AY23 Academic Catalog/Handbook

Consequences of Use of Controlled Substances and Misuse of Alcohol

Consequences for Drivers with an Alcohol Concentration of 0.02 or Greater

The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages on OFTC premises, in OFTC owned/leased vehicles, or while engaging in any off-site instructional activity is prohibited. A student whose normal faculties are impaired due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, or whose blood alcohol level tests 0.02 or greater shall be guilty of violating procedure and will be dismissed from the CTD program. The student will be able to reapply to the program after one full semester. A student whose blood alcohol level tests 0.04 or greater must attend alcohol rehabilitation through a DOT-approved substance abuse professional (SAP) prior to reapplying to the program. The student is responsible for the cost of the rehabilitation. Documentation (signed by a substance abuse professional) must be submitted at the time of reapplication. A second violation of this procedure will result in permanent dismissal from the program.

Consequences of Use of Controlled Substances and Misuse of Alcohol

Failure to follow the procedures contained herein will result in dismissal from the program, program failure, and possible legal action. It is the procedure of Oconee Fall Line Technical College that any student who violates any of the provisions set forth in this procedure will also receive a course grade of “F” for the course(s) currently enrolled and of which a grade has not already been earned/recorded and a grade of “0” for work ethics.

Students/Drivers who do not pass a required DOT drug or alcohol test at any time will be entered into the TCSG database available to all TCSG colleges. The student/driver will remain in the database until such time as the SAP process has been completed. Starting January 6, 2020, all drug and alcohol violations will be entered into the US DOT Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Information can be found at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Re-Entry Contracts

Students who re-enter the Commercial Truck Driving program must agree to the following and be responsible for ensuring that all stipulations are met. That contract may include (but is not limited to):

  1. A release-to-work statement from the substance abuse professional (SAP).
  2. A negative test for alcohol/drugs.
  3. Unannounced frequent follow-up testing as required by the SAP.
  4. Follow specified after care requirements with the understanding that violation of the re-entry contract is grounds for dismissal.

Information Disclosure

OFTC shall release information regarding a covered student’s record as directed by specific, written consent from the student authorizing release of the information to an identified person.

A covered student is entitled, upon written request, to obtain copies of any record pertaining to his/her use of prohibited substances, including any records pertaining to his/her test results.

OFTC may disclose information that is required to be maintained to the decision maker in a lawsuit, grievance, or other proceeding initiated by or on behalf of the student tested without the student’s written permission.

When requested by the National Transportation Safety Board as part of an accident investigation, OFTC shall disclose information related to its administration of drug and alcohol tests following the accident investigation.

Records shall be made available to subsequent employers upon receipt of written request from the student.

OFTC shall disclose data for its drug and alcohol testing program and any other information pertaining to its anti-drug program, when requested by the Secretary of Transportation or any DOT agency with regulatory authority over OFTC.

Effects of Alcohol and Controlled Substances

Community resources are available to assist students who are experiencing problems with alcohol and/or other drugs. Information concerning the effects of alcohol and controlled substances use on an individual’s health, work, and personal life and the signs and symptoms of an alcohol or controlled substances problem is available from the Student Life Offices on either North or South Campuses at Oconee Fall Line Technical College.

Appeal Rights and Process

The DOT lab results are final. There is no student appeals process for positive drug testing results at OFTC. However, the student may request a split specimen test from the drug testing agency. The student is responsible for the cost.

School Contact

Should you have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact the following:

Ann Morton, Instructional Coordinator

Oconee Fall Line Technical College

560 Pinehill Road

Dublin, GA 31021

478-274-7840

amorton@oftc.edu