Pearl River Community College has a controlled substance testing program for all students in Barbering, Early Childhood Education Technology, Cosmetology, and Health Related programs. The College will adhere to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, as revised by the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 101-226). The College will support the laws of the State of Mississippi as set forth in Sections 41-29-101 to 41-29-185, 61-1-37 to 61-1-81, 71-7-1 to 71-7-33, 81, 97-29-7 to 87-29-47, 142 of the Mississippi Code and abide by the Uniform Controlled Substances Law of the State of Mississippi.
All students enrolled in Barbering, Early Childhood Education Technology, Cosmetology, and Health Related programs must sign the “Substance Screen Consent” form agreeing to be tested for controlled substances. At some time, during the school semester, a percentage of all students enrolled in these programs will be chosen at random to undergo substance testing; this will be determined by the Office of Student Services. Pearl River Community College will bear the expense of random testing.
Required substance testing of students is at the discretion of the program’s director. In addition, any student enrolled in Barbering, Early Childhood Education Technology, Cosmetology, and Health Related programs at Pearl River Community College will be required to have a substance test performed immediately if at any time sensory or behavioral symptoms suggest the use of a substance. Confirmation of sensory or behavioral symptoms is determined by the student’s instructor or other supervising professional and by the opinion of another professional. In those clinical facilities where substance testing is not available, the student will obtain a designated driver, leave the facility, and report to the Office of Student Services immediately. The student is responsible for all expenses associated with this testing and/or treatment.
If the substance screen is positive or if a student refuses to be tested for any reason, the student will obtain a designated driver and leave the facility. The student will be dismissed from the program and advised to seek rehabilitation. The student will be considered for readmission following documented counseling and appropriate treatment by an accredited agency and the student must sign and be in compliance with the Pearl River Community College “Probation Agreement” form. Refer to individual program’s policies for specifications.
Pearl River Community College affords due process to all students in accordance with the law.
The Associate Degree Nursing program has a standalone policy governing all students enrolled in that program.
Substance Screen Consent
I (print name) ____________________________ have read and understand the Substance Testing for Students in Selected Programs Policy and Procedure printed above and agree to have tests for substances at any time while enrolled in the Pearl River Community College ________________________ program.
_______________________________ _________________________ _______________
Student Signature Student ID Number Date of Birth
______________________________________________ ________________
Program Director or Department Chair Date
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
SUBSTANCE SCREENING POLICY
The ADN program has a strong commitment to instructional excellence in an environment free of unnecessary risks to the safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and patients. The ADN program has a zero tolerance of illegal substance abuse/use and misuse of legal substances. The ADN program prohibits the illicit use, possession, sale, conveyance, distribution, or manufacture of illegal drugs, intoxicants, and/or controlled substances in all instances. To ensure a substance-free workplace and learning environment, students are required to submit to random substance screenings and to probable cause substance screenings. Students are provisionally admitted in the program pending, among other things, negative substance screen results.
The presence or use of drugs or alcohol, lawful or otherwise, which interferes with judgment or motor coordination poses an unacceptable risk for patients, colleagues, the college, and affiliating agencies. The ADN program requires all students to submit to substance screenings which may be a urine screen or a hair follicle screen. It is the program’s discretion as to which screen will be performed.
Substance screenings may occur at any of the following times:
- Acceptance into the ADN program and throughout the academic year
- Random screenings - names are selected at random
- Reasonable suspicion - when it is believed that student may have violated the policy
- Requirement by the affiliating clinical agency
- Random- following rehabilitation
- At any time the student requires medical attention on campus, in clinical, or during a nursing related function
The student who has an illegal substance screen, refuses to be tested at the set time, or leaves the testing area without supplying a specimen will be dismissed from the program. The student who has an irresolvable (unable to produce legitimate prescription) drug screen will be dismissed from the program.
Screening requirements for urine:
- Specimen must be at least 45 mL.
- No more than 40 ounces of water may be consumed during testing time.
- Specimen must be produced in 2 hours from time student arrives in testing area.
Screening requirements for hair follicle:
- Must be able to provide hair sample 1.5 inches in length.
- If no sample is able to be obtained, at initial time of hair follicle testing:
- Must submit to a urine screen and
- Must be able to produce sufficient sample before clinical attendance is allowed.
- If unable to produce sample before clinical begins, will be dismissed from program.
Following notification of a potential positive substance screen, students will have three (3) business days to provide proof of any legitimate prescriptions. Nothing can rectify an illegal substance result. Students unable and/or unwilling to provide proof of prescriptions will be considered positive and dismissed from the program. No further drug screens will be accepted.
Any program ordered substance screen confirmed positive will result in permanent dismissal from the program with no opportunity for readmission.
Substance screenings will be conducted throughout the academic year. Positive results are kept confidential and maintained by the director.
Drafted: acj 8/15; Revised: acj 11/15, Revised kt 1/16