The Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations has established a Drug and Alcohol Free Awareness Program which encompasses the following four phases:

PHASE 1. Warning of the Dangers of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Drug and alcohol use impairs memory, alertness and achievement. It erodes the capacity to perform, think, and act responsibly. It may be grounds for termination of your enrollment with the institution or other legal action. SCHEDULE A specifically details the uses and effects as it relates to alcohol.

PHASE 2. Policy of Maintaining a Drug and Alcohol Free Learning Environment

All students and employees are hereby notified that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of illicit drugs and alcohol is prohibited in the institution’s learning environment. Any student or employee must notify the institution of any criminal drug and alcohol statute conviction for a violation occurring in the learning environment no later than five days after such conviction. In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the institution’s “workplace” consists of the following locations:Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, 5154 Okeechobee Boulevard, Suite 201, West Palm Beach, Florida 33417, or, any teaching site, or any “off-site” location (i.e., field trips, chemical applications, job placement, luncheons, meetings, etc.) Where the activities are in any way related to the institution.

PHASE 3. Listing of the Available Local Drug Counseling, Rehabilitation and Assistance Programs
Please refer to SCHEDULE B.

PHASE 4. Non-compliance with the Terms of this institution’s Drug-free Workplace Statement
Non-compliance will result in the following action being taken by this institution:

1. The student or employee would be required to actively participate in a drug or alcohol abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved by Federal, State, or local health, law enforcement or other appropriate agency. Attached SCHEDULE C contains a description of the applicable legal sanctions under local, State, and Federal law for unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
2. Community service with one of the above state agencies.
3. Termination of enrollment/employment.

SCHEDULE A – ALCOHOL USES AND EFFECTS

Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low consumption significantly impairs the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increases the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse. Moderate to high dose of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects just described. Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.

Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk of becoming alcoholics.

SCHEDULE B – DRUG COUNSELING, REHABILITATION, AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

1. Comprehensive Alcoholism Rehabilitation Programs, Inc. (CARP), 5400 East Avenue, P.O. Box 2507, West Palm Beach, Florida 33402, 561-844-6400.
2. Growing Together, Inc., 1000 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida 33460, 561-585-0892.
3. Alcoholics Anonymous, Southern Palm Beach County – 561-276-4581, HOTLINE: 1-800-407-5299.
4. Narcotics Anonymous, Southern Palm Beach County – 561-393-0303, HELPLINE: 561-848-6262.
5. 45th Street Mental Health Center, 1041 45th Street, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407, 561-848-5000.
6. Drug Abuse Treatment Association, (DATA), Outpatient Services, 1720 East Tiffany Drive, Suite 102, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407, 561-844-3556.
7. Crisis Line – 530-1234
8. Teen Hotline – 930-8336
9. Elder Helpline – 930-5040

SCHEDULE C – FEDERAL PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
21 U.S.C. 844(a)

1. 1st conviction: Up to 1 year imprisonment and fined at least $1,000 but not more than $100,000, or both.
2. After 1 prior drug conviction: At least 15 days in prison, not to exceed 2 years and fined at least $2,500 but not more than $250,000, or both.
3. After 2 or more prior drug convictions: At least 90 days in prison, not to exceed 3 years and fined at least $5,000
4. Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: Mandatory at least 5 years in prison, not to exceed 20 years and fined up to $250,000, or both, if:
   1. 1st conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceed 5 grams.
   2. 2nd crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams.
   3. 3rd or subsequent crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 1 gram.

21 U.S.C. 853 (A)(2) and 881(A)(7)Forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or facilitate possession of a controlled substance if that offense is punishable by more than 1 year imprisonment. (See Special Sentencing Provisions regarding crack.)

21 U.S.C. 861(A)(4)Forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance.

21 U.S.C. 844aCivil fine up to $10,000 (pending adoption of final regulations.)

21 U.S.C. 853aDenial of Federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses, up to 1 year for the first offense, up to 5 years for second and subsequent offenses.

18 U.S.C. 922(g)Ineligible to receive or purchase a firearm.

MISCELLANEOUSRevocation of certain Federal licenses and benefits, e.g. pilots licenses, public housing tenancy, etc., are vested within the authorities of individual Federal agencies. NOTE: These are only Federal penalties and sanctions. Additional State penalties and sanctions may apply.

STUDENT NOTIFICATION – POLICY FOR A DRUG FREE SCHOOL

I understand that as a student at the Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, am aware of the dangers of drug abuse in school and that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance, any other substance considered a drug, is prohibited in association with the school, and that termination will result for anyone violating such prohibition.

I, furthermore, understand that I must agree to notify my school of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring no later than five (5) days after such a conviction and, I hereby am aware that in such instance, action will include my termination from the Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations.

I also realize that in order to be reconsidered for acceptance at the Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, subsequent to such a conviction, I must prove to have satisfactory participated in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such a purpose by the Intervention Project for Nurses.