Drug & Alcohol Prevention Program for Students and Employees
The Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program was designed to educate students and employees about alcohol and drug abuse in an effort to encourage responsible decisions around their use as well as provide resources for those who have experienced the consequences around alcohol and drugs. The College uses a three-pronged approach to the program that incorporates education, promoting awareness, and active engagement through hands-on learning activities, both on-campus and in virtual environments.
We aim to:
- Support students and employees who are in recovery from substance abuse and addiction
- Encourage constructive lifestyles and norms that discourage abuse of alcohol and drugs
- Develop an environment that facilitates alcohol and drug abuse-free lifestyles
Activities Prohibited by Tulsa Community College
Tulsa Community College prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace, on College property, or as part of College-sponsored activities. Provided, however, the use of alcohol may be permitted by the College at "College-sponsored" or College authorized activities as approved by the Senior Vice President, Chief Academic Officer, the Vice President for Administration and Chief Operating Officer, and with the collaboration of TCC Police.
Health Risks
Serious health risks associated with the use of drugs or the abuse of alcohol include, but are not limited to:
- addiction to or dependency upon the substance
- memory loss
- liver failure
- kidney failure
- cancer of the kidney or liver
- personal injuries while under the influence
- infectious diseases including AIDS (if needles or other delivery devices are shared)
- a lowered immune system
- heart damage
- loss of ability to concentrate or reason
- personality changes
- hallucinations
- delusions
- depression
- inability to sleep or to remain awake
- loss of judgment
- death
The use of drugs or alcohol before or during pregnancy can lead to birth defects or death for the children involved.
The following information on health risks is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the SUNY Student Conduct Institute’s Complying with the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations (DFSCR) guidance:
Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States, and marijuana use may have a wide range of health effects on the body and brain. Additionally, MDMA—or more commonly known as Molly—and misuse of Prescription Opioids continue to be of concern for health and law-enforcement officials, nationwide.
Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assaults
Even more alarming is the increase in drug-facilitated sexual assaults. Drug-facilitated sexual assault occurs when drugs are used to compromise an individual’s ability to consent to sexual activity. Rohypnol®, GHB, or Ketamine are the three drugs that are commonly utilized in these attacks. While GHB and Ketamine are legal when used as prescribed and under strict medical supervision, they pose specific dangers that all students and employees should be aware of, particularly in social settings.
Rohypnol® is known for its strong sedation effects and offenders may dissolve the drug in a person’s drink without their knowledge. Ketamine is another dissociative drug that can cause the user to feel detached from reality. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a depressant approved for use in the treatment of narcolepsy, a disorder that can cause daytime “sleep attacks.” For additional information see Drug Types.
If an individual believes they or a friend have consumed Rohypnol®, GHB, or Ketamine they should visit a local healthcare facility that can care for survivors of sexual assault and provide a forensic exam. While receiving care the individual who has ingested the drug can request the hospital to take a urine sample for drug toxicology testing. If the individual cannot immediately go to a hospital, they should save their urine in a clean, sealable container as soon as possible, and place it in the refrigerator or freezer for future toxicology testing.
More information is available at NIH NIDA: Commonly Used Drugs Charts, SUNY: Complying with the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations (DFSCR), and DEA: Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault.
Counseling, Prevention, and Educational Programs
The following counseling, prevention, and educational programs are available to students and employees:
- Students may obtain educational literature with respect to alcohol and drug abuse from Student Life and Wellness Services. Students needing assistance on a voluntary basis are encouraged to contact the Dean of Student Success and Campus Operations or Wellness Services at wellness@tulsacc.edu. Students may also be referred for assistance by their instructor, advisor, the Director of Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator, or the Dean of Student Success and Campus Operations. Anyone referred for assistance should reach out to make an appointment with the Dean of Student Success and Campus Operations office.
- Employees also may obtain educational literature with respect to alcohol and drug abuse from the Human Resources department. Additionally, other services such as counseling, online courses, webinars, and articles are available to employees and members of their immediate family through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as well. Employees needing assistance on a voluntary basis may contact the EAP directly by calling 1-800-327-2251. Supervisors interested in referring employees for assistance may contact the Human Resources department or provide the employee with the EAP contact information directly. Any assistance provided is confidential unless it is being mandated as part of a performance improvement plan (PIP) and may include referral to outside services.
- Employees and students may also contact COPES at 918-744-4800. Community Outreach Psychiatric Emergency Services, a free and confidential 24/7 telephone crisis line and mobile crisis service, provides emotional support for children and adults in suicidal crises or emotional distress.
- The College provides various Drug and Alcohol Awareness Programs to employees and students each year. Human Resources, Academic Affairs, and Student Success and Equity collaborate to provide educational programming throughout the academic year.
Legal Sanctions
BR.06.D – Drug and Alcohol-Free Environment, 2020–21 Board of Regents Policy Manual
The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of drugs or alcohol in the workplace, on College property, or as part of College-sponsored activities is strictly prohibited. Provided, however, the use of alcohol may be permitted by the College at College-sponsored or College-authorized activities as approved by the Vice President and Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, and the Vice President for Administration. Students or employees who violate this policy are subject to both the institution’s sanctions and to criminal sanctions provided by federal, state, and local law.
EH.13.F – Drug and Alcohol-Free Environment, 2021–22 Employee Handbook
Tulsa Community College is a drug and alcohol-free workplace. All TCC employees are prohibited from unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, using, or being under the influence of a controlled substance or alcohol during scheduled work hours; while operating a state vehicle; on state property; or at the employee’s workplace. All TCC employees are also prohibited from soliciting prescription medication from employees, vendors, or customers.
EH.13.G – Drug and Alcohol Testing, 2021–22 Employee Handbook
All TCC employees are subject to testing for alcohol or drug use in the workplace. TCC may require an employee to submit to an alcohol or drug test for cause or following an accident in the workplace. TCC may require an employee to submit to post-accident alcohol or drug testing if the employee or another person is injured in the workplace or if property or equipment has been damaged in the workplace. 40 O.S. § 557. Employees in a safety-sensitive position may fall under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for alcohol and drug testing, specifically Controlled Substance Testing (49 CFR § 391.81 et seq.), Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug Testing Programs (49 CFR § 40.1 et seq.), and other applicable federal statutes and regulations. These employees will be tested according to U.S. DOT regulations.
EH.13.H – Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program, 2021–22 Employee Handbook
Employees are encouraged to voluntarily seek treatment for alcohol or drug dependency. Evaluation and assessment services performed by the Employee Assistance Program are free and confidential. The EAP can also provide referrals to appropriate resources. Successful completion of a voluntary rehabilitation or treatment program will in no way jeopardize an employee's job opportunities at TCC. However, seeking assistance from the EAP or a treatment or rehabilitation program will not protect an employee from disciplinary action for violation of this policy.
Internal Sanctions
The College will impose disciplinary sanctions on students and employees who unlawfully manufacture, distribute, possess or use illegal drugs or alcohol in the workplace, on College property, or as part of a College-sponsored event. Violations of these standards of conduct can result in referral for a criminal prosecution, a requirement of satisfactory completion of an appropriate drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, suspension or expulsion from the College, and disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment. A criminal conviction is not required for sanctions to be imposed upon a student or employee for violation of this policy.
External Sanctions
Local, state, and federal laws provide for a variety of legal sanctions for the unlawful possession and distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. These sanctions include but are not limited to, incarceration and monetary fines.
Federal law provides rather severe penalties for distributing or dispensing, or possessing with the intent to distribute or dispense, a controlled substance, and penalties of a less severe nature for simple possession of a controlled substance. The type and quantity of the drug, whether the convicted person has any prior convictions, and whether death or previous injury resulted from the use of the drug in question.
For example, possession of 100–999 grams mixture of Heroin is involved and it is your first offense, you are subject to not less than 5 years, and not more than 40 yrs. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 or more than life. Fine of not more than $2 million if an individual, $5 million if not an individual. If between 1kg or more mixture and it is your first offense, you are subject to not less than 10 years, and not more than life. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 or more than life. Fine of not more than $4 million if an individual, $10 million if not an individual. Two or more offenses may have harsher penalties including up to Life imprisonment.
According to the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, any person who violates any provision of this section by transporting with intent to distribute or dispense, distributing or possessing with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance to a person, or violation of subsection G of this section, in or on, or within 2,000 feet of the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school, public vocational school, public or private college or university, or other institution of higher education, recreation center or public park, including state parks and recreation areas, public housing project, or child care facility as defined by Section 402 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a first offense, or by the imposition of a fine or by both, not exceeding twice that authorized by the appropriate provision of this section and for a second or subsequent violation of this section, a term of imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections, or by the imposition of a fine or by both, not exceeding thrice that authorized by the appropriate provision of this section. Convictions for second and subsequent violations of the provisions of this section shall not be subject to statutory provisions of suspended sentences, deferred sentences, or probation. Section 2-401 of Title 63.
Enforcement
The College will impose disciplinary sanctions on students and employees who unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use drugs or alcohol in the workplace, on College property, or as part of a College-sponsored event. Violations of these standards of conduct may result in referral for a criminal prosecution, a requirement of satisfactory completion of an appropriate drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, warning, probation, loss of privileges, fines, restitution, discretionary sanctions, college program/service probation, college program/service suspension, suspension, or expulsion and disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment. A criminal conviction is not required for sanctions to be imposed upon a student or employee for violation of this policy.
Employees are required to notify their supervisor of a criminal conviction for a drug-related offense no later than five calendar days following the conviction.
Employees have the responsibility to refrain from performing sensitive safety functions while a prohibited drug or alcohol is in their system.
Information related to the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program is distributed annually to employees and students; is available online through MyTCC; included in the student and employee handbooks; and is available for review in the following offices: Student Life, Dean of Student Success and Campus Operations, Human Resources, and Campus Police.