Drug-Free Schools Policy Statement

The possession, sale or the furnishing of alcohol on the campus of Columbus Technical College is governed by school policy and Georgia state law. The possession, sale, manufacture or distribution of any controlled substance is illegal under both state and federal laws. Such laws are strictly enforced by the Columbus Technical College Police Department. Violators are subject to college disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, fine and imprisonment. It is a violation of the Columbus Technical College Alcohol Policy for anyone to consume or possess alcohol in any public or private area of campus without prior approval. Organizations or groups violating alcohol/substance policies or laws may be subject to sanctions by the College.


Drug-Free Policy*


*The Drug-Free Policy was approved by the State Board of Technical and Adult Education July, 1990.


 A.  Policy
  1. The Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 102-226) contains Section 22, Drug-Free Schools and Campuses, which was enacted to ensure that any institution of higher education that receives funds under any federal program has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol by students.
  2. No student may engage in the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on the College's property or as part of any of its sponsored activities. Such unlawful activity may be considered sufficient grounds for serious punitive action, including expulsion.
  3. If a student is convicted (including a plea of nolo contendere) of committing certain felony offenses involving any criminal drug and/or alcohol statute of any jurisdiction, regardless of whether the alleged violations occurred at the College or elsewhere, the student will be suspended immediately and denied state and/or federal financial aid funds from the date of conviction.
  4. The College shall notify the appropriate state/federal funding agency within 10 days after receiving notice of the conviction from the student or otherwise after receiving the actual notice of conviction.
  5. Within 30 days of notification of conviction, the College shall with respect to any student so convicted:
    • Take additional appropriate action against such student up to and including expulsion as it deems necessary.
    • Provide such student with a description of any drug or alcohol counseling treatment, or rehabilitation, or re-entry programs that are available for such purposes by a federal, state or local health, law enforcement or other appropriate agency.

B. Responsibility

  1. The College is responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of a drug-free awareness program to inform students of the following:
    • The dangers of drug and alcohol abuse on the campus and elsewhere.
    • Any available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation, and assistance programs.
    • Any penalties to be imposed upon students for drug and alcohol abuse violations occurring on the campus.

2. Each College shall conduct a biennial review of its program to determine its effectiveness and implement changes to the program if they are needed and to ensure that the sanctions required by the program are consistently enforced.