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Drug and Alcohol Policy
In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA), the school has set forth in this guide the legal penalties under Federal law for illegal possession of distribution of drugs and alcohol, as well as the range of school sanctions that can be imposed for violation of the school’s policies regarding substance abuse. Both students and employees should read this carefully.
Policy:
The United States Department of Education has regulations for the implementation of the provisions of the “Drug-Free School and Communities Act Amendments of 1989” (Public law 101-226). The School will distribute annually to each student and employee information regarding the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employee on school property.
Standards of Conduct:
The School is committed to a campus free of illegal drug use, misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, underage drinking and alcohol abuse. The school has no tolerance for illegal activity or any other harmful conduct influenced by drugs or alcohol. Unlawful possession as well as the distribution of illegal drugs or alcohol is prohibited on school property or as part of its activities. The school will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies and will apply appropriate internal disciplinary process should a student or any employee violate criminal statutes with regard to illegal drugs or possession or sale of alcohol.
Health Risk:
The following briefly summarizes health risks and symptoms associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs. It is important to note that individuals experience alcohol and drugs in different ways based on physical tolerance, body size and on a variety of other physical and psychological factor.
Alcohol:
Alcohol consumption causes a number of changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasingly the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts. Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high dose cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower dose of alcohol will produce the effects just described. Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations and convulsions. Long- term consumption of large quantities of alcohol can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as brain and the liver. Mothers who drink during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are greater risk than others of developing alcohol related problems.
Cigarettes and other Nicotine Products:
In 1989, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a report that cigarettes and other forms of tobacco, such as cigars, pipe, tobacco and chewing tobacco, are addictive and that nicotine is the drug in tobacco that cause addiction. In addition, the repot determined that smoking was a major cause of stroke and that the third leading cause of death in the United States. Nicotine is both a stimulant and a sedative to the central nervous system. Nicotine is absorbed readily from tobacco smoke in the lungs, and it does not matter whether the tobacco smoke is from cigarettes, cigar, or pipes, Nicotine also is absorbed readily when tobacco is chewed.
In addition to nicotine, cigarette smoke is primarily composed of a dozen gases (mainly carbon monoxide) and tar. The tar in a cigarette, which varies from about 15mg for a regular cigarette to 7 mg in a low-tar cigarette, exposed to the user to a high expectancy rate of lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchial disorders. The carbon monoxide in the smoke increases the chance of cardiovascular diseases. The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults and greatly increases the risk of respiratory illnesses in children and sudden infant death.
Prescription Medication:
Prescription drugs that are abused or used for non-medical reason can alter brain activity and lead to dependence. Commonly abuses classes of prescription drugs include opioids (often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (prescribed to treat narcolepsy, ADHD, and obesity). Long –term use of opioids or central nervous system depressant can lead to depressant can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Taken in high doses, stimulants can lead to compulsive use, paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures and irregular heartbeat.
Marijuana:
Marijuana use can leads to a number of long term and short term physical and psychological effects. Marijuana use lead to a substantial increase in the heart rate impairs shot term memory and comprehension and motivation can be altered.
Cocaine and Crack:
Health risks may include changes in body temperature and blood pressure as well as heart and breathing rates. Even small amounts may cause the body to exceed its own limits, sometimes resulting in death. Snorting cocaine may severely damage nasal tissue and the septum. Smoking cocaine may damage the lungs. Someone using cocaine may experience muscle twitching, panic reactions, anxiety, numbness in hands and feet, loss of weight, a period of hyperactivity followed by a crash, a runny or bleeding nose, and depression. Other symptoms of cocaine use may become paranoid and/or experience hallucinations.
Barbiturates:
In small dose, barbiturates produce calmness, relaxed muscles, and lowered anxiety. Larger dose cause slurred speech, staggering gait, and altered perception. Very large doses or doses taken in combination with other central nervous system depressants (e.g., Alcohol) may cause respirator depression, coma and even death. A person who uses barbiturates may have poor muscle control, appear drowsy or drunk, become confused, irritable, or inattentive, or have slowed reactions.
Amphetamines:
Amphetamines, methamphetamines, or other stimulants can cause increased heart rate and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressures, and dilated pupils. Larger dose cause rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, and physical collapse. An amphetamine injection creates a sudden increase in blood pressure that can result in stroke, high fever, heart failure and death. An individual using amphetamine might begin to lose weight, have the sweats, and appear restless, anxious, moody, and unable to focus. Extended use may produce psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.
Hallucinogens:
PCP, or angel dust, interrupts the part of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check. PCP blocks pain receptors. Violent episodes, including self-inflicted injuries, are not uncommon. Chronic users report memory loss and speech difficulty. Very large doses produce convulsions, comma, heart and lung failure, or ruptured blood vessels in the brain. LDS, mescaline, peyote, ect. Cause dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure and tremors. Someone under the influence of PCP might appear moody, aggressive, or violent. Sleeplessness, confusion, anxiety, and panic, and may report perceptual distortions. Flashbacks may occur.
Steroids (anabolic):
Anabolic steroids are human-made substance related to male sex hormones. Some athletes abuse anabolic steroids are enhance performance. Abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to serious health problems, some paranoia, severe mood swings and aggressive behavior. Major side effects also can include liver tumors and cancer, jaundice, high blood pressure, kidney tumors, server acne and trembling. In males side effects may include shrinking of the testicles and breast development. In females, side effects may include growth of facial hair, menstrual changes and deepened voice. In teenagers, growth may be halted prematurely and permanently.
Narcotics:
Because narcotics are generally injected, the use of contaminated needles may result in the contraction of many different diseases, including AIDS and hepatitis. Symptoms of overdose include shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, and coma and may result in death. Some signs of narcotic use are euphoria, drowsiness, constricted pupils, and nausea. Other symptoms include itch skin, needle or “track” marks on the arms and legs, nodding, lack of sex drive and appetite, sweating, cramps and nausea when withdrawing from the drug.
Treatment:
Medication and behavior therapy, alone or in combination, are aspects of an overall therapeutic process that often begins with detoxification, followed by treatment and relapse prevention. Easing withdrawal symptoms can be detoxification, followed by treatment; preventing relapse is necessary for maintaining its effect. And sometimes, as with others chronic conditions, episodes of relapse may require a return to prior treatment components. A continuum of care that includes a customized treatment regimen, addressing all aspects of individual’s life including medical and mental health services, and follow-up options (e.g. community or family based recovery support systems) can be crucial to a person’s success in achieving and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS
Hotline Numbers:
National Drug and Alcohol Treatment referral Service: 1(800) 662-4357
The Council on alcohol and Drugs Houston: (281) 522-7811
The Council on Recovery: (713) 942-4100
Drug Rahabilitation Program:
PaRC Recovery Center Houston
School Disciplinary Sanctions:
It is the school policy to discourage all violations of Federal, State or local laws by any member of the school community. In addition to possible prosecution and punishment by civil authorities, a student or employee violating any law may be subject to sanction imposed by the school.
Student:
Sanctions against students include, but are not limited to disciplinary expulsion, suspension, and/or probation. When appropriate, school sanctions may be entered into permanent records. Parents of dependent students will be notified of pending charges or subsequent decisions.
Faculty:
Faculty who violate the school’s standard of conduct are subject to disciplinary action including reprimand, suspension, or dismissal.
Other Employees:
The school may impose sanctions against any employee who violates Federal, State or local laws, or the standards of school conduct. Depending on the nature and severity of violation, these sanctions can range from warnings and/or mandatory referral for drug or alcohol rehabilitation to outright termination of employment.