Substance
Abuse
The
health and safety of our students, patients, visitors and
employees is of paramount concern. Saint Anthony College
of Nursing will not tolerate drug or alcohol use that imperils
the health and well-being of its students, patients, visitors
and employees. The use of illegal drugs and abuse of other
controlled substances is inconsistent with the Mission and
goals of the College of Nursing and is inconsistent with
law-abiding
behavior expected of all citizens. Students and employees
have the right to learn and work in a drug free environment.
For
these reasons, it is the policy of Saint Anthony College
of Nursing that:
PREVENTION
OF THE ILLICIT USE OF DRUGS AND THE ABUSE OF ALCOHOL BY STUDENTS
AND EMPLOYEES
The unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs and
alcohol by students and employees on the campus of Saint
Anthony College
of Nursing or at any of the activities of the institution
is prohibited.
In response
to the “Drug-Free Schools
and Communities Act Amendments of 1989”, Public Law
101-226, Saint Anthony College of Nursing annually distributes
the following information
to each student and employee.
This statement
of policy is intended to:
| 1. |
Clearly
state that the standards of conduct at the College of Nursing
prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution
of drugs and alcohol by students and employees on campus
or at any campus activities. |
| 2. |
Describe
the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs
and the abuse of alcohol. |
| 3. |
Describe
the drug and counseling treatment or rehabilitation programs
that are available to students and employees. |
| 4. |
Describe
the legal sanctions under local, State and Federal law
for unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit
drugs and alcohol. |
| 5. |
Describe
the sanctions Saint Anthony College of Nursing will impose
on students and employees for violation of this policy. |
TESTING
Students may be kept from clinical and classroom activities
and required to submit to drug and/or alcohol testing
if the College
has reasonable cause to suspect that the student is
under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while on
the OSF
campus or
any clinical agency. Reasonable cause to suspect that
a student is under the influence of alcohol and/or
drugs while attending
class or clinical may be based upon specific, contemporaneous,
articulable observations of a member of the College
concerning the appearance, behavior, speech, or body
odor of the
student.
In determining whether “reasonable cause” exists,
the College may consider factors including, but not limited
to, the following:
| • |
Direct
observation of drug or alcohol use or possession and/or
symptoms of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. |
| • |
A pattern
of aberrant or abnormal behavior, such as mood and behavioral
swings and wide variations or changes in classroom/clinical
performance. |
| • |
Arrest
or conviction of a drug-related offense or identification
of a student as the subject of a drug-related criminal
investigation. |
| • |
Information
provided by a reliable and credible source(s). |
| • |
Newly
discovered evidence that a student tampered with a previous
test. |
Refusal
to submit immediately to a drug or alcohol test when requested
by the College may constitute
unprofessional behavior
and be subject to disciplinary action.
TREATMENT
Early recognition and treatment of alcohol or drug
abuse is important for successful rehabilitation
and reduced
personal, family, and
social disruption. Saint Anthony College of Nursing
encourages the earliest possible diagnosis and
treatment for alcohol
and
drug abuse. The College supports sound treatment
efforts. Whenever feasible, the College will assist
students
in overcoming drug
or alcohol abuse. However, the decision to seek
diagnosis and accept treatment for alcohol or drug abuse
is
primarily the
individual student’s responsibility.
SANCTIONS
Students are warned that they are not immune to arrest for drinking
if under age. Students who choose not to comply with this policy
may be immediately suspended from the College. The student will
be expected to complete a treatment program approved by the College
Administration before being readmitted to the nursing program.
The student or employee will notify the College of Nursing within
five (5) days if he/she is arrested or violating any laws regarding
these issues.
For
more information on legislation regarding substance abuse, the
following web addresses are provided:
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/d-links.htm
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/1-csa.htm#Federal%20Trafficking%20Penalties
Each incoming
student will be asked to sign an affidavit stating that they have
read the substance abuse policy.
SMOKE-FREE
POLICY
In accordance with the Health Care Focus of the College
of Nursing and the Smoke-Free Policy of OSF Saint Anthony
Medical Center, Saint Anthony College
of Nursing also has adopted a no smoking policy. This smoke-free
policy refers to the College of Nursing and all its outside surrounding
areas. This policy
includes all classroom, laboratory, and clinical agencies, regardless of ownership.
