Purpose
Green River College views substance abuse as detracting from the health and productivity of the individual and the college community. The purpose of this policy is to promote education and awareness about alcohol and other drugs in multiple ways in order to reach a variety of needs in our college community members, improve attendance, increase retention, and to keep our college drug-free.

Overview 
Green River College (GRC) has a vital interest in maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive work and educational environment for its students, employees and the public. As such, GRC complies with the federal Drug Free Schools and
Communities Act, the Drug Free Schools and Campuses Regulations, the Drug Free Workplace Act, the Controlled Substances Act, and the drug and alcohol regulations mandated by the federal highway Administration of the US Department of Transportation, along with other applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. The possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs is not tolerated and shall be subject to discipline. Efforts to promote a drug-free environment have been infused in a variety of programs throughout the college. Additionally, marijuana use is illegal under federal law and permitting its use at Green River College would violate the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. If Green River fails to comply with that act, it could become ineligible for federal funding and financial aid programs for its students.

Scope
Green River College has infused the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) program with other campus programs, and each provides information, educational materials, and intervention options for employees and students, along with required work-place forms for employees, and including the enforcement the policy with employees and of the student code of conduct and corresponding disciplinary actions with students.

Definitions 
Alcohol: Any form or derivative of ethyl alcohol (ethanol), including but not limited to beer, wine, spirituous liquors
Controlled Substance: A controlled substance include those controlled substances list in schedules I through V of section 202 of the federal Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 812).

Impairment: To be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while in the workplace or performing work-related duties such that the person's motor senses (e.g. sight, hearing, balance, reaction, reflex) or judgment either are, or may reasonably be presumed to be affected.

Safety Considerations: These include, but are not limited to, activities involved in transportation, maintenance, safety, health, security or other responsibilities such as those operating equipment or machinery  


Policy 
Green River College is dedicated to providing quality education, and to achieve our mission, the College seeks to foster a healthy learning environment. Marijuana use and illicit drug use other substance abuse conflicts with this mission.
The college has a long-standing policy against drug use on campus and within the college community, and that policy did not change with Washington's adoption of Initiative in November 2012. The College does not allow the use of marijuana, whether on-campus or off-campus at college sponsored events or activities.

Green River College intends to provide a drug-free work environment. Each employee is expected to report to work in an appropriate mental physical condition to perform his/her assigned duties. Therefore, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance in and on Green River College owned and/or controlled property, or while conducting college business, is prohibited.

Employees
Violation of this policy by employees will result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with the Higher Education Personnel Board rules, bargaining unit agreements, tenure laws or other policies of the institution. Violation will be reason for discipline, up to and including termination of employment, or participation in evaluation treatment for a substance use disorder. Green River College recognizes drug use and/or dependency to be a health, safety and security problem. Employees needing assistance with problems related to drug or alcohol abuse are encouraged to
use the State Employee Assistance Program (1.877.313.4455 or www.hr.wa.gov/EAP) and/or employee medical insurance plans as appropriate. Conscientious efforts to seek such help will not jeopardize employment. Employees must, as a condition of working on any Green River College contract or grant, abide by the terms of this statement; and notify the employee's supervisor not later than five days after any conviction for a criminal drug statute violation that occurred in the workplace. 

Students
If a student violates this code, he or she is subject to disciplinary action through the college's judicial process or appropriate legal avenues.

Procedure 
A safe and productive drug-free campus and workplace is achieved through cooperation and shared responsibility. All individuals have important roles. 

Reporting
If an individual observes or believes an employee, contractor, student, visitor or volunteer may be under the influence or in violation of this policy, please report so immediately.

  • For employee-related concerns, contact a supervisor immediately. The supervisor should contact the Human Resources Department
  • For student-related concerns, contact one of the Deans of Student Affairs
  • For all other individuals, contact the Campus Safety Office.

Penalties and legal sanctions for violations
Green River College will impose penalties and sanctions against individuals who violate this policy.

Employees
It is a violation of this policy for any employee to jeopardize the operation of interests of the College through the unlawful manufacture, dispensation, possession, use, or distribution of any controlled substance, including illicit drugs, marijuana or alcohol. Sanctions for employees may include discipline up to and including termination of employment.

Students
Students found in violation shall be subject to sanctions or consequences in accordance with the Student Rules of Student Conduct.

Criminal Sanctions
Violations of this policy may also violate local, state and federal criminal law, and will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation which may result in separate penalties, such as monetary fines or imprisonment. Individuals concerned about specific circumstances should seek the advice of their personal attorney.

Notification Procedures
Green River College's Health Services Education Office provides overall coordination of the Drug-Free School Program. Various methods and programmatic options are infused in several areas in order to expand awareness of the risks of illicit drug use, including the use of marijuana.

On a quarterly basis, the Health Services Office will activate the protocol to send all current and new students an email providing them with the information about the use and abuse of Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD). 

On a quarterly basis, the Judicial Affairs Office will activate the protocol to send all current and new students an email providing them with information about the Student Code of Conduct and Discipline measures corresponding to infractions of use of drugs and alcohol at Green River College.

On an annual basis, the Human Resources Office will activate the protocol to send all current and new employees an email providing them with information about the Annual Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Notice including a brief summary of the information regarding health risks associated with the abuse of alcohol and the use of
illicit drugs.

The Health Services Office will collaborate annually and quarterly with Student Life, Judicial Affairs, Campus Safety, and Campus Corner Apartment Residential staffs to plan and conduct health and safety programming about substance use/abuse throughout the year.

Substance use/abuse is infused into other programs and protocols throughout the institution, thus these programs/services share the responsibility of promoting awareness and consequences of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) use on campus or at College sponsored activities and events. These include:

  • Alcohol and Drug Education: Health Services, Employee Assistance Program,
  • Counseling Services: Faculty Counseling, Employee Assistance Program, Referrals to Community counselors and resources
  • Referral Services: Employee Assistance Program, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Health Services
  • College Disciplinary Actions: Judicial Affairs Discipline process; Campus Corner Conduct Officer
  • Transitional Studies 101 Course and the College Health Course: Provides informational materials and community referral resources about substance abuse counseling, including anonymous 12-step programs scheduled in local communities 

Green River College's Human Resources requires that all personnel who are offered and accept employment need to sign to verify that they will abide by and comply with Drug Free Workplace stipulations.

Specific Authority
Drug-Free Workplace Act 
Title IV--21st Century Schools, Part A—Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-315—August 14, 2008)

  • This act requires institutions that both participate in any federal higher education programs and maintain on-campus housing to establish policy for reporting and categorizing crimes that are listed in the Jeanne Clery Disclosure and Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (The “Clery Act”). Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Programs for Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention (20 U.S.C. Section 1011), and the Hate Crimes Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. Section 534). This is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

Law Implemented

History of Policy or Procedure
Draft: May 11, 2016
Adopted: December 6, 2016
Revised:
Reviewed by:
Contact: Mark Brown, Director of Learning and Development Human Resources, mbrown@greenriver.edu
President's Staff Sponsor: Dr. Deborah Casey, Vice President of Student Affairs, ext. 3328