SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE
The following two documents are considerably overlapping. However, both are included here so as to avoid omitting essential information.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM
This document is included here in response to the "Drug-Free School and Communities Act of 1989."
I. Introduction
Purpose
The Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires employers who contract with or receive grant funds from federal agencies to insure they meet certain requirements for providing a drug free workplace by good faith effort. The Drug Free School and Communities Act of 1989 requires that as a condition for receiving funds or any other financial assistance under any federal program, an institution of higher education must certify that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol abuse by students or employees.
Provision
The performance of employees/students who engage in substance abuse in the health sciences center environment is or may be adversely affected. In an academic health science setting, an impaired employee’s job related activity can result in errors deleterious to the missions of the institution.
Because of the potential for errors of omission or commission and because unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance violates state and/or federal laws, it is the policy of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport to maintain an environment free of drugs and alcohol. The illegal use, possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse by students and employees on the university premises or as any part of its activities is prohibited.
All employees, students and faculty, whether paid, unpaid or gratis must understand that continued employment is contingent upon willingness to comply with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989. Director of Human Resources Management within five (5) days following a conviction of any drug related criminal charge which is work related. The Director will notify the Grants Office which must comply with the provisions for notice to the federal funding agency or federal contractor within ten (10) days. Notice to the federal agency or federal contractor should include the sanctions imposed on the employee convicted of a drug related work related crime. All students convicted of a drug related criminal offense which is health sciences center related must report the circumstances within five (5) days of the conviction to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs - School of Medicine, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies - School of Graduate Studies, or the Director of Student Affairs - School of Allied Health Professions, depending on the school in which the student is enrolled.
Scope
Laboratory drug tests of appropriate body fluid specimens may be required of an employee/student should there be reasonable suspicion to believe a chemical abuse problem exists. Such reasonable suspicion to believe such a problem exists may include, but is not limited to, the appearance of impairment or intoxication the job or aberrant behavior. Testing may also be required after an accident, near accident or incident.
Louisiana Classifies Drugs in Schedules
Schedule I and II drugs consist of opiates, opium derivatives, hallucinogenic substances, depressants and stimulants.
Schedule III drugs consist of stimulants, depressants, nalorphine, limited narcotic drugs, anabolic steroids and muscle building substances.
Schedule IV drugs consist of barbital, phenobarbital, mebutames, etc.
Schedule V drugs consist of narcotic drugs containing nonnarcotic active medicinal ingredients.