Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Campus and Workplace
In accordance with federal law, Perry Technical Institute has adopted this Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Campus and Workplace Policy. Perry Technical Institute recognizes that students and employees have a right to a safe and secure campus and workplace and has implemented a drug and alcohol abuse prevention and assistance program. Furthermore, Perry Technical Institute recognizes that employers who hire students from its programs demand employees who are drug free. PTI has adopted this policy to encourage students to develop a healthy lifestyle and to ensure that graduates are able to meet the demands of employers.
Standards of Conduct Regarding Drugs and Alcohol
The unlawful manufacturing, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of any federally banned substance; prescribed medical drugs that were unlawfully obtained or are being unlawfully or abusively used; drug-related paraphernalia; or being under-the-influence of controlled substances are prohibited at Perry Technical Institute, in the workplace, on campus, while engaging in school business, and at any activities sponsored by Perry Technical Institute. Returning or arriving to school after consuming drugs or alcohol is prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal.
Any student who is taking a drug or medication, whether prescribed by the student’s physician, which may adversely affect that student’s ability to perform work in a safe or productive manner, is required to report such use of medication to his/her instructor or department head. This includes drugs known or advertised as possibly affecting judgment, coordination, or any of the senses, including those which may cause drowsiness or dizziness. A doctor, dentist, or druggist will determine whether the student can remain at school and whether any work restrictions are necessary. The instructor may request such assistance as he/she desires in making the determination.
Health Risks
Short-term and long-term effects of drug use vary for specific drugs, but the following nonexclusive list of health risks have been identified with the use and abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol: confusion, lack of coordination, memory loss, depression, fetal alcohol syndrome, problem pregnancies, sclerosis, circulatory problems, insomnia, heart failure, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, seizures, coma, anxiety, paranoia, irritability, fatigue, mental illness, and death.
Institute Sanctions
Perry Technical Institute will conduct drug and/or alcohol testing under any of the following circumstances:
Random Testing
Students may be selected at random for drug and/or alcohol testing at any interval determined by Perry Technical Institute. Any student who enrolls at Perry Technical Institute gives consent to random drug tests as an express condition of his or her enrollment and continued enrollment.
For-Cause Testing
Perry Technical Institute may ask a student to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test at any time it believes that the student may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including, but not limited to, the following circumstances: evidence of drugs or alcohol on or about the student’s person or in the student’s vicinity, unusual conduct on the student’s part that suggests impairment or influence of drugs or alcohol, negative performance patterns, or excessive and unexplained absenteeism or tardiness.
Post-Accident Testing
Any student involved in a training-related accident or injury under circumstances that suggest possible use or influence of drugs or alcohol in the accident or injury event will be asked to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test. “Involved in a training-related accident or injury” means not only the one who was or could have been injured, but also any student who potentially contributed to the accident or injury event in any way.
A student will be presumed under-the-influence upon any positive finding from a random drug test or reasonable cause drug test given under this policy. Drug testing will be by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) on Perry Technical Institute time and expense by a certified, creditable laboratory or medical facility prescribed by Perry Technical Institute. Random drug test collection will be conducted on the Perry Technical Institute campus with a minimal disruption to class time. Failure to take a drug test, producing a cold sample, producing a dilute test, or tampering with a test will result in a positive test result. A positive test result may result in the imposition of sanctions up to and including, but not limited to, suspension and/or dismissal. A student who has been deemed to be under-the-influence may not operate any vehicle on company property or a public roadway. If the student insists on driving, Perry Technical Institute administration will contact law enforcement and report the infraction.
If a student has violated the Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Campus and Workplace Policy, Perry Technical Institute may take any of the following actions:
- Disciplinary action including, but not limited to, suspension and/or dismissal, and/or
- Require the student to satisfactorily participate in drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purpose by federal, state, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency.
If the student is on a last chance agreement when the drug and alcohol policy is violated, the student will be dismissed.
Any student convicted of any criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace, during school hours, or while engaged in Perry Technical Institute business, must notify the president or dean of education no later than five days after such conviction.
Legal Sanctions
In addition to sanctions imposed by Perry Technical Institute, drug and/or alcohol violations may be referred to the appropriate external authorities. This may result in arrest and conviction under applicable criminal laws of the United States, the State of Washington, or local municipalities. Violations as specified above may result in penalties ranging from fines through imprisonment.
Available Assistance Treatment Programs
Alcoholism and drug dependency are defined as illnesses that may interfere with a student’s ability to perform assigned work satisfactorily or that adversely affect classroom behavior. Students are encouraged to voluntarily seek expert assistance for alcoholism, alcohol abuse, or drug dependency. Assistance is available through a variety of professional resources in the community.
Community resources include: