DRUG RULES OUTLINED IN HANDBOOK

Across the nation, people will observe Red Ribbon Week the last week
of October by wearing red ribbons and participating in drug-free
events such as runs, parades and rallies.

While OCCC isn't officially recognizing Red Ribbon Week this year,
the college does have policies regarding drug use. The 2006-2007
Student Handbook, page 42, outlines that policy. It reads, in part,
"Disciplinary actions will be taken against any student found to be
possessing, using, or distributing illicit drugs or alcohol on
College property or as part of any College activity."

Architecture and Constructive Science major Damian Comiskey supports
OCCC's policy.

"I agree with it," he said. "It's common sense that you know the
punishments by now ... that if you [have alcohol or drugs] in school
or in the workplace, it's going to be a hefty consequence. It's going
to be a negative consequence."

Safety and Security Director Ike Sloas said students in violation of
the college's policy could face arrest. However, he said, there are
other options, "depending upon the circumstances under which we come
across the violation ...," Sloas said.

Safety and Security officers also have the option of giving the
student a judicial referral, Sloas said. A judicial referral is
submitted to OCCC's Director of Student Relations so disciplinary
action in the form of suspension or expulsion can be administered.

Sloas said his officers follow a set of guidelines in every case.

"We'll generally bring them to our office to process them through and
we'll call the police department," he said.

"If the police department thinks they've got a good case or it's a
small amount [of drugs] ... we'll let them make that decision whether
or not they want to come out and make the arrest.

"Each circumstance is different. If you're in the parking lot and
you've got a pound [of marijuana] bagged up and you're selling it,
you're probably going to go to jail.

"Regardless, any amount [of marijuana] is illegal. Don't think,
'Well, I'm going to take a small amount to class because that way I
won't get in trouble.' We're going to call and if [the police come
out], you're subject to getting arrested."

There were three incidents of drug possession on campus in 2005 in
which only judicial referrals were issued, according to the OCCC
Safety and Security 2006 Clery Report.

One was a case in which a student left her purse in a campus
restroom, which was then turned in to Safety and Security.

During a routine documentation of the purse's contents, Sloas said, a
bag of marijuana was discovered inside the purse.

"It was kind of accidental the way [Safety and Security] came upon
it, so we drew up a referral," he said.

Sloas said Oklahoma City police were notified but declined to take a
report because of the circumstances by which the drugs were found.
Diversified Studies major Glen McClein has his own perspective.

"I would recommend a referral, not calling law enforcement," said
McClein. "I mean, everybody deserves a second chance. If they get
caught at a young enough age and get scared, it might set them straight."

OCCC has services and programs in place to assist students with any
questions or issues they might have concerning drug or alcohol abuse
or awareness.

"We will talk to the student and do what ... we can," said Student
Life and Development Dean Liz Largent.

"But, beyond that, we provide [students] with recourses that are
appropriate and wide-ranging, which would depend on the issue itself
and the severity of it."

Largent said drug use is typically a low-profile issue at OCCC
because the college doesn't have residence halls, Greek housing or
football games -- things typically associated with college alcohol
and drug usage.

Page 44 of the Student Handbook provides information as to how a
student can receive help for a substance abuse problem.

Students can visit with an Advising and Career Services counselor if
they are in a crisis situation or need a personal referral for
counseling, according to the handbook.

Also included in the handbook is a list of hotline phone numbers for
various alcohol and drug treatment facilities in the metro area.

Students wishing to obtain help with a substance abuse problem also
can pick up the "Learning About Your Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco-Free
College" brochure at the Information Center and Advising and Career Services.