Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Georgia Piedmont Technical College is committed to maintaining an alcohol- and drug-free campus and workplace. All students, employees, and members of the college community share responsibility for supporting a safe, healthy, and productive learning environment.

GPTC complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the State of Georgia’s Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990, and all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Standards of Conduct

Students

No student may engage in the unlawful manufacture, possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol while on Georgia Piedmont Technical College property or while participating in any college-sponsored activity.

This policy has been developed in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and incorporates the requirements of the State of Georgia’s Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990.

Employees

The Technical College System of Georgia is committed to providing a working and learning environment that supports employee productivity and the safety and security of all employees, students, contractors, volunteers, and visitors.

All TCSG worksites, including Georgia Piedmont Technical College campuses and facilities, are drug-free in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Drug-Free Public Work Force Act of 1990, and applicable state law.

Counseling, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Services

Georgia Piedmont Technical College provides resources and referral information for students, faculty, and staff who may be experiencing problems related to drug or alcohol abuse.

Students may obtain information or referrals from Student Support Services.

Student Support Contact Information:
Phone: 404-297-9522 ext. 5399

Assistance Resources

The following organizations and resources may provide assistance related to substance abuse, addiction recovery, crisis intervention, and mental health support.

Resource	Contact Information
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)	www.aa.org
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)	www.na.org
Al-Anon Family Groups	888-425-2666
SAMHSA National Helpline	800-662-4357
Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL)	800-715-4225
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline	Call or text 988

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Policy

This policy has been developed in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, which requires institutions of higher education receiving federal funds to adopt and implement a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students.

This policy also incorporates the requirements of the State of Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990, O.C.G.A. § 20-1-20 et seq.

No student may engage in the unlawful manufacture, possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol on Georgia Piedmont Technical College property or as part of any college-sponsored activity.

Disciplinary Action

Unlawful activity involving illicit drugs or alcohol may be considered grounds for serious disciplinary action, including expulsion.

Students convicted of a felony offense involving alcohol, marijuana, controlled substances, or other illegal or dangerous drugs may be subject to immediate suspension and denial of further state and/or federal funds from the date of conviction.

In the case of a drug-related offense, the student shall minimally be suspended for the remainder of the semester and forfeit all academic credit for that period.

Georgia Piedmont Technical College shall notify the appropriate state or federal funding agency within 10 days after receiving notice of a student’s conviction.

Within 30 days of notification of conviction, Georgia Piedmont Technical College shall:

Take additional appropriate action against the student, up to and including expulsion, as deemed necessary.
Provide the student with information about available drug or alcohol counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, or re-entry programs offered by federal, state, local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agencies.

Drug-Free Awareness Program

Georgia Piedmont Technical College is responsible for developing and implementing a drug-free awareness program to inform students about:

The dangers of drug and alcohol abuse on campus and elsewhere.
Available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation, and assistance programs.
Penalties that may be imposed for drug and alcohol abuse violations occurring on campus.