|
|
Home |
Drug & Alcohol PolicyI. What is College policy? What are the laws? II. What are the known effects of drug use and alcohol abuse? III. Where can you go for help for yourself and others? IV. What can happen if you violate the campus policy?I. What is College policy?Lewis & Clark College seeks to assure the health and well-being of the entire College community. Therefore, consistent with state and federal laws, including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug-Free Workplace Act, the College has adopted the following policy designed to prevent the illicit use of drugs and alcohol and the abuse of alcohol, and to provide opportunities for education and assistance to members of the College community. The College prohibits the unlawful use, abuse, sale, purchase, transfer, possession, manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of drugs and alcohol by students and employees on College property or as part of any College activity. In accordance with Oregon law, the service of alcohol to, or consumption by, any person who is under the age of 21, or is intoxicated, is prohibited. Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed in the course of any class, laboratory, or other activity at which attendance is required as part of a student's course or degree requirements. Alcoholic beverages may be served or consumed under certain circumstances in designated areas with prior approval. All members of the Lewis & Clark community and guests, and the sponsors of any on-campus or College-sponsored activity or social event at which alcoholic beverages are served, must abide by all applicable laws and must obtain and follow procedures available from the Office of the Associate Dean of the Northwestern School of Law for law school events, and the Office of the Dean of Students for all other circumstances. What are the laws? The trend in the state of Oregon is toward stiffer drug penalties. This is in direct opposition to the decriminalization trend of the 1970s. The penalties for manufacure and distribution of drugs tend to be much more severe than for possession. For example, the maximum penalty for the manufacture and/or distribution of marijuana (under federal law) is 10 years in prison and a fine of $125,000. For complete information on the manufacture, possession, and distribution penalties at the local, state, and federal level, contact the Counseling Center. Penalties for possession
Oregon has strong new laws allowing cars, boats, and other forms of transportation used to transport illegal drugs to be seized and forfeited. Oregon law also provides for a penalty of not more than one year in jail if a person frequents or remains at a place where controlled substances are used. If the only drug found is less than one ounce, then the penalty is a fine of not more than $100. It is illegal to possess or consume alcohol if you are under 21 of age. Many more laws pertain to alcohol and other drugs, and a criminal conviction may bar students from their chosen career path. Portland Municipal Code In addition to these state and federal laws, the city of Portland's Municipal Code also addresses the use of drugs and alcohol. The following violations of the code are punishable by imprisonment of up to 6 months and a fine of not more than $500, or both:
Blood Alcohol Levels If drinking -- be responsible about driving. The chart below shows approximate blood alcohol percentage according to body weight. One drink equals one ounce of 80 proof liquor, or 12 ounces of beer, or 5 ounces of table wine. Subtract 10 percent for each 40 minutes of drinking.
II. What are the known effects of drug use and alcohol abuse?The College recognizes alcohol and drug dependence as an illness and a major health problem. Alcohol is the number one drug problem in this country and on campus. Drinking alcohol has acute effects on the body. It impairs judgment, vision, coordination, and speech and often leads to dangerous risk-taking behavior. Nearly half of all accidental deaths, suicides, and homicides are alcohol-related. The misuse of alcohol is often involved in violent behavior, acquaintance rape, unintended pregnancy, and exposure to sexually-transmitted diseases. Long-term excessive drinking and drug use can lead to a variety of health problems. Drugs and alcohol can cause physical and psychological dependence. They can interfere with memory, sensation, and perception. Drugs impair the brain's ability to synthesize information. Regular users of drugs develop tolerance and physical dependence, often evidenced by withdrawal symptoms. A user is psychologically-dependent when the drug is central to his or her life. Drugs and their effects
III. Where can you go for help for yourself and others?The College encourages students and employees who use illegal drugs or who abuse alcohol to seek appropriate assistance. The College provides alcohol and drug abuse information, education, and counseling or referral services to help meet individual needs and to assist in times of crisis. The Counseling Center and the Student Health Center are available to all members of the College community for confidential alcohol or drug-related assistance, whether or not those members are covered under the College health insurance program. Members of the College community are urged to refer individuals troubled by illegal drug use or alcohol use problems to the Counseling Center, Student Health Center, director of personnel services or the appropriate dean or supervisor. Employee resources Most Lewis & Clark employees (.5 or greater FTE and not including student employees) and their dependents are eligible for the College's employee assistance program. Eligible employees (or their dependents) can make an appointment with an employye assistance program counselor. Meeting take place away from work and are strictly confidential. (If the employee initiates the contact, no information -- not even the fact that the employee has seen the EAP counselor -- will be related to the employer. If the contact is recommended or required by the employer, some information -- for example, that the employee has kept the appointment -- may be relayed back to the employer. The EAP counselor will discuss with the employee any information that will go to the employer.) The EAP counselor, an expert in the area of drug and alcohol problems, can provide information, assessment, consultation, and referral. Resource numbers Lewis & Clark Resources
Community Resources
IV. What can happen if you violate the campus policy?Noncompliance with this policy may result in penalties up to and including expulsion from the College or termination of employment. The nature and severity of the violation will determine the progression of the corrective action. For students, minor violations of College policy and most first offenses will be dealt with by residence hall staff or the Peer Review Board, or in case of an off-campus student, the student Judiciary Board. For repeated or more serious offenses, the student will be referred to the Dean of Students/Director of Student Life. Sanctions may include but are not limited to: censure; restitution/compensation; suspension of residence hall privileges; work assignments; disciplinary probation; referral for personal counseling; referral for substance abuse evaluation, education, and/or treatment; referral to public law enforcement agencies; and removal from the residence hall. Suspension and/or expulsion from the College must be approved by the vice president for student affairs. If the situation warrants, expulsion or termination of employment may occur on a first offense. As required by federal law, the College reserves the right to refer students or employees for prosecution if the severity of the violation warrants such action. In addition to any disciplinary action that may be taken against individuals, any College-sponsored or College-supported groups that condone or encourage violations of this policy may be subject to discipline and possibly to dissolution. The College also reserves the right to remove any and all persons from College facilities or otherwise to separate those persons from the institution whenever there may be a threat to the safety, health, or well-being of the College or a member of the College community, whether alcohol- or drug-related or otherwise. The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires that any employee of the College who has been convicted of a violation of a statute involving illegal drugs shall notify the Director of Personnel Services within five days of the criminal conviction if the conduct giving rise to the conviction occurred on campus or while the member was engaged in activities sponsored by or connected to the College. The College will then make any reports to government agencies that may be required by the law.
Alcohol and Drug Policy and Information produced March 1993 by the Lewis & Clark College Alcohol and Drug Committee. Lewis & Clark College follows the letter and spirit of all equal opportunity and civil rights laws. |
| Home | Policies | Crime Awareness | Other Services | Campus Safety Staff | L&C Home | |
|
|
