Substance Use Guidelines
For Student Majors That Include A Clinical Component In The Curriculum
BACKGROUND
Drexel University has an established policy that prescribes the standards of conduct expected of students and members of the University community. This standard of conduct includes the prohibition of the use or the possession or dissemination of narcotics or other mind-altering drugs, other than those medically prescribed, properly used and in the original container, by students while representing their college. The policy can be found within the Code of Conduct located here.
Drexel recognizes that some states have legalized medical marijuana and certain amounts of recreational marijuana. However, marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule 1 drug under federal law. As a result, any positive test for this drug will not be overturned by the third-party testing medical review officers, even if a medical marijuana card is presented or if you consumed recreational marijuana in a state where it is legal.
The University recognizes that drug use/dependence is a disease that is chronic, progressive and, if left untreated, fatal. Drug dependence can affect all facets of a student’s life and result in the student’s departure from the University. The University will be supportive of a student receiving treatment and once sustained recovery is obtained, the student may seek re-admission. To request accommodations of a disability based on a history of substance use, contact the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture.
When a student violates these Substance Use Guidelines and is enrolled in a major that includes a clinical health care component in the curriculum, it is incumbent upon the administration and faculty of said College/School to provide oversight and remedial action for such a serious act by the student.
PURPOSE
The purpose of these Substance Use Guidelines is to inform students enrolled in said college/school, who are also enrolled in a major that includes a clinical health care component, about the guidelines and procedures related to any unlawful use, manufacture, distribution or possession of controlled or illegal substances or alcohol. Aside from seriously affecting the physical and psychological integrity of the user, substance use may significantly affect the ability of students to administer safe care to patients entrusted to them in a clinical health care setting.
These guidelines assist the student in maintaining personal and professional integrity and facilitate the student’s success in their education. They promote a healthy teaching/learning environment for the student and in the clinical setting ensures patient safety. They also foster the development of a professional who is aware of and considers the prevalence and adverse physical, psychological and social outcomes of substance use.
GUIDELINES
These guidelines apply to all students who have confirmed acceptance in any of Drexel University programs that include a clinical health care component in their curriculum and are effective immediately upon acceptance into the program.
Students are required to have a standardized drug screen prior to entering the clinical term environment, which may be prior to starting in the program. This is typically a 10-panel urine drug test, and the results are expected to return negative for any of the tested drugs, as well as negative for adulteration or dilution of the specimen. A positive drug screen of an illegal substance (illegal substance or controlled substance without a prescription) or intoxication from alcohol shall result in an interruption in the student’s program of study or inability to begin in the enrolled program.
Any unlawful possession, use, manufacture or distribution of controlled or illegal substances or alcohol by any student enrolled in a program that includes a clinical health care component in its curriculum while in academic sites, labs or at a clinical site may be considered substance use or possible dependency and may constitute cause for dismissal from the program. Students must also comply with all local, state or federal laws and regulations controlling the possession, manufacture, use or distribution of controlled or illegal substances and alcohol. The college/school where the student is enrolled in a program that includes a clinical health care component reserves the discretion under extenuating circumstances to revisit the terms of these guidelines.
In addition, there are circumstances in which students may need to take over-the-counter or prescribed medications that may impair their ability to function safely in the clinical environment and thereby endanger patients and self. As such, all students are responsible for being aware of the effect these medications may have on their ability to function safely in the clinical practicum and must notify the program chair regarding the use of any medication that can impair performance prior to entering the clinical environment. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action. In such circumstances, the student is encouraged to request medical leave from their studies.
Clinical education/practicum sites may also require that students undergo drug/alcohol testing prior to placement or during clinical rotations at the site. Therefore, students may also be tested in accordance with the clinical training site’s guidelines.
A student convicted of or arrested for violating any federal, state or local law or regulation pertaining to the manufacture, possession, sale, use or distribution of a drug or alcohol or misuse of prescribed or over-the-counter medications must report this conviction or arrest to their program chair within five days of the conviction or arrest.
Failure or refusal to comply with any aspect of these Substance Use Guidelines may impact academic progression. Examples of noncompliance include, but are not limited to, refusal to submit to immediate drug and alcohol testing or repeat testing, tampering or altering of specimens, attempts to submit the samples of another person as the student’s own, and failure to appropriately complete associated program or testing laboratory documents.
PROCEDURES
I. Education
An objective within these Substance Use Guidelines is to educate students about the risk of dependency among health care providers, enhance their ability to recognize impaired health care professionals, and reinforce the significance of appropriate intervention. Through selected courses, students will be educated about behavioral and clinical practice characteristics that are common indicators of substance use.
General Testing Procedure for Routine or Repeat Testing
Drug and alcohol testing required by said college/school will be conducted utilizing the following measures:
- The student must be tested at a laboratory designated and approved by Castlebranch. The student may be asked to provide a witnessed sample.
- The student will sign the chain of custody forms and any other documents provided by the testing laboratory. The student is expected to follow all the steps as per the lab.
- The 10-panel drug test shall screen for the use of the controlled substances listed below:
- Amphetamine (methamphetamine)
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepine
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Methadone
- Methaqualone
- Opiates (Codeine, Morphine)
- Phencyclidine
- Propoxyphene
In addition, student could be tested for any other controlled substances that are suspected of being used or used by the student.
- Urine, blood, hair and saliva analysis or a combination of these testing methods may be utilized.
- The student must fully comply with the testing laboratory's methods and procedures for collecting samples.
Results
Results are posted to the student’s compliance packet. It is the student’s responsibility to review and be sure all compliance requirements are up to date and accurate.
In the event of a positive result, the student will first be contacted by the Medical Review Office (MRO); this is done before the recording of any positive result.
Drexel recognizes that some states have legalized medical marijuana and certain amounts of recreational marijuana. However, marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule 1 drug under federal law. As a result, any positive test for this drug will not be overturned by the third-party testing medical review officers, even if a medical marijuana card is presented or if you consumed recreational marijuana in a state where it is legal.
If the student disputes the accuracy of a positive test, the student may request a re-testing of the original sample by the laboratory, however, the cost of the additional testing would be borne by the student. This re-test must take place within one week.
Substance use is verified if either: (i) the positive test result is not disputed or (ii) if the student-requested re-test is positive.
The testing laboratory will make a final report of the test results (positive, negative or inconclusive) to the Drexel Health compliance team lead.
The day of a student’s urine drug test, if the student drinks an excessive amount of liquid prior to conducting the urine drug screen, the results may return as 'diluted negative.' If the drug screen results do come back diluted negative, the student will be allowed one urine retest. This retest must be done within 48 hours of receiving an email from the Compliance Department regarding the diluted negative results, and the student will be responsible for paying for the retest. If the repeat for the diluted negative test comes back again diluted negative, the student will be required to complete a blood test (which runs around $300). This test must be done within 48 hours of receiving an email from the Compliance Department. The student is required to have a negative drug test on file before the start of the clinical term. If the results of the initial test come back 'diluted positive,' this result will be considered positive and will follow the same steps as a positive result.
Confidentiality
The requirement that a student be tested as well as the test results will remain confidential and disclosed only to those individuals within Drexel University with a need to know, as well as any licensing, registering or certification boards that have a need to know.
II. Observation of Visual Behavior
A student in a clinical program may be required to undergo drug or alcohol testing when the program chair, or designee, determines through direct observation or reports received from faculty or clinical supervisors and there is reasonable suspicion that the student is impaired due to illegal drug or alcohol use, the use or misuse of prescribed over-the-counter medications based upon, but not limited to:
- Unusual or aberrant behavior
- Physical symptoms indicative of being under the influence
- Patterns of abnormal or erratic behavior
- Inconsistent quality of work performance
- Conviction for drug-related offenses
- Being identified as the subject of a drug-related criminal investigation
- Credible information from independent sources
- Evidence of drug tampering or misappropriation
- Consistently discrepant daily drug counts
- Accidents or illnesses caused by substance use
- Impairment or intoxication in the clinical and/or didactic setting
- Patterns of absenteeism and/or lateness
- Alterations in student clinical and/or didactic performance that may not be attributed to other causes
- Following a work-related injury or illness
- Observation of poor judgment or careless acts which caused or had the potential to cause patient injury, jeopardize the safety of self or others or resulted in damage to equipment.
A faculty member suspecting possible substance use by a student must report the suspicious behavior immediately to the program chair or designee. (See Appendix 1).
Once the program chair is notified that a student has been suspected of violating these Substance Use Guidelines, the student will be instructed to report to the designated testing laboratory in accordance with the program chair’s instructions, which will take into consideration a safe mode of transportation given the suspected level of impairment of the student. The cost of any drug or alcohol testing requested by the program chair will be borne by the program. The program chair has the authority to temporarily remove the student from the clinical practicum pending the results of any drug or alcohol tests.
III. Documentation
Appropriate documentation will commence at the time of the initial suspicion that a student may be involved in improper substance use and will include the rationale for such suspicion.
All documentation regarding drug and/or alcohol testing results and any related health information will remain in a secure location under the control of the Drexel Health Compliance team, with access limited to authorized personnel with a legitimate need to know. Such records will be maintained separately from the student’s permanent program file.
The Drexel Health Compliance team lead will refer a student with a positive test result to Residential Living and Student Conduct (RLSC) at Drexel University for possible disciplinary action in accordance with the University Student Code of Conduct as it relates to process and not clinical placement.
IV. Impact on Clinical Standing
The student will be removed from the clinical practicum or unable to start that upcoming clinical term following a positive test result. Depending on where the student is within their plan of study, the time away from their academic program can vary. In addition, if the student has a professional license, the students college is obligated to report the results to the licensing agency.
Failure or refusal to comply with any aspect of these Substance Use Guidelines will be reported to Residential Living and Student Conduct (RLSC) at Drexel University for possible disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. In addition, any perceived attempts to tamper with the testing procedure or results will be reported to such committees as well.
Students will be informed of counseling and other treatment resources that are available to the student.
V. Treatment and Counseling Resources
Students who are concerned that they may have a substance or alcohol use disorder are encouraged to seek appropriate assessment, treatment and counseling from qualified health care professionals. Students who voluntarily self-disclose a substance or alcohol abuse problem prior to having a positive drug test result and are willing to enter into and complete an appropriate program of treatment may be granted a medical leave of absence while they undergo treatment.
The following website lists local treatment and counseling services that are available to students:
At all times, it is incumbent upon the student to make the decision not to attend a clinical assignment if he/she feels impaired and will present a risk to patients.
VI. Re-entry into the Academic and Clinical Environment
A student who has been dismissed, administratively removed, withdrawn or taken an approved leave of absence from the program due to substance use may be eligible to re-enter the program in certain circumstances. A student in recovery who is permitted to re-enter the program will comply with the documented conditions of readmission set forth by the program.
A student will be required to submit to subsequent random drug testing by the Compliance Department as a condition to returning to the program. The student will bear the expense of all subsequent random drug testing required by the program. The student must fully comply with the testing laboratory's methods and procedures for collecting samples. A second positive test result will lead to a program dismissal.
Factors that have been identified as helpful for re-entry into practice include 12-step program participation, random drug screens and sponsorship on a peer-assisted support group. If applicable, the student may be requested to provide medical clearance to Drexel Health Compliance from the appropriate individual coordinating a therapeutic intervention. If the student is a licensed professional (e.g., a nurse), they must provide evidence of a current, active nursing licensure if enrolled in the MSN, DNP or PhD nursing program.
A student in active recovery from substance use will be monitored closely, particularly in clinical practice. A program and student contract with guidelines and expectations will be developed and signed by both parties. Frequent evaluations will be mandated and stipulated in the contract, delineating the contingencies of programmatic return.
A student in recovery should be aware that their state licensing or certifying bodies may not allow students to take qualifying, licensing or certification examinations. Students should refer to requirements with the applicable licensing board.