Bryan College of Health Sciences is committed to providing a drug and alcohol free educational environment which supports the mission of the College. The College’s primary role in dealing with the use or potential use of drugs or alcohol is that of prevention, counseling, and education.
The risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol are numerous and include physical and mental impairment, emotional and psychological deterioration, and devastating effects on family and friends. There are obvious risks, such as being charged with driving under the influence or while intoxicated, and sustaining or causing personal injury. There are a number of less obvious risks associated with alcohol and other drug abuse: poor academic performance; poor job performance; unwanted sexual activity; sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS; and jeopardizing future career prospects. In addition, alcohol and drug abuse put the user at considerable health risk, which can include: nausea, vomiting, cancer, liver damage, elevated blood pressure, psychotic episodes, hallucinations and, in some cases death.
It is the policy of the College that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use of a controlled substance, or the purchase, sale, possession, use or consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited on College premises, extension of the College campus, and at all College-sponsored events and activities on and off campus. A College- sponsored student event is any gathering that is arranged or endorsed by the College, where students are in attendance. Attendance at any school activity, either curricular or extra-curricular, while under the influence of alcohol, shall constitute misconduct, unless prior permission from Bryan College administration has been obtained and the alcohol is sold off campus by a licensed independent vendor via a “cash bar” and only to persons of legal age. Any student or student organization that violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the College. Disciplinary sanctions may also include the completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program. Students may be placed on suspension until the required program is completed.
The College reserves the right to notify an appropriate law enforcement agency when violation of the alcohol and drug policy is also a violation of the law.
If there is a reasonable suspicion of alcohol or drug consumption prior to or while in class or at a College-sponsored activity, the student may be removed from the class or activity. If there is a suspicion of drug or alcohol consumption prior to or after reporting to clinical activities, the student will be removed from the clinical setting.
At the discretion of the faculty or College Administrator, the student may be taken for evaluation, which may include alcohol or drug screening test(s).
Reason to suspect impairment and/or withdrawal include personal observations of, but not limited to, the following signs: poor neuromuscular coordination, diaphoresis, tremors, muscle cramps, gastrointestinal cramps/diarrhea, irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, blurred vision. Acute behavioral changes such as severe mood swings, panic, severe depression, excessive physical activity, difficulty with authority and poorly explained errors, accidents or injuries are reasons to suspect impairment or withdrawal. Signs, behavior changes or other evidence of impairment and/or withdrawal will be documented by program administration, faculty or clinical preceptors and will included dates, times, locations, and names of witnesses.
Reason to suspect substance use disorder can be based on personal observations documented by administration, faculty or clinical preceptors. Documentation of concerns related to attendance (frequent or unexplained tardiness, absences, illnesses; ), behavior (see behavior changes above), performance (underperformance, errors or elaborate excuses), physical signs (see signs above) and use of controlled substances (consistently uses more drugs than colleagues, heavy wastage of drugs, drugs carried outside of clinical area) will included dates, times, locations, and names of witnesses.
Intervention by School
Assessment for Chemical Dependence or Substance Use Disorder
A student is required to complete an assessment for chemical dependence/substance use disorder if a drug screening is positive or based on reason to suspect impairment, withdrawal or substance use disorder. The assessment method must be preapproved by the Vice President of Student Affairs. The results of the assessment must be provided to the Vice President of Student Affairs and Program Dean. The student is placed on administrative/medical leave of absence until the assessment results are reviewed by the Vice President of Student Affairs and Program Dean.
Reentry
A safe return to the program will be facilitated on an individual basis. A student placed on administrative/medical leave of absence for substance use disorder may not be able to reenter the program if reentry is a threat to the student’s or patient safety. Readiness for reentry is a collaborative decision of any applicable monitoring/treatment programs, a certified drug and alcohol counselor, the Vice President of Student Affairs, and the Program Dean.
A reentry contract with conditions to reenter the program will be written and agreed upon by the Vice President of Student Affairs, Program Dean and affected student prior to return the classroom or clinical activities. A reentry contract is required for a student placed on administrative/medical leave of absence for assessment and/or treatment of chemical dependence or substance use disorder. Conditions likely will include evaluation by a certified drug and alcohol counselor, successful completion of a rehabilitation program if recommended, compliance with any follow-up care such as taking prescribed naltrexone or participating in a 12-step program, and participation in a monitoring program with random drug testing at the student’s expense, with results reported to the Vice President of Student Affairs. The student is required to comply with all conditions of any monitoring contract the student has entered into with a state licensing authority. Additional conditions may be included in the reentry contract on a case by case basis.
Drug Violations can render students ineligible for federal student aid. If you or someone you know is having difficulties because of alcohol or substance abuse, please seek assistance. The College and the Lincoln community include individuals and agencies with the resources to help. Counseling Services (Lorie Escobar, 402-481-3831) or Continuum EAP (402-476-0186) are resources that can provide information and access to counseling, treatment, support groups and rehabilitation programs.