Alcohol and Drug Misuse

Drug misuse is the use of natural and synthetic chemical substances for non-medical reasons to affect your body, mind, and behavior. When drugs are misused, their use can cause health problems, social difficulties, and legal problems. When a person engages in drug misuse, they risk:

OVERDOSE (possibly death)

DEPENDENCE (substance use disorder with painful psychological and/or physical results)

ILL HEALTH (organ damage, mental illness, hepatitis, AIDS)

SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES (financial difficulties, inability to relate normally to others, and legal problems leading to imprisonment)

Commonly Misused
There are six classifications of types of drugs that are commonly misused and are by law controlled substances: stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, narcotics, cannabis, and deliriants.
There are two additional drugs which are controlled by law in a different way from above: alcohol and nicotine. The misuse of these two drugs has a massive ill effect on individuals and society.

Controlled Substances
STIMULANTS (“uppers”)
Amphetamines (Dexedrine, Desoxyn, Biphetamine), Nicotine (in tobacco), Cocaine (“coke”, “snow”, “flake”, “rock”, “crack”).

DEPRESSANTS

Barbiturates (Phenobarbital, Seconal, Amytal), Tranquilizers, (Valium, Equanil, Librium), Methaqualone (Quaalude, Somnafac, Parest, Mequin), Alcohol (beer, wine, other distilled alcoholic beverages).

HALLUCINOGENS
Lysergic Acid Diethylamine (LSD acid), Phencyclidine, (PCP, angel dust), Mescaline, MDA, DMT, STP, Psilocybin

NARCOTICS
Heroin, Morphine, Opium, Codeine, Meperidine, Methadone

CANNABIS
Marijuana, Hashish, Hashish Oil, Edibles

DELIRIANTS
Aerosol products, lighter fluid, paint thinner, Amyl nitrite, other inhalants.

Actions & Penalties
Appropriate action and/or penalties will be imposed against employees and students found to have violated College-prescribed standards of conduct up to and including termination of employment or enrollment. Actions and/or penalties may include participation in a drug counseling or rehabilitation service; however, Weatherford College does not assume responsibility for the cost.

Penalties under Federal Law and the Texas Penal Code range from a Class B misdemeanor (maximum of 1 yr. and/or $1000 fine) to a First-Degree Felony (maximum of 15 to 99 years and/or $250,000 fine). The penalty assessed upon conviction is determined by several considerations including the controlled substance involved, the amount, and the circumstance of unlawful manufacture, delivery, distribution, possession, and/or use.

WC Alcohol and Drug Policy
The use of intoxicating beverages shall be prohibited in classroom buildings, laboratories, auditoriums, library buildings, museums, faculty and administrative offices, intercollegiate and intramural athletic facilities, and all other public campus areas; provided, however, that with the prior consent of the Board, the provisions herein may be waived with respect to any specific affair that is sponsored by the institution. State law shall be strictly enforced at all times on all property controlled by the District regarding the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

No student shall possess, use, transmit, or attempt to possess, use, or transmit or be under the influence of (legal intoxication not required), any of the following substances on school premises during any school term or off school premises at a school-sponsored activity, function, or event:

Any controlled substance or dangerous drug as defined by law, including but not limited to marijuana, any narcotic drug, hallucinogen, stimulant, depressant, amphetamine, or barbiturate.
Alcohol or any alcoholic beverage.
Any abusable glue, aerosol paint, or any other volatile chemical substance for inhalation.
Any other intoxicant, or mood-changing, mind-altering, or behavior-altering drugs.

The transmittal, sale, or attempted sale of what is represented to be any of the above-listed substances is also prohibited under this policy.

A student who uses a drug authorized by a licensed physician through a prescription specifically for that student’s use shall not be considered to have violated this rule.

Students who violate this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Such disciplinary action may include referral to drug and alcohol counseling or rehabilitation programs or student assistance programs, suspension, expulsion, and referral to appropriate law enforcement officials for prosecution.

Each student taking one or more classes for any type of academic credit except for continuing education units shall have access to the District’s policy prohibiting the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol, a description of the applicable legal sanctions under local, state, or federal law, and a description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol.

Policy Statement
In accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-690, Sec. 5153 and 34 CJR 85.630) and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (P.L. 101-226, Sec. 1213 and 34 CFR 86), it is the policy of Weatherford College to maintain a drug-free educational institution and workplace. Therefore, Weatherford College prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or other unlawful use of alcohol and/or a controlled substance (as that term is defined in Texas and federal law) in the workplace, on its property, or at any of its activities.

Compliance with the policy of prohibition is a requirement for employment and enrollment at Weatherford College

Sources of Help

Aimee Schwartz-Jarrett, MS, LPC
Professional Counselor
Office - Coyote Care Center (LART Building, Lower Level)
(817) 598-6245
aschwartzjarrett@wc.edu

Doug Jefferson, M.Ed., CRT,
Dean, Student Development
Office of Student Development and Wellness
Doss Student Center
(817) 598-6247
djefferson@wc.edu

Coyote Clinic
Lower-Level of LART
(817) 598-8898
coyoteclinic@wc.edu

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), 24 Hour Hotline, 817-332-3533 or Support Group, 817-598-9021

Al-Anon/Al-ATeen Meeting Information Line, 800-356-9966

The Bunk House, 817-598-1335

The Center of Hope, 817-594-0266

Serenity Foundation of Texas-Serenity House (24 hr hotline), 866-795-4673

Weatherford Area Alcoholics Anonymous 502 East Oak St Weatherford, TX 76086, 817-598-9021

Weatherford College does not recommend or promote any service or source of help over another. Those listed here are for convenience only. Additional sources of help may be obtained by contacting the college counselors.

Symptoms:

Alcohol poisoning signs and symptoms include:

Confusion
Vomiting
Seizures
Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute)
Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
Low body temperature (hypothermia)
Passing out (unconsciousness) and can’t be awakened

It is not necessary to experience all these signs and symptoms before seeking help. An individual who is unconscious or can’t be awakened is at risk of dying.

Source: Alcohol Poisoning by Mayo Clinic

The Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

If you suspect that someone has alcohol poisoning, even if you don’t see the classic signs and symptoms, seek immediate medical care. In an emergency, follow these suggestions

If the person is unconscious, breathing less than eight times a minute or has repeated, uncontrolled vomiting, call 911 immediately. Keep in mind that even when someone is unconscious or has stopped drinking, alcohol continues to be released into the bloodstream and the level of alcohol in the body continues to rise. Never assume that a person will “sleep off” alcohol poisoning.
If the person is conscious, call 800-222-1222 (in the U.S.) and you’ll automatically be routed to your local poison control center. The staff at the poison control center or emergency call center can instruct you as to whether you should take the person directly to a hospital. All calls to poison control centers are confidential.
Be prepared to provide information. If you know, be sure to tell the hospital or emergency personnel the kind and amount of alcohol the person drank and when. Don’t leave an unconscious person alone. While waiting for help, don’t try to make the person vomit.
Alcohol poisoning affects the way your gag reflex works. That means someone with alcohol poisoning may choke on his or her own vomit or accidentally inhale (aspirate) vomit into the lungs which could cause a fatal lung injury.
SOURCES FOR HEALTH INFORMATION

Texas Department of Health (URL: http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (URL: http://www.cdc.gov)
National AIDS Hotline (toll-free): Phone: 800-342-AIDS
STD Hotline (toll-free): Phone: 800-227-8922

Health and Safety

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