Alcohol and Drug Policy

AVTEC maintains a Zero Tolerance Alcohol and Drug Policy; corrective actions will be applied to all policy violations regardless of extenuating circumstances. Student safety and a safe learning environment are top priorities and essential to AVTEC’s mission. Violations that pose a risk to student safety, are egregious in nature, or involve a serious offense may result in immediate action, including eviction from student housing and/or dismissal from training.

Purpose: AVTEC is committed to providing a safe and healthy training environment for all students, faculty, and staff. This policy outlines expectations and consequences related to the use, possession, being under the influence, distribution, or sale of alcohol and/or drugs, in support of that commitment.

Scope: This policy applies to all students, residents of student housing, and visitors while on AVTEC premises, in AVTEC buildings and facilities, or participating in AVTEC-sponsored activities, including off-campus events.

Definition: For this policy, Alcohol and Drugs refers to all mood altering substances that change the function of the nervous system and result in alterations of perception, mood, cognition, and behavior. This includes legal and illegal substances.

• Prescribed Medications: Any student taking a medication, as prescribed by the student’s physician, which may adversely affect that student’s ability to perform work in a safe or productive manner, is required to notify his/her/their instructor or department head. This includes drugs known to possibly affect judgment, coordination, any of the senses, or cause drowsiness or dizziness. To maintain privacy, the student is not required to disclose the name of the medication or reason for taking it.

Prohibited Activities:

• Use, Possession, and being Under the Influence: The proven use, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol, legal or illegal drugs, or medications taken in a way other than as prescribed by the student’s physician is strictly prohibited on AVTEC premises or at AVTEC-related activities. This includes possession of containers and paraphernalia used in conjunction with alcohol or drugs. Suspected use may result in AVTEC investigating further.
• Distribution and Sale: The proven or suspected distribution, sale, or intent to distribute or sell legal or illegal drugs, prescription medications, or alcohol is strictly prohibited on AVTEC premises and during AVTEC-related activities.

Reporting, Corrective Actions, Consequences:

• For the safety of students and staff, any person who becomes aware of a violation of this policy should make a report with an AVTEC Supervisor/Department Head as soon as possible.
• Those in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary actions including, but not limited to: Written Warning, Probation, Release from student employment, Eviction from student housing, and/or Dismissal from training.
• Those in violation of state, federal, or local laws may face additional legal consequences. Legal authorities will be informed when a violation of the law has or is suspected to have occurred. This includes, but is not limited to, proven or suspected use of illegal substances, public intoxication, underage consumption, and/or furnishing to a minor.

Support and Education:
AVTEC recognizes that substance misuse may be linked to mental and physical health challenges. Students are encouraged to reach out to an AVTEC counselor for support and guidance. They can assist with navigating AVTEC policies, understanding available resources, and making referrals to qualified professionals for clinical services or treatment. Students who violate this policy and remain enrolled may be provided with educational materials or resources designed to promote awareness and address the behaviors that lead to the policy violation. This support is offered as part of AVTEC’s commitment to student development and campus safety and may accompany any disciplinary actions deemed appropriate.

Health Risks of Alcohol and/or Drug Use:
Alcohol and/or drug use may cause a multitude of medical, mental, or social complications that may be short-lived or long term. It is important to understand that using mood altering substances may lead to health risks including, but not limited to, those listed below:

Alcohol: Unintended injury, self-harm, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, cancer, mental health issues, alcohol poisoning and possible death.
Drugs: Asthma, increased risk of HIV, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, paranoia, increased aggression, nausea, constipation, coma, brain damage, liver and/or kidney disease, heart infection, weight loss, severe dental problems, hallucinations, and possible death.

Health Resources in the Seward area:

• Seward Community Health Center: 417 First Avenue, Seward.
  Phone: (907) 224-2273
• Providence Seward Medical Center: 417 First Avenue, Seward.
  Phone: (907) 224-5205
• Chugachmiut Regional Health Center: 2035 Seward Highway, Seward.
  Phone: (907) 224-3490
• SeaView Community Services: 302 Railway Ave, Seward.
  Phone: (907) 224-5257
  24-hour crisis line: 907-224-3027

Compliance and Amendments:

• State and Federal Laws: This policy is in compliance with Alaska state laws and federal regulations regarding alcohol and drug use.
• The “Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Campus and Workplace” framework combines two primary federal laws: the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989. Together, they require institutions and federal contractors receiving federal funds to prohibit illicit drugs and alcohol abuse on premises and maintain prevention programs.
• AVTEC reserves the right to amend or update this policy as needed, and all changes will be communicated to the AVTEC community including current students, faculty, and staff.

Alaska State Statutes, Consequences, and Illicit Conduct:

Alcohol - Statutes	Consequences	Conduct/Offense
Possession, control, or consumption by persons under 21 years of age.	Offense: Fines up to $500 and an alcohol safety action program	A person under 21 years of age who knowingly consumes, possesses, or controls an alcoholic beverage commits the offense of minor consuming or in possession or control.
Furnishing or delivery of alcohol to persons under the age of 21	Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $25,000	A person may not furnish or deliver an alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21 years.
Operating a Vehicle, While Under the Influence	Minimum of 72 hours in jail and fines no less than $1,500 (first offense).	A person commits driving while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, inhalant, or controlled substance, including driving a motor vehicle or operating an aircraft or a watercraft.

Cannabis - Statutes	Consequences	Conduct/Offense
Public consumption	Fines up to $100	It is unlawful to consume marijuana in public.
Personal use of Marijuana, under 21	Misdemeanor Class B: Fines up to $2000	A person under 21 years old possessing, using, displaying, purchasing, or transporting marijuana.

Controlled Substance - Statutes	Consequences	Conduct/Offense
First-degree Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance	Unclassified Felony: 5-99 years in prison and fines up to $500,000	Delivers a schedule IA, IIA, or IIIA controlled substance to a person under 19 who is at least 3 years younger; engages in a continuing criminal enterprise; or delivers a schedule IA, IIA, IIIA, or IVA controlled substance to a person who is mentally incapable, incapacitated, or unaware that a controlled substance is being delivered.
Second-degree Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance	Class A Felony: Up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000	Manufactures or delivers any amount of a schedule IA controlled substance, or possesses it with intent to manufacture or deliver; or engages in specified conduct involving the manufacture of methamphetamine, its immediate precursors, or listed chemicals.
Third-degree Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance	Class B Felony: Up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $100,000	Delivers a schedule IVA, VA, or VIA controlled substance to a person under 19 who is at least 3 years younger; possesses a schedule IA or IIA controlled substance on or near school grounds, a recreation or youth center, or on a school bus under specified circumstances; or manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to manufacture or deliver a schedule IIA or IIIA controlled substance under circumstances not otherwise prohibited as second-degree misconduct.
Fourth-degree Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance	Class C Felony: Up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $50,000	Manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to manufacture or deliver a schedule IVA or VA controlled substance; manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to manufacture or deliver one ounce or more of a schedule VIA controlled substance; possesses certain schedule IA substances; possesses a schedule IIIA, IVA, VA, or VIA controlled substance on or near school grounds, a recreation or youth center, or on a school bus under specified circumstances; or commits certain other felony controlled-substance offenses specified by law.
Fifth-degree Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance	Class A Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in prison and fines up to $25,000	Manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to manufacture or deliver less than one ounce of a schedule VIA controlled substance; under circumstances not otherwise prohibited, possesses any amount of a schedule IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, or VA controlled substance or one ounce or more of a schedule VIA controlled substance; or fails to maintain records required by controlled-substance law.
Sixth-degree Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance	Class B Misdemeanor: Up to 90 days in prison and fines up to $2,000	Except as otherwise authorized by law, uses or displays any amount of a schedule VIA controlled substance, possesses less than one ounce of a schedule VIA controlled substance, or refuses entry for an inspection authorized under AS 17.30.

*Controlled Substances: a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by a government.