Drug Free Environment

 

Delta State University is committed to maintaining a drug-free environment in conformity with appropriate state and federal laws.

 

Employee: This generally includes faculty and staff employees who are working on paid appointments by the University. It generally excludes students or temporary employees. For specific information on who is considered an employee, contact the Human Resources Department. 

 

Supervisor: An employee designated by management who exercises major supervisory functions over another employee or employees. These functions include hiring, evaluating, assigning work, and disciplining employees.

 

 

Delta State University is committed to maintaining a drug-free environment in conformity with state and federal laws as set forth in the Uniform Controlled Substance Law of the State of Mississippi and the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. As a result of these laws and of the policy of this institution that the campus of Delta State University be a drug-free environment, employees are specifically prohibited from the possession, use, manufacture, distribution, sale or in any other way involved with a controlled substance both on and off campus, except as permitted in the relevant legislation. The term "employee" shall specifically include full-time and part-time. Each employee must abide by the requirements of this policy as a condition of employment at this university.

 

Delta State University will make available to all present and new employees a copy of this policy.

 

Employees are encouraged to seek assistance voluntarily on a confidential basis by contacting the person’s immediate supervisor or the University Counseling Center. Assistance with substance abuse problems is available through several centers for alcohol and drug education in the Delta area.

 

Supervisors must confidentially refer for counseling any person under their supervision who appears to be having difficulty with substance abuse.

 

Delta State University has established a Drug-Free Awareness Program that is administered jointly through the University Counseling Center and Human Resources Office. This program includes supervisory training programs, confidential referrals to rehabilitation programs approved for such purposes by a federal, state, or local health agency.

 

Any staff member who has been convicted of a criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace must notify the supervisor no later than five (5) days after the conviction.

 

Depending upon the facts related to any drug conviction or use, the employee may be:

suspended pending further investigation; required to participate in a drug abuse assistance program; issued a written warning; or terminated. For terminations, the applicable termination procedure will apply, based upon the status of the employee. Any action will be initiated within thirty (30) days after the facts become known by the University.

 

If faculty or staff members fail to notify their immediate supervisor of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace within five (5) days after such conviction, they will be suspended pending investigation with termination possible. For purposes of this policy "conviction" means a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body charged with the responsibility to determine violations of the federal or state criminal drug statutes.

 

Upon notification of such conviction, the University is required by law to notify the applicable funding agency (or agencies) within ten (10) days if the employee is working in a position funded by federal monies.

 

If an employee is suspected of violating any criminal drug statute in the workplace, the DSU Police Department will be called to begin investigation of the case.