Drug and Alcohol Policies

Section I

Philosophy

Rocky Mountain College recognizes the problems of alcohol abuse as they occur on a societal scale today. The abuse of alcohol, particularly on college campuses, is epidemic.

Rocky Mountain College neither encourages nor condemns the use of alcoholic beverages. Rather, the College acknowledges the right of individuals of legal drinking age either to abstain or to use alcohol responsibly.

Rocky Mountain College believes the key to successful control of alcohol abuse lies in education, providing healthy alternatives, and supporting and promoting healthy lifestyles. To this end, the College is committed to:

1. Providing students and employees with the most current information available regarding alcohol and alcohol use;
2. Developing and implementing alcohol-free social programming; and
3. Encouraging and supporting those students and employees who choose to abstain from the use of alcohol.

The chemical health of any individual, group, family, or team is dependent on society's ability to establish standards for chemical use. The College believes the following standards represent healthy attitudes toward the use of alcohol.

1. The use of alcohol is a personal choice. No one should be pressured to drink, not to drink, or to feel uneasy or embarrassed when abstaining, regardless of their personal choice.
2. Alcohol is not essential for the enjoyment of family, social events, or celebrations.
3. Drinking should not be an activity for its own sake, but can be an adjunct to other activities.
4. The use of alcohol at luncheons or meetings during working hours or the class day is unhealthy.
5. Excessive drinking that leads to intoxication is not healthy, safe, or socially acceptable.
6. Intoxication should not be laughed at or taken lightly, but should be considered irresponsible behavior and indicative of possible personal problems that need treatment.
7. Everyone who chooses to use alcohol should know his or her limits of moderation.

It is the responsibility of Rocky Mountain College to provide an atmosphere that promotes healthy alternatives, supports the standards set forth in this document and allows for individual choice either to abstain from or to use alcohol responsibly. 

Section II

Alcohol Policy 

Consumption of alcoholic beverages at Rocky Mountain College, or an RMC sponsored event, is strictly prohibited except:

1. For those events approved to serve alcohol by the appropriate division or department head (contact the dean of students for details regarding approval procedures);
2. For students twenty-one (21) years of age or older, in the privacy of their residence hall rooms. NOTE: Regardless of age, alcohol is strictly prohibited in Anderson, Rimview, and Widenhouse Halls.

In compliance with Montana state law, no one under the age of twenty-one (21) shall be allowed to consume or possess alcoholic beverages on campus. Further, minors are reminded that Montana state law forbids the possession and/or consumption of alcohol within the state. Violations of state alcohol laws will be referred to city authorities for possible prosecution.

Advertisements promoting alcohol or alcohol-related products is prohibited on campus. Rocky Mountain College's name and/or logo shall not appear in conjunction or co-sponsorship with the name of any alcoholic product or distributor without written approval of the President's Council.

Section III

Drug Policy 

It is unlawful and prohibited to manufacture, distribue, dispense, possess, or use a controlled substance at Rocky Mountain College.

As a condition of employment at Rocky Mountain College, all employees will:

• Abide by the terms of this statement; and
• Notify the personnel office of any violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such a violation.

Section IV

Policy Enforcement

Violations of the Rocky Mountain College alcohol and drug policy will be treated on an individual basis; however, violators can expect one or more of the following sanctions to be enforced:

• Conduct hearing with a college official or supervisor;
• Restitution for any damages caused as a result of the alcohol/drug policy violation;
• Assignment of appropriate disciplinary work;
• Students or employees may be required to participate in an approved alcohol/drug rehabilitation program;
• Students violating the College alcohol/drug policy may be placed on disciplinary probation, suspended, or expelled from the College:
• Employees violating the College alcohol/drug policy may be placed on disciplinary probation or terminated from employment.

Please note, in addition to the possible consequences outlined above, federal regulations mandate that colleges and universities adopt the following policies:

• If a student is convicted of possession or sale of drugs that occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV aid he/she can be disqualified for federal student aid (FSA) funds. The chart below illustrates the period of ineligibility for FSA funds, depending on whether the conviction was for sale or possession and whether the student had previous offenses. (A conviction for sale of drugs includes convictions for conspiring to sell drugs.) If the student was convicted of both possessing and selling illegal drugs and the periods of ineligibility are different, the student will be ineligible for the longer period.

 

• Students denied eligibility for an indefinite period can regain it after successfully completing a rehabilitation program (as described below), passing two unannounced drug tests from such a program, or if a conviction is reversed, set aside, or removed from the student's record so that fewer than two convictions for sale or three convictions for possession remain on the record. In such cases, the nature and dates of the remaining convictions will determine when the student regains eligibility. It is the student's responsibility to certify to the school that he/she has successfully completed the rehabilitation program.
  • A qualified drug rehabilitation program must include at least two unannounced drug tests and must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
    • Be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a federal, state, or local government program;
    • Be qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a federally- or state-licensed insurance company;
    • Be administered or recognized by a federal, state, or local government agency or court; or
    • Be administered or recognized by a federally- or state-licensed hospital, health clinic, or medical doctor.
  • Drug convictions HEA Section 484(r) 34 CFR 668.40

Section V

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a disease that is best recognized as uncontrollable drinking of alcohol. An alcoholic is dependent on alcohol both mentally and physically. Young people sometimes risk a greater chance of becoming alcoholics because their bodies are still developing.

An alcoholic jeopardizes his/her health and safety, job, loved ones, self-esteem, and life. Alcoholism is also an economic problem; billions of dollars are lost annually because of crimes, accidents, and health costs.

Alcoholism affects people of all socio-economic classes, races, ages, and both sexes.

Some long-term health problems of alcoholism include:

• Liver damage - damage includes cancer of the liver and scarring of the liver (cirrhosis);
• Heart disease - the heart becomes enlarged;
• Ulcers - the stomach lining becomes inflamed due to the amount of alcohol consumed;
• Malnutrition - when alcoholics begin to replace food with alcohol, the alcohol robs the body of the important vitamins it needs. It also interferes with digestion;
• Delirium tremens - when alcohol is removed from an alcoholic's body system, he or she can become disoriented and hallucinations can occur;
• Cancer - alcohol can cause cancer of the mouth, stomach, and esophagus;
• Damage to a developing fetus - if a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy, she is risking damage to the development of the fetus.

People drink for many different reasons including: to relieve tension, as a substitute, to compensate for perceived inadequacies, and/or for social and cultural acceptance. Heredity and physiological factors may also play a role in determining why certain people become addicted to alcohol.

Some symptoms of alcoholism include:

• Drinking alone;
• Missing work or school;
• Hiding drinking;
• Losing drive to succeed;
• Drinking to relieve stress and fear;
• Becoming moody or grumpy while not drinking;
• Internal stress lessened by drinking.

Alcoholism is a progressive disease, identified by four stages or drinking:

1. Early Stages - makes promises to quit, but cannot and has trouble stopping at one drink.
2. Middle Stages - denies drinking, may drink in the morning and the "good feeling" is hard to find.
3. Later Stages - avoids people, loses will, neglects responsibilities, and often has the "shakes."
4. Final Stages - loses everything, but cannot quit drinking.

Alcoholism is a treatable illness, no matter what stage the alcoholic has reached.

Section VI

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is using chemical substances for non-medical reasons. Drugs affect the body, the mind, and an individual's behavior. The effects differ from person to person.

There are many reasons for drug abuse, including:

• Peer pressure - young adults do not want to be different than their friends;
• Rebellion - drug abuse goes against their parent's standards;
• Curiosity - users want to see how it will affect them;
• Escape - drugs let users temporarily forget about immediate problems;
• Self-esteem - drugs help users feel better about themselves;
• Energy;
• To feel creative;
• Craving - after prolonged abuse, the body depends on drug use.

Commonly misused drugs include:

• Narcotics
• Opium - Dovers Powder
• Morphine - MS-Contin
• Codeine - Tylenol with Codeine
• Heroin - Horse, Smack
• Depressants
• Chloral Hydrate - Noctec
• Barbiturates - Amytal
• Benzodiazepines - Ativan
• Methaqualone - Quaalude
• Stimulants
• Cocaine - Coke, Flake, Snow, Crack
• Amphetamines- Biphetamine
• Phenmetrazine - Prelude
• Hallucinogens
• LSD - Acid, Microdot
• Mescaline & Peyote - Mexc, Buttons
• Amphetamine Variants - 2, 5-DMA
• Cannabis
• Marijuana - Pot, Grass, Reefer
• Tetrahydrocannabinol - THC
• Hashish - Hash
• Deliriants
• Aerosol
• Lighter Fluid
• Paint Thinner

Drug users risk any of the following:

• Overdose - overdose occurs when an uncertain purity or type of drug is purchased. After a while, the user needs more to reach a high, so they begin experimenting with different amounts.
• Dependence - lengthy use can cause a psychological or physical need for the user.
• Ill health - continued use slowly destroys the body and mind. Mental illness, malnutrition, AIDS, and hepatitis are just some of the physical and mental problems that can occur.
• Accidents - drugs give the user false bravery and confidence to try things that they wouldn't do when not using. An example is trying to fly or driving as fast as possible.

Drug abuse can also cause some of the following problems:

• Legal problems - users may accumulate jail time, a police record, and legal fees.
• Economic problems - drugs are expensive and a habitual drug user may spend thousands of dollars a year to support his or her habit.
• Personal problems - loss of closeness to friends and family can occur when the user decides that he or she needs drugs more than people. Often the user begins to withdraw from others.

Section VII

Sources of Help

Help is available at anytime to anyone who suspects he or she might be chemically dependent as well as to families of alcohol and drug abusers. Listed here are sources within the region.

RMC Campus Counselor
Cynthia Hutchinson, MS, LPC
Tyler Hall - 406.657.1049

Alcoholics Anonymous
3318 3rd Ave. North
Billings, MT 59101
406.657.0776 

Alcoholics Anonymous
1801 Broadwater
Billings, MT 59102
406.657.3999

There are approximately 120 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings each week in the Billings area for anyone who is interested. See the Billings Gazette for times and places.

Chemical Dependency Center
3302 4th Ave. North
Billings, MT 59102
406.248.7099 

Rimrock Foundation
1231 N. 29th St.
Billings, MT 59101
406.248.3175

Assistance Programs and Counseling
1242 N. 28th St.
Billings, MT 59101
406.245.1112

Family Support Services
104 N. Broadway
Billings, MT 59101
406.252.7510

Cedar Mountain Center
707 Sheridan Ave.
Cody, WY 82414
307.578.2421

Rocky Mountain Treatment Centers
920 4th Ave. N.
Great Falls, MT 59407
800.521.6572

St. Patrick Hospital
P.O. Box 4587
Missoula, MT 59801

Section VIII

Medical Marijuana

Although Montana state law permits the use of medical marijuana, i.e., use by persons possessing lawfully issued medical marijuana cards, federal laws prohibit marijuana use, possession, and/or cultivation at educational institutions and on the premises of other recipients of federal funds. The use, possession, or cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes is therefore not allowed in any Rocky Mountain College residence hall or on any other Rocky Mountain College property; nor is it allowed at any College sponsored event or activity off-campus.