Text Only

VSU Directory

Select a VSU Department Academic Affairs Access Office Accounting and Finance Admissions Adult & Career Education Adult Degree and Military Programs Advancement Services Advancement, University African American Studies Air Force ROTC Alcohol & Other Drug Education Alumni Relations Anthropology Program Art Arts & Sciences, College of Arts, College of the Astronomy Athletics Auxiliary Services Biology BlazeFM: WVVS (90.9 FM) BlazeNet Board of Regents Bookstore Bursary (Tuition Cost & Fee    Payment) Business Admin. Grad Programs Business Admin., Langdale College    of Business Services Campus Activities Board Campus Alert System Campus Recreation Campus Wellness CampusConnect Career Services Catalogs, Undergraduate &    Graduate Center for Applied Research Center for Business and Economic    Research Center for Economic Education Chemistry Commencement Communication Arts Communication Disorders Communications Unit Conflict Resolution Continuing Education Cooperative Education Council of Department Heads Council on Staff Affairs Counseling Center Crime Stats Criminal Justice Curriculum & Instructional    Technology Curriculum, Leadership, and    Technology Department Dance Deaf Education Dean of Students Debate Team Dining Services Disability Services Distance Learning Early Childhood & Special    Education eCore Education, College of Educational Leadership Employee and Organizational    Development Employee Self Service Login Engineering Studies Engineering Transfer to Georgia    Tech (RETP) English English Language Institute Enterprise Application Services Environmental and Occupational    Safety Environmental Geosciences Environmental Issues Committee European Council Evening Program Event Services Faculty Research Grants Faculty Scholarship Faculty Senate Finance and Administration Financial Aid Financial Services Freshman Learning Communities Freshmen Year Experience General Studies Geosciences Governor's Honors Program Graduate School Graduation Grants & Contracts Greek Life HallNet Health Promotions Health Services Helpdesk, Information Technology History Honors Program Hotline Housing & Residence Life HUB Learning Cooperative Human Resources Information Technology Institutional Planning Committee Institutional Review Board for the    Protection of Human    Subjects Internal Audits International Programs International Students Journalism Kinesiology & Physical    Education Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base Leadership Programs Legal Affairs Management Marketing & Economics Marriage & Family Therapy Mass Media Master of Library & Info    Science Master of Social Work Program Mathematics & Computer Science Media Center Middle Grades Education Modern & Classical Languages Music Native American Studies Network Services Nursing, College of OASIS Odum Library Off-Campus Credit Program Info Office of Social Equity One Card Services Organization & Mission Orientation Parent Resource Center Parking & Transportation Peach State Summer Theatre Perspectives Philosophy and Religious Studies Physics Planned Giving Planning and Budget Council Plant Operations Police Department Policies Political Science President's Office Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Psychology & Counseling Public Administration Public Services Publication and Design Services Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Reading Education Records Policy Registrar Religious Studies SACS Accreditation Satellite Services Science Seminar Secondary Education Small Business Development Center Social Work, Division of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminal    Justice South Georgia College Entry Program Special Education Spectator Speech Communication Sponsored Programs & Research    Administration Strategic Research & Analysis Student Affairs Student Conduct Office Student Development Organization Student Employment Student Government Association Student Handbook Student Life Student Organizations Student Success Center Student Union Tech Shop Telecommunications Testing Theatre Training and Development Undergraduate Research Council University Advancement University Assessment Committee University System of Georgia Upward Bound Valdosta Educators Credit Union Vending Services Veteran's Affairs Video Production Services Volunteer Services VSU Foundation VSU TV VSU TV Live WebCT Wireless Internet for VSU Women's and Gender Studies WVVS 90.9

Prospective Students | Current Students | Faculty & Staff | Alumni & Friends | Parents & Visitors | Portals

Home > Administrative Offices > Finance and Administration > Human Resources & Employee Development > Employee Information > Drug Free Workplace Policy > Letter to Employees on Drug Policy

Human Resources & Employee Development

Letter to Employees on Drug Policy

August 10, 2006

Dear Valdosta State University Employee,

The Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations (DFSCR), Part 86, requires that all Institutions of Higher Learning receiving federal funds certify they are in compliance with established standards of conduct and have a written policy addressing the issues of unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. The policy must also outline legal sanctions, health risks, available substance abuse programs, and disciplinary actions each student or employee is subject to. A copy of these standards must be distributed to each student and employee on an annual basis. Compliance with the DFSCR is documented in our Biennial Review and is subject to audit every two years.

Please take a few moments to review these policies and available resources. Questions or concerns regarding personal use of alcohol and/or drugs should be directed to the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Education (229) 259-5111. Human resource related questions should be forwarded to Human Resources and Employee Development (229) 333-5709.

Standards of Conduct: “Faculty, staff members, and student employees of Valdosta State University are expected to adhere to the policies of the institution, observe the basic rules of good conduct, and to meet appropriate standards of performance.” (excerpt from the Drug Free Work Place Policy letter signed by President Ronald M. Zaccari, dated March 1, 2002) “As an employee of Valdosta State University, you are hereby advised that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol on the college campus is prohibited and violations of this policy will result in appropriate disciplinary action, to include suspension or termination.” (excerpt from the New Faculty, Staff, and Student Employees letter signed by President Ronald M. Zaccari, undated)

Legal Sanctions: Federal legal sanctions and guidelines are addressed in Title 21, United States Code, Chapter 13, Subchapter 1, Part D, Sections 841 – 864. Penalties vary widely depending upon the substance, quantity possessed, and previous conviction history. Potential sentences range from loss of federal benefits, forfeiture of property, imprisonment, and fines.

The Official Code of Georgia, Sections 16-13-1, 16-13-2, 16-13-30, 16-13-31, and 16-13-32.6, outline state penalties for manufacturing, possessing, and distributing controlled substances. Sentences range from probation for misdemeanor possession of marijuana to a mandatory minimum term of 25 years and a fine of $1,000,000 for substantial quantities of cocaine.

Health Risks:  The abuse of alcohol and other drugs can impair an individual’s ability to perform at their highest level academically or in the workplace.  Short and long term heath issues may also result from misuse.  Following is a brief synopsis of the physical hazards associated with substances commonly used/abused in our society:

Substance             Physical Effect     Short Term/Moderate Use    Long Term/Heavy Use     

 Alcohol               Central Nervous     Loss of inhibition,                  Dependence

                             System (CNS)       judgment, reasoning              Tolerances

                             Depressant          Loss of coordination              Cirrhosis 

                                                      Unconsciousness                   Death

                                                      Blackouts

Sedatives            CNS Depressant      Reduced coordination            Dependence

                                                     Loss of body control              Amnesia

                                                     Passing out                           Personality changes

                                                     Stupor                                 Confusion

                                                     Depression

Stimulants          CNS Stimulant         Increased blood pressure        Paranoia 

                                                    Loss of appetite                     Convulsions

                                                    Restlessness                          Psychosis

                                                    Insomnia             

 Opiates              CSN Depressant      Hallucinations                        Coma

                                                     Disruption of menstrual          Dependence

                                                     cycle                                   Convulsions  

                                                     Lowered blood pressure         Depressed sex drive

                                                     Constipation                          Death

 Psychedelics      Hallucinations         Alteration of mental process   Anxiety

                                                     Distorted perceptions             Stupor

                                                     Confusion                              Panic

                                                     Vomiting                               Psychosis

Marijuana           Sedation/Euphoria   Distorted perception              Anxiety

                                                    Altered mental process            Panic

                                                     Increased heart rate                Dependence                                                         

                                                     Reduced short term memory 

Substance Abuse Programs:  Valdosta State University employs a full-time coordinator through the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Education to address substance abuse issues for students and employees.  Available resources include assessment, education, short term counseling, and referral.  The AOD coordinator, as well as Peer Education students, is available to address classes, student organizations, Resident Hall functions, and other campus and community events.  Organizations desiring prevention/awareness programs should call (229) 259-5111.  Other campus resources dealing with substance abuse issues include the Counseling Center, Health Services, Public Safety, Human Resources, and Judicial Affairs.  All services offered by VSU are free of charge.

Disciplinary Sanctions:  Students and employees unable or unwilling to comply with  established standards risk the following sanctions being imposed by Valdosta State University:

Students:  In addition to applicable legal consequences, students may face forfeiture of academic credit, financial aid eligibility, temporary or permanent suspension, and withdrawal of organizational recognition by the institution.  Counseling and education may also be mandated.  Further information regarding violations and sanctions may be reviewed in the Student Handbook Student Code of Conduct and the Judicial Affairs web-site (www.valdosta.edu/judicial/).    

Employees:  In addition to applicable legal consequences, discipline may include counseling, reprimand, suspension, demotion, or dismissal.  Employees with concern regarding their use of substances are encouraged to seek assistance prior to being identified via unacceptable legal or professional behavior.  Additional information may be found in the Classified Employee Handbook and Faculty Handbook.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter,

Human Resources and Employee Development

and the Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Education