BMCC Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

The Drug Free Schools and Campuses Regulations (34 CFR Part 86) of the Drug-Free Schools and
Communities Act (DFSCA) require an institution of higher education (IHE) such as Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) to certify it has implemented programs to prevent the abuse of alcohol and use or distribution of illicit drugs by students and employees on its premises and as a part of any of its activities. The College is committed to maintaining a drug-free institution to create a safe and healthy learning and work environment and to assist its students and employees who may have problems with drugs or alcohol. In compliance with the DFSCA, the College provides information to its community covering the following areas:

• Standards of conduct related to drugs and alcohol for students and employees

• Disciplinary and legal sanctions for students and employees in violation of policy

• Description of the health risks associated with illicit drug use and alcohol abuse

• Description of drug and alcohol programs that are available to students and employees

College Policy/Standards of Conduct

The College prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances and alcohol by employees, students, and visitors on College premises or as part of any College activity. Areas where the use is prohibited include: student campus activities, classrooms, school parking lots, roadways, leisure activity areas, and all offices or work areas considered college property.

Reference Documents:

• Drug and Alcohol-Free College Administrative Procedure #03-2006-0003
• Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Blue Mountain Classified Association Contract
• Blue Mountain Faculty Association Contract
• Exempt Technical Employee Handbook
• Student Code of Conduct - Student Handbook

Report:

• DAAPP Review and Biennial Report 15-17

Workplace Policy:

In compliance with federal regulations Blue Mountain Community College has taken steps to ensure a drug-free workplace. Should an employee be convicted of a violation occurring in the workplace, under any criminal drug statue violation, will be subject to disciplinary action. Employees convicted of any criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace must notify the employer no later than five days after the conviction. Those employees that wish to seek help for drug or alcohol related problems are encouraged to access benefits through the College’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or contact the Human Resources office to seek referral assistance. Please reference the Drug and Alcohol-Free College administrative procedure for more information.

Disciplinary Sanctions

College Sanctions

The College responds to alcohol abuse and illegal drug activity by employees or students on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with its Drug and Alcohol-Free College administrative procedure. Details of each case are taken into consideration along with the outcome of any legal action against the individual. In addition to any penalties under federal, state, or local laws, employees and students found to be in violation of this administrative procedure may be subject to disciplinary sanctions consistent with employment contracts or BMCC Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions imposed by the College can range from a warning or disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or expulsion from school. Other potential sanctions may include referral for prosecution and may require participation in approved drug and/or alcohol abuse assistance or rehabilitation programs. Additionally, as required by law, the College will report to a federal agency any employee convicted of violating a criminal drug statue if the employee is involved in work supported by that federal agency.

State of Oregon Sanctions

Alcohol

Minor in Possession: Any attempt to purchase or be in possession of alcohol by a person under 21 years is a class B violation. Penalties set forth in ORS 471.430

For the purposes of the Oregon Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants statutes, for a person under 21 years of age, any amount of alcohol in the blood constitutes being under the influence of intoxicating liquor (class A misdemeanor).

Marijuana

Note: Due to changes in state laws regarding Marijuana, this information is currently under review and will be updated upon confirmation of updated information.

Delivery for consideration (selling, dealing, or bartering): Class B felony Delivery not for consideration (less than one ounce): Class A misdemeanor Delivery not for consideration (less than 5 grams): Violation

Unlawful possession (less than one ounce): Violation

Unlawful possession (more than one ounce): Class B felony

Controlled Substances

In Oregon, penalties for possession and distribution are determined by the Controlled Substance Schedule on which the drug appears. Examples from the drug schedules appear below. (Note: Most drugs appear on the same federal and state schedule).

Schedule I: Heroin, LSD, Ecstasy, Peyote, Mescaline, Psilocybin

Manufacture or distribution: Class B felony
Unlawful possession: Class A felony

Schedule II: Opium, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, PCP Manufacture or Distribution: Class B felony

Unlawful possession: Class C felony

Schedule III: Depressants, Vicodin, Anabolic Steroids, Codeine, Testosterone

Manufacture or distribution: Class C felony
Unlawful possession: Class A misdemeanor

Schedule IV: Valium, Xanax, Phenobarbital Manufacture or distribution: Class B felony Unlawful possession: Class C misdemeanor

Schedule V: Other less dangerous prescription drugs/small amounts of some drugs

Manufacture or distribution: Class C misdemeanor
Unlawful possession: Violation

For more information on State Laws and Sanctions, please refer directly to Oregon ORS PDF475.752 –
475.935: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors475.html

Federal Sanctions

The federal system establishes sanctions for possession and distribution of a controlled substance, based on the schedule of the drug and the amount involved. In addition, the statutory sanctions for possession and distribution are subject to the “Sentencing Guidelines for U.S. Courts.” Imposition of the guidelines may lead to higher offense levels and, thus, stricter penalties than otherwise indicated. Courts must make adjustments in the offense level for victim-related considerations, the defendant’s role in the offense, multiple counts, obstruction, and acceptance of responsibility. The guidelines establish sentences for each offense based on the defendant’s criminal history. Federal penal sanctions range from manufacture, distribution, or trafficking of large amounts of heroin, cocaine, PCP, methamphetamine, Schedule I and II hallucinogens, marijuana, hashish, or any of their derivatives (30 years to life, regardless of the defendant’s criminal history) to possession of any Schedule III-V drug if the defendant has the lowest level of criminal history (0-4 months).
Further, if serious injury or death results from the crime, minimums of up to 10 years (serious injury) and 20 years (death) plus a fine of up to $4 million may be added. These penalties may be doubled for defendants with past felony drug convictions. Finally, penal sanctions in the federal system are “real time” with reductions in sentences only for good behavior.

For a more detailed list of offenses and sanctions please visit, https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/21usc/index.html, Part D: Offenses and Penalties

Health Risks

Substance abuse may result in a wide array of serious health and behavioral problems. Alcohol and drugs are toxic to the human body. In addition to the problem of toxicity, contaminant poisonings often occur with illegal drug use. HIV infection with intravenous drug use is a prevalent hazard. Acute health problems may include heart attack, stroke, and sudden death, which can occur for first time cocaine users. Long lasting effects caused by drug and alcohol abuse can cause problems such as disruption of normal heart rhythm, high blood pressure, leaks of blood vessels in the brain, bleeding and destruction of brain cells, possible memory loss, infertility, impotency, immune system impairment, kidney failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and pulmonary damage. Drug use during pregnancy may result in fetal damage and birth defects causing hyperactivity, neurological abnormalities, and developmental difficulties.

Additional health risks can include:

For more information on the effects of specific substances visit, https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/factsheets.shtml and/or https://www.samhsa.gov/atod

Drug and Alcohol Assistance and Resources

Prevention

In order to prevent drug and alcohol abuse, it is important to stay informed. Click on the links below to learn more about preventing substance abuse and warning signs that you or someone you know may have a problem. If you think you may have a problem, take one of the screenings below and talk to a professional about your concerns. Local and national resources are listed below.

• https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention
• https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs-charts - lists common drugs, health risks and effects and prevention information
• https://www.recoveryconnection.com/prevent-drug-addiction/
• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/drug-abuse-and-addiction.htm

Screening Resources:

• www.Drugscreening.org
• www.Alcoholscreening.org

Students needing assistance for drug and alcohol related concerns are encouraged to consult with the BMCC Student Health and Resources Center located at the Pendleton campus or other trusted professional about their needs and possible referrals to agencies, counselors or programs in the community. Individuals may also directly contact one of the local or national resources listed below.

Employees may seek assistance directly through the College’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), consulting with Human Resources, supervisor, union representative and/or through their medical insurance plans, whichever is applicable and according to the employee’s status. Requests for assistance are encouraged and will not be considered singularly as grounds for dismissal. Such requests will not, however, excuse violation of this policy or other conduct related to drug or alcohol abuse.

Local Resources

National Resources/Helplines/Websites

Notification and Biennial Review

Annually, each fall term employees and students are made aware of BMCC’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program via email. This email includes links to the BMCC webpage outlining the policy with additional links to reference documents, resources, prevention information, etc. Each fall term, information is provided in BMCC’s quarterly mailer that is delivered to all mail posts in its service district. In addition, new staff and faculty are informed of the program during their New Employee Orientation. Students are sent
program information via email at the beginning of each term and additional information is provided in BMCC’s
mandatory New Student Orientation.

Blue Mountain Community College acknowledges its legal obligation to conduct a biennial review of compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to determine the effectiveness of the policy and implement any needed updates/changes. The Vice President of Administrative Services, Director of Human Resources, Vice President of Student Affairs or designee, Wellness Committee, and Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) are responsible for conducting the review and reporting on findings. This team will review for both compliance and effectiveness annually:

• BMCC Drug and Alcohol-Free College administrative procedure and examples of other college’s similar policies
• Related current local, state, and federal mandates
• Findings and recommendations from prior biennial report
• Student Rights and Responsibilities, Student Code of Conduct, and Student Handbook and related policies related to drug and alcohol use and the sanctions imposed for failure to comply
• Related employee rights and responsibilities
• Resources available to students and employees regarding drug and alcohol abuse
• Frequency and types of incident reports resulting in violation of BMCC’s drug and alcohol
• Administrative procedure

For more information about BMCC’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program, please contact:

Vice President of Student Affairs – (541) 278-5796, Located in Morrow Hall, Pendleton Campus
Director of Human Resources – (541) 278-5958, Located in Morrow Hall, Pendleton Campus
Student Health and Wellness Resources Center – (541) 278-5965, Located in Morrow Hall, Pendleton Campus