Williamson College of the Trades’ Alcohol and Drug Policy Introduction

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Williamson College of the Trades teaches safety-sensitive trade programs. To ensure a safe and healthy educational environment for all students, faculty, and staff members, the college maintains an alcohol-free and drug-free campus. The health and legal risks associated with alcohol or drug use are outlined within the Student Handbook, and our college website in compliance with federal law. Counseling and support services are available for any student who seeks them. This policy is consistent with industry standards (which have drug-free policies in the workplace) and is recommended by industry.

Statement of Zero Tolerance: Alcohol Use

Williamson College of the Trades complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989. In order to promote its fundamental mission safely, the college has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for consumption, distribution, or possession of alcohol by any student regardless of age, on campus or while attending any school sponsored event. Students under the influence of alcohol on campus, or while attending any school sponsored event, are considered to be in violation of this policy. Students violating this policy will face disciplinary sanctions up to and including possible dismissal. Students 21 years of age and older, in alignment with federal and state law, may consume alcohol off campus. However, the college reserves to right to assign disciplinary sanctions, up to and including possible dismissal for violations of local, state, or federal laws associated with the use or distribution of alcohol (e.g., driving under the influence, public intoxication, providing alcohol to an underaged individual, etc.). The consumption, possession, or distribution of alcohol by an underaged student is a violation of state and federal law. Students violating this policy off campus will face disciplinary sanctions up to and including possible dismissal. Alternative sanctions may include disciplinary probation and restrictions, attendance in an alcohol rehabilitation program, and periodic testing.

Alcohol Testing Policy

The college reserves the right to require an alcohol test from a student where there is a reasonable suspicion that the college’s zero tolerance policy has been violated. Failure to submit to an alcohol test is a violation of the college’s disciplinary policy and may result in dismissal. A breathalyzer test is typically used by the college with a reading of .02 or higher considered as proof of alcohol use. Students who are selected will be tested immediately or as soon as possible following notification. A student who admits to alcohol use after being informed of the test will still be tested. Any attempt by the student to tamper with or invalidate a testing sample will be considered a failed test.

Statement of Zero Tolerance: Illegal Drug Use

Williamson College of the Trades complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989. In order to promote its fundamental mission safely, the college has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for the use, possession, distribution, or manufacture of illicit or illegal drugs. The college will not tolerate any use, possession, distribution, or manufacture of illicit or illegal drugs by any student on campus, off campus, or while attending any school sponsored event. Students violating this policy will face disciplinary sanctions up to and including possible dismissal. Alternative sanctions may include disciplinary probation and restrictions, attendance in a drug rehabilitation program and periodic drug testing. Student conduct that violates local, state, or federal laws, whether or not it results in the arrest and/or conviction of the student (for example driving under the influence, public intoxication, vandalism, etc.) associated with the use, possession, distribution, or manufacture of illicit or illegal drugs will be included by the college in the assessment of disciplinary sanctions. Finally, Williamson considers any synthetic form of an illegal drug, regardless of its current legal status, to be an illegal drug and will be treated as such in alignment with this policy.

Drug Testing Policy

The college reserves the right to require a drug test from a student where there is a reasonable suspicion that the college’s zero tolerance policy has been violated. Williamson also conducts periodic random drug testing of its student body. A urine test is typically used by the college, although a hair follicle test may be administered on a case-by-case basis as warranted or requested by the student. Failure to submit to a drug test is a violation of the college’s disciplinary policy and may result in dismissal. Students who are selected will be tested immediately or as soon as possible following notification. A student who admits to drug use after being informed of the test will still be tested. Any attempt by the student to tamper with or invalidate a testing sample will be considered a failed test.

Under Pennsylvania State law, if an individual is under 21 and possesses a fake ID or falsifies an ID card to misrepresent his age, or purchase, attempt to purchase, use, or transport alcoholic beverages, he will lose his driver’s license on the first conviction.

  • First offense - 90-day mandatory suspension
  • Second Offense - 1-year suspension
  • Third Offense – 2-year suspension

Individuals found guilty will pay a fine of up to $500. Parents will be notified and, if the courts stipulate, the individual will be required to complete an alcohol education or counseling program. Moreover, it is unlawful for any person to sell, furnish, or give any liquor, or permit any liquor, to be sold, furnished, or given to any person visibly intoxicated or to any minors (persons less than 21 years of age). Violation carries a minimum $1,000 fine for the first offense and a $2,500 fine for second and further offenses. Maximum penalty: $2,500 and one-year imprisonment.

Federal and state law forbids the sale, manufacture, possession, or consumption of illegal drugs or narcotics, such as cocaine, barbiturates, hallucinogens, or other illegal, addictive substances. The sale, use, possession, or manufacture of such illegal substances is strictly forbidden. The sale, use, or possession of drug paraphernalia such as rolling papers, bongs, pipes, and the like are also forbidden on campus. Infraction of these laws constitutes a major violation of campus policy.

A violation of Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug Device, and Cosmetic Act calls for widely varying penalties depending on the nature of the offense (e.g., sale versus possession), the type of drug involved, the quantity of drugs involved and whether the individual’s offense is a first, second, third, or subsequent offense. A violation of the several federal statutes governing the sale and possession of drugs also calls for widely varying penalties.

Federal law makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture, distribute, create, or dispense or possess with the intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances. Title 21 of United States Code provides terms of imprisonment and fines for violations of this Act. The nature of the offense and whether the person has committed any previous unlawful acts under the statute will determine the term of imprisonment as well as the amount of any fine.

Health Risks Associated with the Use of Illicit or Illegal Drugs or Alcohol

Medical studies indicate that users of illicit or illegal drugs or alcohol can suffer from a wide range of medical and psychological problems. Those problems can be as mild as depression or as severe as permanent brain damage, or death. At the very least, use of these substances can impair one’s ability to learn and function in society. This promotes poor application to academics as shown by poor study habits, lack of concentration, and loss of self-esteem. Additional information on the health risks associated with the use of alcohol and illicit or illegal drugs is available through the campus health clinic, or online through the college’s website, or the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery (https://hecaod.osu.edu/).