CSU Drug-Free Workplace Policy

Maintaining a Drug-Free Campus and Workplace

Commitment to a Safe and Healthy Campus

California State University, Stanislaus is committed to providing a safe, healthy and productive work and academic environment for all its employees and students. It is the policy of the University to maintain a work and academic environment free from drug and alcohol abuse. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, sale, offer to sell, purchase, offer to purchase and/or unlawful use of controlled substances or alcohol on campus, or as any part of university-related activities, is prohibited. Controlled substances include, but are not limited to, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, LSD and amphetamines. Employees must remain free from the influence of controlled substances or alcohol while on duty.

As a condition of employment, all California State University (CSU) employees (faculty, staff and student employees) must comply with the CSU Drug-Free Workplace Policy. More information regarding California State University's Alcohol and Controlled Substances in the Workplace Programs and Policies can be found on the California State University Policies page.

Dangers of Substance Abuse in the Workplace

All drugs, including controlled and legal substances, are toxic or poisonous when abused. Using drugs impairs decision-making abilities and physically impairs people. This is a deadly concoction when on the job. Drug abuse can cause problems at work, including:

• aftereffects of substance use (withdrawal) affecting job performance;
• preoccupation with obtaining and using substances while at work, interfering with attention and concentration;
• illegal activities at work, including selling illegal drugs to other employees; and
• psychological or stress-related effects due to drug use by a family member, friend or coworker that affects another person's job performance.

Health risks of drug abuse include, but are not limited to, sleep disorders, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, deep depression, malnutrition, liver and kidney damage, cardiac irregularities, hepatitis and neurological damage.

Alcohol is a depressant. It depresses the central nervous system and can cause serious physical damage. Excessive drinking damages the liver, resulting in cirrhosis. Chronic alcohol abuse also causes hypertension, cardiac irregularities, ulcers, pancreatitis, kidney disease, cancer of the esophagus, liver, bladder or lungs, memory loss, tremors, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies and possibly sexual dysfunction. Abuse of alcohol or drugs during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects, spontaneous abortion and still births.

Employee Assistance Programs

The primary focus of Stanislaus State’s substance abuse prevention program is education and counseling. As part of this program, the University will provide educational workshops for faculty, staff, and students, to address the medical, health, psychological, social and legal ramifications of illicit drug and alcohol use. Stanislaus State’s Employee Assistance Program (offered through Empathia Pacific Inc. at LifeMatters) will continue to provide information, evaluation, and counseling and referral service to employees of Stanislaus State seeking help with personal, emotional, substance abuse or chemical dependency.

Stanislaus State recognizes drug and alcohol dependency as treatable conditions and offers employee support programs for individuals with substance dependency problems. Employees are encouraged, but not required, to seek assistance for drug and alcohol related problems. Employees can contact Empathia Pacific at (800) 367-7474, or LifeMatters (password “stanislaus”).

The LifeMatters website offers free Alcohol and Drug Screening, Drug Abuse Screening and a General Risk Health Assessment, and related articles and resources.

LifeMatters provides up to five counseling sessions for employees and/or their family members to assist with problems related to substance abuse or chemical dependency. Services provided directly by LifeMatters are free. If you are referred to outside resources, you will be advised about associated costs. Your use of LifeMatters or a counselor is confidential, unless your safety or the safety of another individual may be at risk.

Penalties for Violating the Drug-Free Workplace Policy

Local, state and federal laws establish severe penalties for violations of drug and alcohol statutes. These sanctions, upon conviction, may range from a fine to life imprisonment. With possession or distribution of illegal drugs, these sanctions could include the seizure and summary forfeiture of property, including vehicles. Any person found in a public place to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug and unable to care for his/her own safety or interfering with a public way can be charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor offense.

CSU employees who violate the Drug-Free Workplace Policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge for cause. For those employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the agreement shall control.

In accordance with Executive Order 930, employees who are directly engaged in performing a contract or grant awarded by any federal or state agency must notify Julie Johnson, Campus Compliance Officer, within five (5) days of any criminal drug conviction related to the a violation that occurred while the employee was performing work-related duties.