Body
Unit Policy
Title
School of Nursing: Controlled Substances and Impairment Policy
Introduction
Purpose & Scope
Our purpose is to identify and address problems associated with Controlled Substance misuse or other Impairment. This policy describes the conditions under which UNC School of Nursing (UNC SON) students may be required to undergo testing for Controlled and/or Restricted Substances and to describe the consequences of a positive Screening for Controlled and/or Restricted Substances.
Policy
Policy Statement
The following conditions are prohibited while enrolled at UNC and engaged in UNC SON business, on or off the UNC SON premises:
- The illegal use, misuse, abuse, possession, manufacturing, dispensation, diversion, distribution, or Impairment by Controlled Substances or Restricted Substances.
UNC SON students will be screened annually during matriculation and every 12 months thereafter for Controlled Substances and/or Restricted Substances.
UNC SON students will be required to undergo Screening for Controlled Substances and/or Restricted Substances under the following conditions:
- Drug screen required by a clinical site (e.g., community preceptor, Area Health Education Center site).
- At the student’s request (e.g., elective course or activity involving travel).
- Reasonable Suspicion of substance use disorder.
- Reasonable Suspicion that a student is under the influence of a Controlled Substance or Restricted Substance.
Nursing students will undergo drug or alcohol screening if they exhibit behaviors that amount to the Reasonable Suspicion of Impairment. These behaviors include, but are not limited to:
- The appearance of impairment or intoxication at school or in a clinical setting
- Unusual or aberrant behavior
- Conviction for an offense involving a Controlled Substance or Restricted Substance
- Evidence of drug tampering, diversion, or misappropriation
Some clinical rotation sites require Controlled Substance and/or Restricted Substance screening as a condition of starting a rotation at their site and may not accept the screening results performed during the SON annual screening. Students participating in these rotations will be required to undergo Screening according to the clinical site requirements. The cost of the Screening will be borne by the student unless it is covered by the clinical rotation site.
Students may request a drug screening. Voluntary testing is most often requested for extramural (away) electives. Students undergoing Screening for away electives should contact the Office of Student Affairs for information about recommended laboratories and procedures. In all cases, the cost of the screening will be borne by the student.
Procedure for a Positive Test Result
A student with a Positive Test for Controlled Substances or Restricted Substances will be removed from the assigned clinical rotation site until the Positive Test is investigated. This removal may result in the student being administratively withdrawn or receiving a failing or incomplete grade for the course.
In the case of a confirmed test result, the student will be referred to UNC-Chapel Hill Campus Health Services for medical evaluation and supportive therapy. Students violating the Controlled Substances and Impairment Policy will also be referred to the academic performance committee and may also be referred to the Honor System.
Marijuana use is not legal in North Carolina. A Positive Test for marijuana will be investigated regardless of whether or not marijuana was consumed in a state or country where marijuana or related substances are legal.
Students who anticipate a positive test due to legally prescribed controlled substance medications will provide documentation of the prescription from a health care provider. Documentation can include signed letter from health care provider, pill bottle with student’s name and date of prescription or signed prescription and should be submitted to the designated Medical Review Officer (MRO) affiliated with the drug screening company during the screening process.
Definitions
Controlled Substances: Include, but are not limited to marijuana, opiates, amphetamines, barbiturates, heroin, and similar drugs whose possession and use are prohibited under state or federal law; so-called "designer drugs," "look-alikes," synthetic drugs, and similar substances.
Restricted Substances: Prescription drugs, unless validly prescribed by a student’s physician and used as prescribed, and other substances whose use may be abused although they are available legally (such as alcohol, cough syrup and other over-the-counter medications), and substances not intended for human consumption (such as glue).
Positive Test: Positive result from testing for the presence of medications, Controlled Substances or Restricted Substances. For Controlled Substances, any Positive Test for a Controlled Substance. For Restricted Substances classified as drugs, a Positive Test for the drug in its pure form or its metabolites at or above the specified cutoff levels by the laboratory performing the test is considered a Positive Test.
Impairment: State of an individual who is affected by consumption of Controlled Substances and/or Restricted Substances. Individuals taking medications prescribed by a physician or over-the-counter medications should adhere to the terms of the prescription and to any activity restrictions recommended by the physician or manufacturer.
Screening: Examination performed for the purpose of assessing Impairment.
Reasonable Suspicion: An objective, justifiable presumption that is based on specific facts, observations or circumstances that justifies the Screening of a student for Controlled Substances and/or Restricted Substances.
Related Requirements
External Regulations
UNC SON students, as citizens, are responsible for knowing about and complying with the provisions of North Carolina law that make it a crime to possess, sell, deliver, or manufacture those drugs designated collectively as “controlled substances” in Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program Report
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Office of Student Affairs, School of Nursing
Telephone: 919.962.8981
Email: osa@son.unc.edu