Overview

Renton Technical College is committed to maintaining an environment of teaching and learning. The purpose of this policy is to provide education and awareness of alcohol and other drugs, offer resources for those struggling with substance misuse, and promote health, safety and productivity for individuals and the college community at large.

In pursuit of Renton Technical College’s mission to academic success and community enrichment, RTC complies with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations, the Drug-Free Workplace Act, and the Controlled Substances Act, along with other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. RTC also recognizes alcoholism, substance misuse, chemical dependency and other health and related behavioral problems are treatable conditions and offers resources to students and employees making conscientious efforts to seek help.

Resources

RTC Resources

Renton Technical College recognizes alcohol and substance misuse as a health, safety and security concern and encourages students and employees facing substance misuse to utilize all resources available to them. RTC offers the following resources to students and employees:

Wellbriety Center

The Wellbriety Center (J-118) is the hub for RTC’s collegiate recovery community. We welcome students who are interested in stopping or reducing their use of substances or other potentially harmful behaviors, as well as their allies. The Wellbriety Center exists as a place to study, hold meetings, hang out, and get to know other students. We have a library available for students to check out books related to harm reduction, sobriety, mental health, and supporting loved ones in recovery.

Naloxone Nasal Spray & Fentanyl Testing Strips

Naloxone nasal spray is used for the treatment of an opioid emergency or possible opioid overdose. Campus Security officers are trained in its use, and additional training is provided to all enrolled students free of charge. Naloxone is available without charge in the Campus Security office (N-105), the Wellbriety Center (J-118), and in wall-mounted AED emergency boxes across campus, as well as in the vending machines in C Building near Blencoe Auditorium.

Fentanyl testing strips are drug testing technology that has been effective at detecting the presence of fentanyl and fentanyl-analogs in drug samples before ingestion. Based on the results of test strips, people can choose to implement strategies to reduce the risk of overdose. Fentanyl testing strips are available without charge in the Wellbriety Center (J-118) and in the vending machines in Building C near Blencoe Auditorium.

For more information on how to use naloxone spray and other resources that combat the opioid epidemic, please visit our Opioid Response and Resource Plan page.

Case Management

RTC offers case management services to students looking for resources related to their recovery and students experiencing housing insecurity and food insecurity. You can connect with our Student Resource Case Manager, Nate Ezelle, by:

Fill out this case management referral form, and we will contact you as quickly as possible.
425-235-2110
nlezelle@rtc.edu

Counseling with our Behavioral Health Services

RTC’s Behavioral Health Services offers free and confidential short-term individual counseling as well as crisis assistance to current RTC students. You can schedule an appointment with a counselor by:

To get help, fill out the Behavioral Health Form.
Call and leave a message detailing your information (425-235-6635)
Email Behavioralhealth@rtc.edu and ask us to call you.

External Resources

Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers near Renton, WA
Lakeside-Milam Recovery Center – Renton Outpatient Rehab
24-Hour Crisis Clinic: 206-461-3222
Drug and Alcohol Hotline: 206-722-3700 or 800-562-1240
Teen-Line: 206-722-4222 or 800-562-1240
Washington Recovery Help Line: 1-866-789-1511
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Psychology Today

RTC employees may additionally use the Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 877-313-4455.

Reporting

If you observe or believe that an employee or student may be suffering from addiction or substance misuse or exhibiting symptoms of being under the influence on campus or in online school activities, please submit a referral to the Wellbriety Center. If you are comfortable reaching out yourself, you may also inform them of RTC’s resources for individuals dealing with alcohol or substance misuse.

If you believe someone under the influence poses a threat to the health and safety of themselves or others, please call 911 and contact Campus Security.

Addiction: A Chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. Those changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs.

Alcohol: Any form or derivative of ethyl alcohol (ethanol), including but not limited to beer, wine, and spirituous liquors.

Controlled Substance: A controlled substance include those controlled substances list in schedules I through V of section 202 of the federal Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 812).

Marijuana / Cannabis: The dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical THC and other similar compounds. Extracts can also be made from the cannabis plant.

Narcotic/Opioid: A class of drug used to reduce moderate to severe pain. Opioids can be made from the opium poppy plant or in the laboratory. They block pain signals by binding to opioid receptors on nerve cells in the nervous system or other organs in the body. Opioids used for pain relief are usually safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a health care provider, but they can be highly addictive.

Substance Misuse: The use of a substance for a purpose not consistent with medical or legal guidelines.

Under the Influence: To be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while in the workplace or performing work-related duties such that the person’s motor senses (e.g., sight, hearing, balance, reaction, reflex) or judgment either are, or may reasonably be presumed to be affected.

Students

Renton Technical College is committed to maintaining an environment of teaching and learning, which is free of alcohol and illicit substances. Any student who, while in any college facility or participating in a college-related program, uses, possesses, consumes, is demonstrably under the influence of, or sells any narcotic drug or controlled substance as defined in RCW 69.50.101, in violation of law or in a manner which significantly disrupts a college activity, shall be subject to discipline. This includes all the definitions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, which includes marijuana.

Employees

Renton Technical College is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the well-being and health of its employees. This commitment is jeopardized when any RTC employee uses alcohol or controlled substances on the job, comes to work demonstrably under the influence of alcohol or with controlled substances present in their body, or possesses, distributes, or sells controlled substances in the workplace. Disciplinary action up to and including termination will be processed in accordance with federal and state regulations, union agreements and other college policies. In addition, an employee who has violated this policy may be required to participate in evaluation or treatment for substance misuse.

Misuse of alcohol and other drugs can lead to serious health problems, chemical dependency, deterioration of the quality of life, and if untreated, early death.

Alcohol misuse may impair judgment, result in inappropriate behavior, increase feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation, and inhibit attention and memory. In extreme instances, intoxication can result in permanent brain damage, comas, or death. Prolonged use may cause liver and heart disease, cancer, and neurological problems including alcohol dependency. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage or cause children to be born with physical and developmental problems (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders).

Marijuana use can result in a variety of short- and long-term effects. Short-term effects of marijuana include impaired judgement, coordination and attention, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, and an increased heart rate. Long-term effects include impaired memory and cognitive function, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular effects, and in some cases can worsen symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

The effects and risks of other drugs, including the misuse of opiods and prescription drugs, vary depending on their class and can cause severe health problems such as brain damage, addiction, and death among others. In all cases, these effects critically impede students’ ability to learn course material and complete assignments and critically impede an employee’s ability to fulfill their educational or administrative responsibilities and ensure the safety of students and other employees.

Alcohol and drugs are heavily regulated by state and federal law. Consequences of violating these laws can include fines, suspension of a driver’s license or incarceration.

In an effort to combat deaths to due opioid, alcohol, or other drug-related deaths, Washington State Law grants protections from many criminal charges (such as drug possession) and civil liabilities to those seeking help for a medical emergency, such as an overdose, and those rendering aid to someone in a medical emergency (RCW 4.24.300 and RCW 69.50.315).