Substance Abuse Policy

Purpose
 
The policy and procedures described in this booklet have been created to comply with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), which requires the College to sign a certification of compliance in order to receive any Federal funds.  The institution must show that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees.  The law, which became effective October 1, 1990, applies to all students and employees and makes no distinction between full and part time, permanent or temporary.  Heidelberg College will conduct a biennial review of its Drug Prevention Program to determine its effectiveness and implement any necessary changes.
 
Standards of Conduct
 
The unlawful manufacture, possession, use, and/or distribution of any illicit drugs (including alcohol) or drug paraphernalia on College property or as a part of any College activity by students or employees is strictly prohibited by Heidelberg College as well as by federal, state, and local law.  Attending work or class while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is also prohibited. Violations are considered a serious offense and violators will be prosecuted in accordance with applicable laws and ordinances. Disciplinary sanctions may include disciplinary suspension, dismissal, and/or referral for prosecution.
 
Federal, State, & Local Legal Sanctions
 
The following is a description of the applicable legal sanctions under Local, State, or Federal law for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
 
A. Federal Law
 
1. Controlled Substances
 
Any person knowingly or intentionally manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing with an intent to distribute or dispense, a “controlled substance” (as defined in 21 U.S.C. Sections 802,812) is subject to sentencing under Federal law to a term of imprisonment of as much as twenty (20) years to life and a fine of four million dollars ($4,000,000).  Although the sentences imposed under Federal law vary according to the specific controlled substance involved, all Federal sentencing requirements are stringent.
 
2. Alcohol
 
The illegal manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages, without obtaining the necessary and proper permits from Federal alcohol authorities may subject a convicted individual to fines of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000).

B. State Law
 
Criminal sanctions under Ohio law vary significantly depending upon the controlled substance and the act involved.  All specific laws and relevant sections are written in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) which is accessible in Beeghly Library.
 
1. Controlled Substances
 
ORC 2925.11       Prohibits any person from knowingly obtaining, possessing or using a controlled substance.
 
Penalty:                 A maximum of ten (10) years imprisonment and up to a $5,000.00 fine.
 
2. Alcohol
 
ORC 4301.63       Provides that no person under the age of twenty one (21) shall purchase beer or intoxicating liquor.
 
Penalty:                 A fine of not less than $25.00 nor more that $100.
 
ORC 4301.69A   Prohibits selling beer or intoxicating liquor to a person under the age of twenty one (21) years, or buying it for or furnishing it to such a person.
 
Penalty:                  Misdemeanor of the first degree.  Maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to 6 months and a $1000.00 fine.
 
ORC 4301.69E   Provides that no underage person shall knowingly possess or consume any beer or intoxicating liquor, in any public or private place, unless he is accompanied by a parent, spouse, or legal guardian, who is not an underage person, unless it is for medical or religious reasons.
 
Penalty:                 Maximum penalty is imprisonment for not more than six months and a $1,000.00 fine.
 
C. Local Ordinances
 
The city of Tiffin enforces all the state criminal statutes cited above and all others cited in the ORC.
               
 
Health Risks
The following is a description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol.
 
A.  The American Medical Association defines drug abuse as the “self-administration of drugs, either for non-medical reasons or in quantities and frequencies beyond those specified for proper medication,” and it points out that millions of people today are abusing a wide variety of drugs, from aspirin to heroin and now to alcohol.
 
B.  The medical profession and others in scientific fields agree that more research needs to be done on the long-range effects of alcohol and other drugs.  However, they warn that there is already considerable evidence that alcohol and drug abuse does have serious deleterious effects, and no one should be deluded into believing that the abuse of marijuana or any other intoxicating or hallucinogenic drug is a safe thing to do.  This includes alcohol, which is a drug.
 
Treatment and Counseling Procedures
 
The following is a description of any drug or alcohol counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, or re-entry programs that are available to employees or students.
 
A.  Heidelberg College is concerned that our students and employees do not abuse the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.  Should a member of the Heidelberg Community want help with his/her alcohol or drug problem, we are anxious to aid the person in any possible way.  Professional help is offered through our Counseling Center, Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services or smoking succession programs available in Stoner Health Center.  Helping such an individual is of great importance, but the individual should initiate such action himself/herself. 
 
B.  Heidelberg College has a Counseling Center with services available to all students.  Also, Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services provides counseling by professionals experienced with the complexities of substance abuse.  The counseling might be one-on-one, in a group, or with families.  The aim of counseling is to help people see their substance abuse patterns clearly - where they come from, where these patterns are leading, and what can be done to break old habits.

C.  The Student Affairs office facilitates various support groups that are open to any member of the Heidelberg Community.  Support groups are confidential networks that allow individuals to meet regularly and share their common concerns.  Also, information is available from the Students Affairs office concerning support  groups that meet in the Tiffin Community.  These groups include Alcoholics Anonymous,  eating disorder groups, Alanon, Ala-Teen, Narcotics Anonymous, and 12-Step Groups.
 
Policy Statement
 
Since the primary objective of Heidelberg College is to contribute to the growth of the individual, the College strives to maintain an environment free from conditions that might prove harmful.  The behavior resulting from the misuse of alcohol and other drugs can endanger both the individual user and others.  When a person seeks refuge through the misuse of alcohol and other drugs, efforts to enrich life through other activities are reduced.  Because the abuse of alcohol and other drugs often limits one’s full participation in and contribution to the total program of the College, it is incompatible with the educative process and inconsistent with the basic purposes of an academic community.
 
Although it is the policy of Heidelberg College to be supportive of those individuals receiving treatment for chemical dependency (including alcohol abuse), students and employees should be apprised that treatment is not a refuge from disciplinary action.  Individuals with dependency problems who do not respond to treatment may ultimately have their employment terminated or be dismissed from school.  Disciplinary actions may be held in abeyance pending the conclusion of a treatment program and may be mitigated by the results of such a program.
 
Since dealing with alcohol and drug abuse is a most difficult problem, all issues will be treated confidentially.  Each case will be handled on an individual basis through the following channels:
 
Individual             Authority                                         Appeals
Students             Associate Dean                               VP for Student Affairs or President
Faculty               Dean of the College                          Professional Development Committee
Employees         VP for Administration                        President's Council
 
In order to see that our alcohol and other drug policy is implemented and at the same time protect the civil rights of the individual, the following procedure is employed by Heidelberg College:
 
When hearsay or repeated reports reach the proper authority indicating possible alcohol and/or drug abuse the student or employee will be:
                a. apprised of this information
                b. reminded of the drug policy of the College and applicable laws
                c. urged to seek professional help
                d. told of procedures that may have to be employed in the future
                                                                OR
If there is specific information available and there are compelling reasons to suspect the individual is involved in the abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs, the individual will be confronted with all available information and the following action will be taken:
                a. counseling, and/or
                b. disciplinary procedures (including rehabilitation, probation, suspension, etc.), and/or
                c. dismissal.
 
If the individual does not feel that this action is appropriate, then he/she has the right to appeal.  Appeals will be heard through the proper channels stated above.  Hearing, appeal, and disciplinary procedures are described in the College Planner/Resource Book, the Faculty Manual, and the Employee Handbook.
 

EMPLOYEES AND STUDENT PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS
 
Under a similar but separate law, the Drug-Free Workplace Act, a Pell grant recipient must certify that he or she will not engage in any activity involving illicit drugs during the period covered by the Pell grant; this also applies to activities that are not sponsored by Heidelberg College, such as off-campus non-academic pursuits.
 
Under the Drug-Free Workplace Act, any student or employee is required to notify the College within five days of any criminal drug conviction relating to illegal drug activity in the workplace.
 
The College is then required to notify the applicable federal agency of any employee conviction.  Employee refers to students receiving Pell grants and/or student employees in addition to full and part-time employees.
 
 
ON-CAMPUS AND LOCAL RESOURCES
 

CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS THAT SPONSOR ALCOHOL-FREE ACTIVITIES