Alcohol, Drugs & Violence Prevention

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We, at Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), are committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive academic environment. Our comprehensive policies and prevention programs are designed to address the risks and challenges associated with alcohol, drug abuse, and violence, ensuring that every member of our academic community has the opportunity to thrive.

PHSU prohibits

The abuse of alcohol within the academic community
The possession, distribution, manufacture, or use of illegal drugs
Smoking on school grounds or during institutional events
Violence in any form within the academic community, on-campus facilities, or affiliated locations

It is unlawful for students, employees, or visitors to:

Engage in illicit use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco on any campus, affiliated facility, or during institutional activities.
Participate in institutional activities under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances.
Exceptions are made for medically prescribed drugs or substances used in IRB-approved research.

Any student of PHSU found to be engaged in any of the above, activities or in the case of vandalism is subject to dismissal. The student shall have the right to appeal as outlined in the “student promotion, academic probation and dismissal” section of this manual. Whenever a student of PHSU is found to be illicitly using, possessing, manufacturing, or distributing alcohol, drugs or controlled substances on the school or campus or on the grounds of affiliated institutions, or if the student has participated in Institutional activities while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any controlled substance, the following will occur:

Should the offender voluntarily recognize that suffer from drug or alcohol addiction and request help, counseling and rehabilitative services might be offered, including referral to public or private psychiatric services as an outpatient or inpatient, at the student’s own expense. If within 6 months, a certificate of complete rehabilitation is not presented, the student will be recommended for dismissal.

Sanctions for Violations

First Offense | Counseling and referral to professional assistance, with the possibility of dismissal after a hearing.

Second Offense | Immediate recommendation for dismissal after due notice and hearing.

Convictions | Any conviction for drug-related offenses must be reported to the Vice President of Student Affairs within 10 days. Failure to do so results in immediate sanctions, including dismissal.

Legal Compliance | These procedures do not exempt violators from action by law enforcement authorities for breaches of state or federal law.

Specific rules have been established to regulate PHSU sponsored activities where alcohol is served, based on applicable laws and regulations.

For details, please refer to the Institutional Public Policy on Establishing an Academic Community Free from Alcohol, Tobacco, use of Illicit Drugs and Violence.

Students

Conviction for drug-related offenses can result in suspension or permanent loss of financial aid eligibility, as per federal law.

Employees

Violations are subject to disciplinary actions, including termination, and mandatory participation in rehabilitation programs.

Prevention Policy & Program

Ponce Health Sciences University is one of the leading educational institutions in Medicine and Health Sciences in Puerto Rico. This represents a genuine commitment to establish an institutional public policy for the academic community free of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and violence. PHSU recognizes that prevention strategies are the first steps to fight against drugs, alcohol, and violence. PHSU promotes a prevention program aimed to provide services to students and employees.

Statement

It is PHSU commitment to ensure for everyone an environment free of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and violence through prevention, education, and rehabilitation.

Title

Alcohol, Drugs Abuse and Violence Prevention Program of PHSU.

The following Prevention Program, is designed to meet various state and federal regulations, including: “Drug Free Workplace Act” (34 CFR 85), the “Drug Free Schools and Campuses Regulations (34 CFR 86) and the Law 40, 1993 the Government of Puerto Rico, known as Law, to Regulate the Practice of Smoking in Certain Public and Private Places in PR.

Policy

Possession and/or use of illicit drugs and unauthorized controlled substances are contrary to university policy and in violation of federal and Puerto Rico laws. PHSU prohibits the possession, use, manufacture, distribution and/or sale of illegal drugs and illegal drug paraphernalia. Students at the University using or otherwise involved with drugs in violation of the Student Conduct Code and are subject to university disciplinary action in addition to any action taken by local or federal law enforcement authorities. Questions regarding the Drug Policy should be directed to the Office of the Students Affairs.

Applicable Laws

This program is based on the following Federal and PR Commonwealth Laws and/or Regulations:

Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Public Law 101-690) adopted in 1988.
Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, as emended (Public Law 101-226) adopted on December 12, 1989.
Law of Controlled Substances in Puerto Rico, also known as Law No. 4 of June 23, 1971, as amended.
Law to Regulate the Practice of Smoking in Certain Public and Private Places, also known as Law N. 40 of August 3, 1993.
Regulations Adopted by the United States Department of Education to implement such laws, 34 CFR 85; 34 CFR 86; HEOA section 488 and HEA section 485.

Drug Free Schools and Communities ACT, Amendment of 1989

The Law PL 100-297 signed in 1986, by the President of the United States, established the policy of a “Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act”. This policy was amended in 1989 and is still valid in the United States and its territories.

This law establishes that any institution that receives funds from the Department of Education of United States of America, shall comply with the rules of the “Drug Free Act”. The Department of Education of the United States has the capacity to monitor and corroborate the existence of a biennial review of the public policy of”Drug Free Act” and its implementation at the institutional level. Failure to comply with this revision, could result in the loss of funding from the Federal Governmentand /or claim for repayment of funds previously granted to the Institution.

This Law required that Institutions must disseminate their policies annually to students and employees, along with information on health risks, disciplinary sanctions, and campus-based treatment options. Every two years, Institutions are supposed to evaluate their programs to ensure they are effective and consistent.

Health Risk

The government has classified controlled substances from I to V according to their potential for abuse. In qualifying, the “I” substances appear more potential for abuse and little or no medical value. They are decreasing the risk to the “V” where substances less potential for abuse and accepted medical use with some appearing. Drugs are, by definition, any chemical substance that alters in any way the functioning of the body, mind and nervous system, behavior, and feelings of people. The use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs can cause dependence, a physical or psychological need to use it. Adding and alcoholism are developing a physical and psychological dependence in which the person loses self-control with the use of the substance.

The Alcohol is a depressant drug that affects the central nervous system and brain function progressively inhibited. In Puerto Rico use by persons 18 years of age is legal. The main component of alcoholic beverages is ethanol or ethyl alcohol, which has a different focus depending on your process. The use of alcohol and / or drugs affects motor coordination, reasoning, vision, and the ability to follow an object with his eyes; and, therefore, it becomes RISKY AND CRIMINAL the act of driving motor vehicles under its state (either use or under intoxication). Is considered legally intoxicated by alcohol to a person whose alcohol concentration in the blood is 0.08. However, I could be mentally and physically prevented from driving motor vehicles at a lower level.

Intoxication is a function of the amount of substance ingested, the time consumed, the alcohol content of the drink, weight, and sex of the person (the woman is more sensitive), the mood and the amount of food in the stomach of the individual at the time of consumption.

Intervention Protocol to Rehabilitate Students and Employees

PHSU believe that rehabilitation could be possible when a proper case management is available. The Office for Students Affairs and its Counseling Services are responsible for handling cases of students or staff, identified or are suspected of having problems related to drugs and alcohol.

Non-confirmed cases could be managed by institutional help services; professional counseling, discipline committee, bulletin board and, e-mails with information related to alcohol and drugs prevention. Confirmed cases, should be address to professional help from private and public agencies.

Treatment Centers

ASSMCA – Ponce Detox Center: (787) 840-6935
Medicina Conductual – Hospital Damas: (787) 842-0045
Programa de Alcoholismo de Ponce: (787) 844-4130
Línea a Auxilio y Prevención: 1-800-981-0023
Hogares CREA – Ponce: (787) 843-9013

Prevention Stategies

Admissions Office	Information related to the Policy is given to the student during admission process. Every student admitted to PHSU, sign the Policy of Alcohol and Drugs Abuse.
Financial Aid Office	During the FAFSA application, if the students respond yes to the question number 23 (related to drug offence); the Federal Government could cancel any grant to the student. The financial Officer should give the proper orientation related to the student eligibility to receive grants in the future.
Catalog and School Policies	The Student Catalog and School Policies include a copy of the PHSU Policy of Alcohol and Drugs Abuse. This Student Catalog is also available at the PHSU Web Page.
Professional Counseling Services	Professional counseling services are available to students and staff. Professional Counselor could refer identified cases to external agencies.
Extracurricular Activities	PHSU promotes extracurricular activities that involve drugs, alcohol and tobacco use prevention message
Walking Together	"Walking Together” is the institutional program of primary education and information about alcohol, tobacco, drugs, violence and sexual harassment, address to the employee. This Program is managed by the Professional Counseling Office.

Standard of Conduct

PHSU total and hereby categorically prohibited the possession, use, manufacture and / or distribution of drugs and alcohol by students, employees, and visitors to this Institution.
In case of medications use (drugs), it should be prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of a properly documented health condition.
Law 40 of August 3, 1993, prohibits smoking in public and private academic institutions at all levels of education. So PHSU not allow smoking in their classrooms or laboratories, halls, game rooms, libraries, hallways, restrooms, elevators, offices, research laboratories (these could even have areas with liquids, vapors, or flammable materials), lunchrooms, meeting rooms, parking area or within the premises of the animal house or institution.
Nor allow smoking in PHSU sponsored activities.
Advertising of alcohol and tobacco products are prohibited sponsor academic activities.
All student organizations recognized by our institution are subject to the above provisions in their official activities, both on and off campus.
The visitors, guests, or tenants of the PHSU facilities are required to comply with the legislation which it establishes public policy.

Sanctions

Student Alert! As set out in section 5310 of the Federal Law on the Use and Abuse of Drugs, 1988, if you are convicted for possession, manufacture or distribution of drugs, your eligibility for financial aid could be (1) suspended temporarily or (2) finished forever. If the student was convicted of drug offense within (not later than) ten (10) days after the conviction, he shall report in writing with your full name and Social Security number to:

Director, Grants and Contract Services
US Department of Education
Washington DC 20202-4571

Student Organizations are required to report within five (5) calendar days of any incident involving the use of alcohol and / or drugs that occurs in any official activity of the organization. Failure to comply with these provisions of public policy may result in sanctions as outlined in the Student Handbook.

Faculty and Administrative Employees under this public policy and in compliance with the law are bound to:

Comply with all rules of conduct outlined above.
Notify the employer in writing of any criminal conviction under the statutes of controlled substances or alcohol events in the workplace no later than five (5) calendar days after sentencing.
PHSU must also take one of the following actions within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving notice of any criminal conviction of an employee.
Require the employee to participate satisfactorily in voluntary assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a state or federal health agency, the Department of Justice and other appropriate.
Proceed with a relevant institutional action, including termination of job.
In addition to the aforementioned, every employee is subject to the rules applicable to their classification.
In some cases, if the offense is a not a significant one, employee could be referred to counseling services or a rehabilitation program.
A letter on the personnel file is applicable in all cases.

Commitment to Prevention

PHSU is dedicated to fostering an environment free from alcohol, drugs, and violence. Through education, intervention, and adherence to legal regulations, we aim to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our academic community.

For more details, refer to the Institutional Public Policy on Establishing an Academic Community Free from Alcohol, Tobacco, Illicit Drugs, and Violence or contact the Office of Student Affairs.