Alcohol and Drugs

The following statement describes ISMMS’s policy regarding substance abuse for all employees, which include faculty, administration, house staff, students, graduate students, fellows, bargaining and non-bargaining unit employees. The school has a significant interest in ensuring that the educational and work environment is free from the hazards to patients, employees, students, and visitors that are created due to the unauthorized use of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances.

The illegal sale, manufacture, distribution, or unauthorized use of drugs or controlled substances off-duty whether on or off medical school premises or reporting to classes or clerkships under the influence of un-authorized drugs or controlled substances may constitute grounds for immediate dismissal.

The unauthorized use or possession of alcoholic beverages on medical school premises or reporting to School under the influence of alcohol also may constitute grounds for immediate dismissal.

The school may in its discretion take appropriate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal or termination from employment against anyone who has violated the above rules.

Any employee or student who is suspected of being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug while on duty and who refuses to be medically evaluated or to release the results of such evaluation to the medical school (as employer) or appropriate administrative officer of the School will be relieved from duty and will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires ISMMS, as a Federal grant recipient and contractor, to certify that it will provide a drug-free workplace. This is accomplished by providing to each employee or student engaged in a federal grant or contract, a copy of the School’s Drug-Free Workplace policy and statement, and requiring that as a condition of employment under such a grant or contract the employee will:

• Abide by the terms of this Statement; and

• Notify the Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations or his/her/their designee of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.

A Drug-Free Awareness Program has been established to inform all employees about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, The School's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace, the available drug counseling, rehabilitation and employee assistance programs, and the potential penalties for drug abuse violations.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers professional guidance counseling and a referral service for substance abuse, as well as other concerns, to students, employees and their immediate families free of charge. For confidential information, contact EAP at [phone].