death.

Drugs. The use of illicit drugs usually causes the same general types of physiological and mental changes as alcohol, though frequently those changes are more severe and more sudden. Death or coma resulting from overdose of drugs is more frequent than from alcohol.

Cocaine. Cocaine is a stimulant that is most commonly inhaled as a powder. It can be dissolved in water and used intravenously. The cocaine extract (crack) is smoked. Users can progress from infrequent use to dependence within a few weeks or months. Psychological and behavioral changes which can result from use include over-stimulation, hallucinations, irritability, sexual dysfunction, psychotic behavior, social isolation, and memory problems. An overdose produces convulsions and delirium and may result in death from cardiac arrest. Cocaine dependency requires considerable assistance, close supervision and treatment.

Amphetamines. Patterns of use and associated effects are similar to cocaine. Severe intoxication may produce con­fusion, rambling or incoherent speech, anxiety, psychotic behavior, ringing in the ears, and hallucinations. Intense fatigue and depression resulting from use can lead to severe depression. Large doses may result in convulsions and death from cardiac or respiratory arrest.

MDA and MDMA (XTC, ecstasy). These amphetamine-based hallucinogens are sold in powder, tablet, or capsule form and can be inhaled, injected, or swallowed. They cause similar, but usually milder, hallucinogenic effects than those of LSD. Because they are amphetamines, tolerance can develop quickly and overdose can happen. Exhaustion and possible liver damage can occur with heavy use. In high doses, these drugs can cause anxiety, paranoia and delusions. While rare, these drugs have been associated with deaths in users with known or previously undiagnosed heart conditions.

Rhohypnol (rophies, roofies, rope). This drug is in the same category of drugs as Valium, a benzodiazepine, but is more potent than Valium. Initially, it causes a sense of relaxation and a reduction of anxiety. At higher doses, light-headedness, dizziness, lack of coordination and slurred speech occur. The drug affects memory and, in higher doses or if mixed with other drugs or alcohol, can result in amnesia for the time period the user is under the influence. Because of this amnesia effect, Rhohypnol has been given intentionally to others to facilitate sexual assault and other crimes. Combin­ing this drug with other sedating drugs, including alcohol, will increase the intensity of all effects of the drug and, in sufficient doses, can cause respiratory arrest and death. Dependency can occur.

Heroin and other opiates. Addiction and dependence can develop rapidly. Use is characterized by impaired judgment, slurred speech, and drowsiness. Overdose is manifested by coma, shock, and depressed respiration, with the possibility of death from respiratory arrest. Withdrawal problems include sweating, diarrhea, fever, insomnia, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and muscle and joint pains.

Hallucinogens or psychedelics. These include LSD, mescaline, peyote, and phencyclidine or PCP. Use impairs and distorts one’s perception of surroundings, causes mood changes, and results in visual hallucinations that involve geometric forms, colors, persons, or objects.

Solvent inhalants (e.g., glue, lacquers, plastic cement). Fumes from these substances cause problems similar to alcohol. Incidents of hallucinations and permanent brain damage are more frequent with chronic use.

Marijuana (Cannabis). Marijuana is usually ingested by smoking. Smoking marijuana causes disconnected ideas, alteration of depth perception and sense of time, impaired judgment and impaired coordination. Prolonged use can lead to psychological dependence.

Damage from intravenous drug use. In addition to the adverse effects associated with the use of a specific drug, intravenous drug users who use unsterilized needles or who share needles with other drug users can develop HIV, hepatitis, tetanus (lock jaw), and infections in the heart. Permanent damage or death can result.

Synthetic cannabis (K2 and Spice). This is a psychoactive designer drug derived of natural herbs sprayed with synthetic chemicals that, when consumed, allegedly mimic the effects of cannabis. Synthetic cannabis can precipitate psychosis and in some cases it is prolonged. These studies suggest that synthetic cannabinoid intoxication is associated with acute psychosis, worsening of previously stable psychotic disorders, and also may have the ability to trigger a chronic (long-term) psychotic disorder among vulnerable individuals such as those with a family history of mental illness.

Bath Salts (Brand names include Blizzard, Blue Silk, Charge+, Ivory Snow, Ivory Wave, Ocean Burst, Pure Ivory, Purple Wave, Snow Leopard, Stardust, Vanilla Sky, White Dove, White Knight and White Lightning). Bath salts are a dangerous drug whose full risks and effects are still unknown. Doctors have reported that bath salts can cause rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pains, agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia and delusions. Long-term effects are believed to be similar to methamphetamine (meth). Taking a lot of it for a long time can lead to emotional and physical "crash-like" feelings of depression, anxiety and intense cravings for more of the drug. Since it contains amphetamine-like chemicals, bath salts will always carry the risk of stroke, heart attack and sudden death.