Herzing College Atlanta Campus Student Disclosure

Drug Free Campus Statement

In recognition of the problems associated with drug and alcohol abuse in society today, Herzing College is providing all students and employees with the following information:

The unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on college property or in connection with any college activity is strictly prohibited.  This prohibition applies to all students and all employees.  Violation of these provisions by a student may lead to the imposition of a disciplinary sanction, up to and including suspension or expulsion.  Herzing College employees are also subject to disciplinary sanctions for violation of these provisions occurring on university property or the worksite during work time, up to and including termination from employment.

The following legal sanctions are applicable for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol:

LOCAL & STATE

The laws of Georgia prohibit drug possession as outlined in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-13-30.  Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of controlled substances or marijuana; penalties

(A) Except as authorized by this article, it is unlawful for any person to purchase, possess, or have under his control any controlled substance.

(B) Except as authorized by this article, it is unlawful for any person to manufacture, deliver, distribute, dispense, administer, sell, or possess with intent to distribute any controlled substance.

(C) Except as otherwise provided, any person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section with respect to a controlled substance in Schedule I or a narcotic drug in Schedule II shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than 15 years. Upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, he shall be imprisoned for not less than five years nor more than 30 years.

(D) Except as otherwise provided, any person who violates subsection (b) of this Code section with respect to a controlled substance in Schedule I or Schedule II shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 30 years. Upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, he or she shall be imprisoned for not less than ten years nor more than 40 years or life imprisonment. The provisions of subsection (a) of Code Section 17-10-7 shall not apply to a sentence imposed for a second such offense; provided, however, that the remaining provisions of Code Section 17-10-7 shall apply for any subsequent offense.

(E) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section with respect to a controlled substance in Schedule II, other than a narcotic drug, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than 15 years. Upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, he shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 30 years.

(F) Reserved.

(G) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section with respect to a controlled substance in Schedule III, IV, or V shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years. Upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, he shall be imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than ten years.

(H) Any person who violates subsection (b) of this Code section with respect to a controlled substance in Schedule III, IV, or V shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years.

(I) Except as authorized by this article, it is unlawful for any person to possess, have under his control, manufacture, deliver, distribute, dispense, administer, purchase, sell, or possess with intent to distribute a counterfeit substance. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years.

(J)1. It is unlawful for any person to possess, have under his control, manufacture, deliver, distribute, dispense, administer, purchase, sell, or possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

 2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of Code Section 16-13-31 or in Code Section 16-13-2, any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years.

(K) It shall be unlawful for any person to hire, solicit, engage, or use an individual under the age of 17 years, in any manner, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing, on behalf of the solicitor, any controlled substance, counterfeit substance, or marijuana unless the manufacturing, distribution, or dispensing is otherwise allowed by law. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 20 years or by a fine not to exceed $20,000.00, or both.

 (L)1. Any person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section with respect to flunitrazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than 15 years. Upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, such person shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 30 years.

 2. Any person who violates subsection (b) of this Code section with respect to flunitrazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 30 years. Upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, such person shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten years nor more than 40 years or life imprisonment. The provisions of subsection (a) of Code Section 17-10-7 shall not apply to a sentence imposed for a second such offense, but that subsection and the remaining provisions of Code Section 17-10-7 shall apply for any subsequent offense

Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) § 16-13-30

ALCOHOL

The Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 3-3-21.1 provides:

(A) Except as provided in subsection (B) of this Code section, no person shall possess any alcoholic beverages upon the grounds or within any structure of a public school; or public trade, vocational, or industrial school.

(B) Subsection (A) of this Code section shall not apply to any situation where alcoholic beverages are used by a teacher for educational purposes nor to any situation where alcoholic beverages are used in a religious ceremony or observance.

Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) § 3-3-21.1

FEDERAL

Penalties for unlawful manufacturing, distribution and dispensing of controlled substances are provided under the Federal Controlled Substance Act.  The penalties are determined by the nature of the drug or other substance involved, and the number of offenses.  Under federal guidelines, courts can sentence a person up to six years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a controlled substance, including the distribution of a small amount (less than 250 grams) of marijuana; a sentence of life imprisonment can result from a conviction of possession of a controlled substance that results in death or bodily injury; and, possession of more than 5 grams of cocaine can trigger an intent to distribute penalty of 10-16 years in prison.

Other sanctions can include forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance, forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance, and denial of Federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses (up to one year for first offense, up to five years for second and subsequent offenses). 

HEALTH RISKS

There are various health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol.  Some of the more common problems are cited below:

Marijuana – Use can lead to an increase of heart rate of up to 50%, a sense of euphoria, acute anxiety and tremendous mood swings.  There is potential for long term physical and psychological damage.

Cocaine – Use can affect the brain in seconds and result in heart or respiratory failure.

Crack – Use can lead to an intense high within seconds, deep depression and intense dependency in a short time.

Amphetamines – Use increases heart and breathing rates, raises blood pressure while often causing blurred vision, dizziness, lack of sleep and anxiety.  Body chemistry is upset which can lead to long term physical problems.

Alcohol – Use can lead to a feeling of confidence and control.  With excessive use, liver, brain, heart and stomach destruction can occur without apparent symptoms.  Excessive use for a prolonged period of time can cause dependency and may be fatal.

The following chart provides a more comprehensive overview of the possible effects and effects of overdosing.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES – EFFECTS

Drug                                                                        Possible Effects                                  Effects of Overdose

Narcotics

Depressants

Stimulants

Hallucinogens

Cannabis