Academic Progress Standards | Graduation/Retention Rates | FERPA Rights | Financial Aid Verification |
Financial Aid Professional Judgement | Refunding Title IV Funds | Campus Safety & Security | Drug & Alcohol Abuse Policy |
STANDARDS OF SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
All students must meet minimum standards of academic achievement and successful course completion while enrolled at IOTM. A student’s progress will be evaluated at the end of each grading period to determine satisfactory progress. IOTM does not allow students to remain enrolled who are not meeting the standards of satisfactory progress.
Satisfactory progress is defined by the following criteria:
1. Maximum Time Frame and Successful Course Completion
A student must complete the entire program within one and a half times (150%) the program length. For example, if a program is scheduled to 48 weeks to complete, a student must complete the program within 72 weeks. A student who does not complete the entire program within the maximum time frame will be terminated from the program. If a student is on a leave for absence, the time during the leave will not be counted against his or her maximum time frame.
2. Minimum Academic Achievement and Attendance
Program scheduled for 48 weeks; maximum length 72 weeks (150%)
Program scheduled for 72 weeks; maximum length 108 weeks (150%)
Program scheduled for 96 weeks; maximum length 144 weeks (150%)
Academic Minimums –
• A student must achieve the minimum cumulative grade as stated in the chart relative to his or her program schedule at the completion of each grading period throughout the program.
• A student’s percentage grade will be calculated upon completion of each grading period to determine compliance with the guidelines.
• Failure to achieve the stated average for any grading period will result in the student being placed on academic probation for the next 12-week grading period.
• Students who do not achieve the stated average grade on or before the end of the probation period are subject to termination from the Institute of Therapeutic Massage. In this event, the student is responsible for payment of any remaining tuition balance pursuant to Section 7.
Academic Probation
A student with less than the minimum cumulative average at the completion of any grading period will be subject to academic probation for the next 12-week grading period.
While on academic probation, the student will be given academic advising and assistance by their advisor in order to improve his or her GPA. A plan will be developed to enable the individual student to meet the course/program requirements within a reasonable amount of time. The student will also be encouraged to audit the Study, Comprehension and Test Taking Skills course offered that grading period.
A student will be removed from academic probation if they achieve the stated cumulative average at the end of his or her probationary period. Should a student fail to achieve the cumulative average in the subsequent grading period following being placed on academic probation, they will be terminated from the program.
Academic Grading Policy:
Percentage Letter Grade Numerical Grade Comment
100% - 92% A 4.0 Excellent performance
91% - 84% B 3.0 Above average performance
83% - 75% C 2.0 Average entry-level performance
74% - 65% D 1.0 Below average performance
64% - 0% F 0.0 Failing/Unsatisfactory performance
I N/A Incomplete
P/F N/A Pass/Fail
WP N/A Withdrawal Passing
WF N/A Withdrawal Failing
Grades of I, P/F or WP are not computed and have no effect on a student’s grade point average or satisfactory progress. IOTM does not offer non-credit or remedial courses.
Course Retake Policy:
A student is required to repeat any course in which he or she has received a non-passing grade or has withdrawn from prior to completion. A student must meet with his or her academic advisor to make this change in their class schedule. The new grade will replace the original grade for purposes of the calculation of the cumulative grade point average. If a student has to retake a course due to receiving a non-passing grade, the student will be charged a retake fee of $250.00 that must be paid prior to attendance in the course.
Attendance Policy:
IOTM considers class attendance and participation in classroom activities to be instrumental in the learning process. Students, therefore, should not miss classes except for valid reasons such as illness, accidents, and participation in officially approved activities.
Attendance Minimums –
• A student must maintain the attendance requirements as stated above in the chart relative to his or her program schedule at the completion of each grading period throughout the program. Only three (3) absences are allowed in a grading period that requires at least 75% attendance.
When a student is absent from a class, it is his or her responsibility to inform the instructor of the reason for the absence in order to make up missed assignments, class work and tests. If a student does not notify the instructor prior to the end of class, or as soon as possible in emergency situations, the opportunity to make up any missed assignments, class work and tests, is forfeited.
All absences are recorded in the student’s permanent record. Students are cautioned that even though absences may be for valid reasons, such absences could impair performance and result in a lower grade or failure of the class.
Tardiness:
Arriving five (5) minutes or more late to any class, or leaving class early, shall be recorded by the instructor as TARDY. Four (4) tardy’s are equal to one ABSENCE and will have an effect on Standards of Academic Progress.
Mitigating Circumstances:
The Assistant Director may waive the standards of academic progress for circumstances of poor health, family crisis, or other significant occurrence outside the control of the student. These circumstances must be documented by the student to demonstrate that they had an adverse impact on the student’s performance. Students on leave of absence are not “enrolled” during their leave of absence. The student must complete a Leave of Absence Form.
Procedure for Appealing Decisions Concerning Satisfactory Progress:
Students who are subject to termination due to unsatisfactory progress may appeal their termination and will be granted an appeals hearing. Appeals must be submitted to the Assistant Director in writing. Decisions of the Appeals Committee will be final.
Reinstatement as a Student at IOTM:
Students who have been dismissed due to failure to maintain the academic minimums outlined may apply to be reinstated as a student at IOTM. A meeting will be scheduled between the Director, Assistant Director and the student applying for reinstatement to determine if the student has the academic ability and desire to successfully continue in the program. If reinstated, the student will be placed on probation for one grading period. Satisfactory progress is necessary to continue as a student in good standing at IOTM. To graduate, a student must meet the conditions of the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
COMPLETION OF GRADUATION AND RETENTION RATES
IOTM annually prepares the graduation and placement rate of its diploma-seeking undergraduate students based on data reported by the graduates through use of surveys. The following information is provided to each new student at time of enrollment and the signed acknowledgment of receipt becomes part of the student’s permanent file. The following information is provided to the Department of Education annually. It is submitted through IPEDS no later than July 1 each year. The following information is also provided to each enrolled student upon request.
Graduate and Placement Rates For the Massage Therapy Program
Enrolled Y-end Graduated Placed Withdrew Total Enrolled
12/31/2004 31 33 33 8 72
12/31/2005 49 20 20 5 74
12/31/2006 52 34 34 6 92
06/30/2007 63 23 18 7 93
06/30/2008 53 37 34 7 97
06/30/2009 67 30 ** 12 109
NOTIFICATION RIGHTS UNDER FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:
• The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the Institution receives a request for access.
A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The Institution official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the Institution official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
• The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
A student who wishes to ask the Institution to amend a record should write the Institution official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
If the Institution decides not to amend the record as requested, the Institution will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
• The right to provide written consent before the Institution discloses personally identifiable information from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
The Institution discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the Institution in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the Institution has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using Institution employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the Institution.
Upon request, the Institution also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Institution to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901
Directory Information Public Notice
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford students certain rights with respect to the inclusion of their information in IOTM’s Student and Faculty Directory. These rights include:
• The right to refuse to any or all of the student’s information being included in IOTM’s Student and Faculty Directory. Information to be included is:
• Student’s name
• Student’s cell phone number
• Student’s home telephone number
• Student’s email address
• The right to make such refusal within 15 calendar days of enrollment.
The Institute of Therapeutic Massage has developed the following policies and procedures for the verification of information provided by applicants for Federal Title IV student financial aid.
1. Only those students selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) or those with conflicting information in their records will be required to submit supporting documentation. In most cases, the required documentation consists of a completed Verification Worksheet and a signed U.S. Income Tax Return from the prior year. Any conflicting information in the student's file must be resolved before any financial aid may be disbursed, regardless of the student's verification status.
2. No Federal Pell Grant, Campus Based, or Subsidized Direct/Stafford Loan funds will be disbursed prior to the completion of verification.
3. A Stafford Student Loan application will be certified by the institution prior to the completion of verification. However, the student only has 45 days from the time the check arrives at the institution to provide the necessary documentation. If verification is not completed by that time, the check must be returned to the lender. A Direct Stafford Loan will not be originated until all verification has been completed.
4. Students eligible to receive a Pell Grant, Campus Based aid or a Subsidized Direct Loan will have until 120 days after their last day of attendance or by the deadline published in the Federal Register each year (deadline is usually around 9/24) whichever is earlier, to complete verification. However, in the interim, the student must have made arrangements with the school for payment of all tuition and fees due or risk termination from our school. After the passage of the aforementioned period, all financial aid that might have been due is forfeited.
5. All students will be notified on a timely basis if they were selected for verification and what supporting documentation is required. At that time the student will be informed of the time parameters and the consequences of not completing the verification cycle. The institution will notify the student of the results of the verification process and any other documentation needed. The institution will assist the student in correcting any information that is inaccurate and will notify the student via award letter if an award changes. The institution will use as its reference the most recent Verification Guide supplied by ED.
6. If the student receives an overpayment based on inaccurate or conflicting information on any application and refuses to correct the information or repay the Federal funds after being counseled by the institution, the school will refer the case to ED for resolution. Unless required by ED, no Federal financial aid will be disbursed to the student.
7. The financial aid file must be documented with the date that verification is completed. Subsidized Stafford Loan checks will not be released prior to this date.
PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT
1. Each Professional Judgment is handled on a case by case basis.
2. Financial aid department has the right to determine if the individual case is a reasonable and there are grounds for a professional judgment.
3. For a Professional Judgment there needs to be documentation of the situation from an independent third party.
4. When doing a Professional judgment for someone who has lost employment they must be receiving unemployment and have documentation
Procedure
1. An individual wishing to receive a Professional Judgment must put their request in writing and present to the financial aid department for determination.
2. Proper documentation relative to the circumstances must be provided to the financial aid department.
3. Financial aid department then determines if the case is reasonable.
4. Financial aid department puts their determination in writing and notifies student of decision.
5. If Professional Judgment is to be granted, within FAME – ESP software, mark the professional judgment box under ISIR correction, then adjust the figures as needed for each individual case
The Federal Return of Title IV funds formula (R2T4) dictates the amount of Federal Title IV aid that must be returned to the federal government or the lending institution by the school and/or the student. The federal formula is applicable to an eligible student receiving federal aid when that student withdraws on or before the 60% point in time in the payment period. If a student does not begin training, the R2T4 formula does not apply.
For official withdrawals a student’s withdrawal date is the date the school received notice from the student that they are withdrawing. A student’s withdrawal date used to calculate refunds shall be the student’s last date of attendance and participation in an academic activity.
For unofficial withdrawals a student’s withdrawal date is their last day of physical attendance.
The school’s determination that a student is no longer in school for unofficial withdrawals is determined within 14 days of non attendance.
The federal formula requires a Return of Title IV calculation if the student received or could have received (based on eligibility criteria) federal financial assistance in the form of Pell Grants, Stafford Loans or Plus loans and withdraws on or before completing 60% of the payment period. The percentage of Title IV aid earned is equal to the percentage of the payment period that was completed as of the withdrawal date if this occurs on or before the 60% point of time. The percentage that has not been earned is calculated by subtracting the percentage of Title IV aid earned from 100%.
The percentage of the payment period completed is calculated by the days completed in the payment period as of the withdrawal date divided by the scheduled days in the payment period.
The amount to be returned is calculated by subtracting the amount of Title IV assistance earned from the amount of Title IV aid that was or could have been disbursed as of the withdrawal date.
If a student receives less Title IV funds than the amount earned, the school will offer the student a disbursement of the earned aid that was not received at the time of their withdrawal which is a post withdrawal disbursement. Post withdrawal disbursements will be made from Pell grant funds first if eligible. If there are current educational costs still due the school at the time of withdrawal, a Pell grant post withdrawal disbursement will be credited to the student’s account. Any Pell grant funds in excess of current educational costs will be offered to the student. Any federal loan program funds due in a post withdrawal disbursement must be offered to the student and the school must receive the student’s permission before crediting their account.
The following Title IV refund distribution is used for all FA students due a refund:
1. Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loan
4. Direct PLUS Loan
5. Federal Pell Grant
6. FSEOG
Refunds will be made to the federal programs within 45 days of the date that the school determined that the student ceased attending.
The statute requires that a student is responsible for all unearned Title IV program assistance that the school is not required to return. This is determined by subtracting the amount returned by the school from the total amount of unearned Title IV funds to be returned.
IOTM CAMPUS SAFETY AND SECURITY
Choosing a postsecondary institution is a major decision for students and their families. Along with academic, financial and geographic considerations, the issue of campus safety is a vital concern. In 1990, Congress enacted the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act (Title II of Public Law 101–542), which amended the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). This act required all postsecondary institutions participating in Title IV student financial aid programs to disclose campus crime statistics and security information. The act was amended in 1992, 1998 and 2000. The 1998 amendments renamed the law the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act in memory of a student who was slain in her dorm room in 1986.
The Clery Act requires higher education institutions to give timely warnings of crimes that represent a threat to the safety of students or employees, and to make public their campus security policies. It also requires that criminal data are collected, reported and disseminated in annual reports to the campus community and are also submitted to ED. The act is intended to provide students and their families, as higher education consumers, with accurate, complete and timely information about safety on campus so that they can make informed decisions.
Any crime that occurs on campus should be immediately reported to faculty or office staff available. They will then contact the Assistant Director or President of IOTM. Faculty and staff are first responders to criminal, fire and medical emergencies. Local police and/or rescue personnel (911) will be contacted as deemed necessary. Please follow their directions and those of the civil authorities during any emergency.
The IOTM Safety and Security Activity Logs are also available for review at the Administrative Office during normal business hours. Security Alerts are made in a timely manner to the campus community about crimes considered to be a threat to students, staff and faculty.
The following is a list of services provided by IOTM for the campus community:
Escort Service
Any student or staff member may request a security escort at any time. This service is encouraged for those walking to their cars after dark. You can request an escort from your instructor or another staff member. Students and instructor(s) leaving evening classes at an additional classroom location are encouraged to wait for each other so that they may exit the building a walk to the parking lot together as one group.
Lost and Found
A lost and found is maintained at IOTM in the front office. Found items can be left at the front desk or with an instructor. Items may be claimed during normal business hours.
Safety Services
Maintaining safe facilities is important to IOTM. Faculty and staff routinely report on the condition of lighting, sidewalks, parking lots, etc. If a student encounters a safety concern, they are asked to report it to the front office staff immediately.
Crime Prevention
Incoming students are given security and crime prevention information at time of enrollment. Bulletin Boards located in the common areas of campus provide crime prevention information. They also will display “Security Alert” notices of recent crimes or problems on campus and tips on how these can be avoided or prevented.
Crime Statistics
The following statistics are compiled in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Policy and Campus Statistics Act of 1998. The numbers indicate the crimes reported to IOTM personnel for the calendar years listed. In addition all faculty, staff were contacted for information regarding crimes not previously reported.
The offense classifications used are the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting system (UCR). Following are the UCR offense descriptions:
Murder: (and non-negligent manslaughter) The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.
Sex Offense: (forcible and non-forcible) Any sexual act directed against another person, forcible and/or against that person’s will or not forcibly and/or against that person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent.
Robbery: The taking, or attempting to take, anything of value under confrontational circumstances from the control, custody or care of another person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear of immediate harm.
Aggravated Assault: An unlawful attack by one person upon another wherein the offender uses a weapon or displays it in a threatening manner, or the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration, or loss of consciousness.
Burglary: The unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft. Forced entry is not an element of the offense, so long as the entry is unlawful (constituting a trespass). It may be accomplished via an unlocked door or window.
Motor Vehicle Theft: The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
Hate Crimes: Crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity.
Arson: The willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, or personal property of another kind.
Also required are arrest statistics for the following violations:
Liquor Law Violations
Violations of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale purchase, transportation, possession or use of alcoholic beverages.
Drug Abuse Violations
Violations of laws prohibiting the production, distribution, and/or use of certain controlled substances and the equipment or devices utilized in their preparation and/or use.
Weapons Possessions
Violations of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices or other deadly weapons.
Sexual Violence
1. Education Services: IOTM makes available literature on date/acquaintance rape. Literature is posted and available on Bulletin Boards on campus.
2. Reporting: Victims of sexual violence are encouraged to seek assistance through campus resources. You may approach the Director, Assistant Director or other staff/faculty to report an incident. Conversations are kept confidential to those who the victim wishes to be notified.
3. Resources: Victims of sexual violence will be directed to community resources as appropriate.
4. Disciplinary Process: In cases of alleged sexual violence, local law enforcement will be notified. Conviction of sexual violence may result in expulsion from IOTM.
5. Rights: The victim of sexual violence has the right to request changes in academic arrangements. These requests will be granted if the change is reasonably available.
IOTM DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE POLICY
In accordance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, IOTM has adopted the following Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy.
Introduction
Only in an environment free of drug and alcohol abuse can the Institute fulfill its mission of developing the professional, social, cultural and intellectual potential of each member of its community. The use of illicit drugs impairs the safety and health of students and employees, inhibits personal and academic growth and undermines the public’s confidence in the Institute. For these reasons, it is the policy of the Institute that all Institute activities and Institute property shall be free of the unlawful use of drugs.
Policy
In accordance with federal and state law, students and employees of IOTM shall not unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use controlled substances, alcohol, or prescription drugs. Doing so is in direct violation of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy.
Disciplinary Sanctions
In order to assure that IOTM’s drug and alcohol abuse policy is implemented and at the same time protects the rights of the individual, the following procedures will be employed. When reports reach the Assistant Director indicating possible drug and alcohol, the individual will be:
A. Apprised of this information
B. Reminded of the drug policy of IOTM
C. Urged or required (depending on the discretion of the Assistant Director) to seek professional help. Documented evidence must be submitted and placed in that individual’s file.
D. Informed of additional procedures that may need to be employed up to and including expulsion or termination of employment or student status and referral of the matter to law enforcement agencies and licensure boards.
If necessary, an appropriate investigation and/or hearing will be conducted to pursue any alleged drug abuse on the part of an employee or student.
Legal Sanctions under Local, State, and Federal Law for the Unlawful Possession or Distribution of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol
A. Local Sanctions for Possession and Distribution—Local sanctions are consistent with Ohio law as listed as follows in B.
B. State Sanctions for Possession and Distribution—Ohio law prohibits illicit selling, cultivating, manufacturing, or otherwise trafficking in controlled substances, including, but not limited to, cocaine, heroine, amphetamines and marijuana; knowingly or recklessly furnishing them to a minor; and administering them to any person by force, threat, or deception with the intent to cause serious harm or if serious harm results. These offenses are felonies. The law also prohibits knowingly obtaining, possessing or using a controlled substance and permitting drug use on one’s premises or in one’s vehicle. These offenses may be either felonies or misdemeanors. The law further prohibits obtaining, possessing or using hypodermics for unlawful administration of drugs, and the sale to juveniles of paraphernalia for use with marijuana. These offenses are misdemeanors. A felony conviction may lead to imprisonment or both imprisonment and fine. The maximum prison term is twenty-five years. A misdemeanor conviction may lead to imprisonment for up to six months and/or a fine of up to $1,000. With regard to alcohol, Ohio law provides that a person under twenty-one years of age who orders, pays for, attempts to purchase, possesses or consumes alcohol, or furnishes false information in order to effect a purchase, commits a misdemeanor. Ohio law prohibits the possession of alcohol which was not lawfully purchased, and a court may order that any place where alcohol is unlawfully sold not be occupied for one year, or that the owner or occupant of the premises be required to furnish a surety bond of $1,000 to $5,000.
C. Federal Sanctions for Possession and Distribution—Federal law forbids the illegal possession of and trafficking in controlled substances. A person convicted for the first time of possessing a controlled substance, other than crack cocaine, may be sentenced to up to one year in prison and fined between $1,000 and $100,000. A second conviction carries a prison term of up to two years and a fine of up to $250,000. Subsequent convictions carry prison terms of up to three years and fines of up to $250,000. Imprisonment for five to twenty years and fines of up to $250,000 apply to persons possessing more than five grams of crack cocaine on the first conviction, three grams on the second and one gram on subsequent convictions. In addition to the above sanctions, a person convicted of possessing a controlled substance may be punished by forfeiture of property used to possess or facilitate possession, if the offense is punishable by more than one year in prison; forfeiture of any conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance; denial of federal benefits, such as student loans, for up to five years; ineligibility to receive or purchase a firearm; and a civil penalty of up to $10,000.
Description of Health Risks Associated with the Use of Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol
Alcohol (* see “Special Note on Alcohol”)
Health Effects: Causes depression, aggression, slurred speech, muscular incoordination. Frequent use can lead to cirrhosis of liver, pancreatitis, brain disorders, vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition, and addiction. Large doses can cause unconsciousness and death.
Symptoms: Puffiness of face, redness of eyes, depression, disorientation, shallow respiration, nausea, dehydration.
Duration: 1-12 hours.
Marijuana
Health Effects: Can impair memory perception and judgment by destroying brain cells. Raises blood pressure. Contains more known carcinogens that cigarettes.
Symptoms: Euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, disoriented behavior, staring off into space, hilarity without cause, time distortion, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and throat.
Duration: 2-4 hours.
Barbiturates; Methaqualone
Health Effects: Can cause slurred speech, staggering gait, poor judgment, and slow uncertain reflexes. Large doses can cause unconsciousness and death.
Symptoms: Slurred speech, disorientation, and drunken behavior with no odor of alcohol. Sedation.
Duration: 1-16 hours.
Cocaine
Health Effects: Causes dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature. Can cause seizures, heart attacks and death.
Symptoms: Apathy, anxiety, sleeplessness, paranoia, hallucinations, craving for more cocaine. Weight loss. Constant sniffing.
Duration: ½ - 2 hours.
Crack Cocaine
Health Effects: More and stronger cocaine is getting to the brain quicker, increasing risks of cocaine use.
Symptoms: same as cocaine.
Duration: 5-10 minutes.
Amphetamines
Health Effects: increases heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. High doses can cause tremors, loss of coordination and death from stroke or heart failure. Frequent use of large amounts can produce brain damage, ulcers and malnutrition.
Symptoms: Decreased appetite, dilated pupils, sleeplessness, agitation, and unusual increase in activity.
Duration: ½ - 2 hours.
PCP or Phencyclidine
Health Effects: Increased heart rate and blood pressure, large doses can cause convulsions, comas, heart and lung failure and ruptured brain vessels. Users may show long-term effects on memory, judgment, concentration and perception.
Symptoms: Sweating, dizziness, numbness, hallucination, confusion, agitation, violence and aggression or silence and withdrawn state.
Duration: variable.
Heroin
Health Effects: Repeated use can lead to infections of heart lining and valves, skin abscesses and congested lungs. Can lead to convulsions, coma and death.
Symptoms: watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, and loss of appetite, tremors, irritability, panic, chills, sweating, cramps, and nausea.
Duration: 12-24 hours.
Gas & Glue, Other Inhalants
Health Effects: Brain damage occurs when used over a long period of time. All these chemicals carry considerable risk, particularly of cardiac arrhythmia.
Symptoms: Very alert, keen senses, hallucinations, dizziness, scrambled words and disconnected sentences. Smells like whatever the substance is being used (i.e. gasoline).
Duration: variable
Hallucinogens
Health Effects: Dilated pupils, nausea, increased blood pressure, hallucinations, stomach cramps, blackouts. Flashbacks, a recurrence of the drug effects, may be a problem for some.
Symptoms: Beady eyes, nervous, erratic behavior, crying, personality changes, “sees” smells, “hear” colors. Marked depersonalization.
Duration: 3-12 hours.
MDMA
Health Effects: Increased heart rate and blood pressure, blurred vision, chills, sweating, drastic increases in body temperature. Believed to cause permanent brain damage.
Symptoms: confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, paranoia, muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea.
Duration: variable, up to days.
*A special note on alcohol:
Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair 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 increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including partner and child abuse, and sexual assaults. Moderate to high doses 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 than others of developing alcoholism.
Local Drug/Alcohol Counseling, Treatment, or Rehabilitation Programs
Pathways Counseling Center 419-523-4300
Counseling Matters, LLC 419-538-6000
AA Central Office, 24 hours 419-380-9862
toledoaa.com
IOTM Staff and Faculty have established working relationships with area hospitals, community mental health centers and other social service agencies to facilitate referrals when treatment is needed. Feel free to contact in confidence a staff or faculty member for assistance or additional information.
Drug and Alcohol Policy Evaluation
An advisory board will conduct a biennial review of the drug program to determine its effectiveness, to implement appropriate changes, and to ensure that its disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.
311 E. Market St.
3rd Floor
Lima, Ohio 45801
PHONE 1.866.897.0949 | FAX 419.523.9152