Introduction

Student use of illegal drugs, misuse of prescription and non-prescription medications (as defined by law), and alcohol abuse is a matter of concern to The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. The College of Pharmacy endeavors to protect and assist students by providing reliable information about the hazards of drugs and alcohol, identifying students at risk for substance use issues and, assisting students in receiving substance abuse treatment when necessary. The College of Pharmacy also recognizes its obligation to patient safety and the integrity of student activities in clinical practice experiences and other College of Pharmacy associated events.

Objectives:

The College of Pharmacy has a specific policy related to substance abuse by students. The objectives of this policy are to:

  1. Observe state board of pharmacy administrative rules and state and federal laws.
  2. Promote a campus free of illegal drug use.
  3. Stress moderation, safety and individual accountability by those who choose to drink alcohol.
  4. Provide an atmosphere free of coercion for those who choose not to drink alcohol.
  5. Maintain a community where the effects of substance abuse are minimal and where problem behavior is eliminated.
  6. Provide information and education on the health risks associated with drug and alcohol use and/or abuse.
  7. Provide information and referral for confidential guidance and counseling for those with special needs related to substance abuse.
  8. Protect patient safety and the integrity of educational practice settings.

Related Policies:

  1. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of drugs is prohibited at the University.
  2. All students must report to work, class, or any other official University activity unimpaired and remain in a condition fit to perform. Reporting to work, class or other official University activities while impaired by drugs or alcohol or possession of drugs or alcohol is a violation of this policy and shall subject the student to the appropriate disciplinary and/or rehabilitative action.
  3. As a condition of enrollment, every student must abide by the terms of this policy and will agree to a criminal background check that will identify any drug or alcohol related conviction. If during enrollment a drug or alcohol related arrest or conviction should occur, notice is to be given to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs no later than five days after such event.

Education

The College of Pharmacy Office of Professional Education will inform students about college policies and the issues surrounding substance abuse at various times during their academic program. These include, but are not limited to:

  1. Promoting awareness of the negative impact of substance abuse and addiction in the helping professions, especially pharmacy.
  2. Working with the College of Pharmacy to promote campus drug free policies and risk management at college-sponsored activities.
  3. Provision of the policy to each new student with discussion by faculty and current students.
  4. Documentation by student signature of their receipt of the College of Pharmacy Substance Abuse policy and acknowledgement of its expectation for a drug-free experiential learning environment.
  5. Periodic discussions by faculty in relevant courses.

Student Substance Abuse 

The College of Pharmacy shall abide by University policy and provide students with an opportunity to address substance misuse or abuse confidentially during any phase of their academic experience. The guiding philosophies of the following policy are first to protect patients from potential harm caused by impaired students in clinical practice experiences, and second to encourage the discovery and recovery of students with a substance use disorder.

  1. The College of Pharmacy acknowledges and adopts the University of Iowa's policy regarding use of illegal drugs and alcohol. Copies of this policy may be found in the Policies and Regulations Affecting Students.
  2. The College of Pharmacy will collaborate with the Iowa Monitoring Program for Pharmacy Professionals (IMP3) to assist students with substance abuse issues. The College of Pharmacy has established a faculty/staff member to serve in the role of the IMP3 Collegiate Advocate who will serve as the liaison between the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.  The IMP3 Collegiate Advocate will work with the students with potential substance abuse issues to assure student adherence with the College's substance abuse policy.
  3. When reasonable information is available of a potential substance abuse issue by a student, the student will be required to obtain a clinical assessment at UI Student Health, or other acceptable medical facility. Students refusing assessment may be dismissed from the College and reported to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
  4. Students determined to have substance abuse issues will be encouraged to self-report to the IMP3 program through the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners. The IMP3 Collegiate Advocate will assist in this process.
  5. Students self-reporting to the IMP3 program will provide the IMP3 Collegiate Advocate with of copy of the initial agreement within 5 business days of execution. The student will also present to the IMP3 Collegiate Advocate a copy of the contract within 5 days of execution.  Students failing to provide the IMP3 Collegiate Advocate with a copy of the executed initial agreement and/or a copy of the executed contract within the defined timeframe will be reported to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
  6. Students entering into and maintaining an agreement with the IMP3 may continue their pharmacy education, with permission of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Students determined to have substance abuse issues and who do not enter into a contract with the IMP3 or are noncompliant with terms of the contract will be dismissed from the College of Pharmacy.

Pharmacy Practice Experiences for Students under IMP3 Assistance

The Professional Experience Program (PEP) policy requires students under contract with the IMP3 to disclose elements of their situation to the PEP Liaison and to potential preceptors in a controlled and confidential manner.  The College of Pharmacy will attempt to assure that preceptors maintain this confidentiality.  The PEP office shall maintain a list of preceptors willing, with foreknowledge to accept students under IMP3 assistance into their practice environment.  The student will be provided the PEP policy and procedure by the PEP Liaison within 5 days of execution of the contract with the IMP3.  The PEP Liaison and the IMP3 Collegiate Advocate will work with the student to select appropriate experiential placement for the duration of the student's academic career.

Drug Testing 

The college shall not require random mandatory drug testing of students not under contract with the IMP3. The College of Pharmacy feels strongly that adherence to current policies and procedures should result in drug free environments and that random mandatory drug testing of members of the student body is an unnecessary invasion of student privacy.

Role of IMP3

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has developed the IMP3 program to assure appropriate and confidential treatment and monitoring of substance abuse issues within the pharmacy profession. The IMP3 program is a confidential resource established for the purpose of assisting and monitoring impaired pharmacy professionals whose dependency and/or disability is potentially threatening to professional performance and public safety.  The school will utilize the IMP3 program to manage students deemed to have a substance abuse issue which requires treatment.