Drug-Free Workplace & Drug-Free University Notice

Employee Assistance Program

The UT Employee Assistance Program (UTEAP)​ provides help with personal or workplace issues for all UT Health San Antonio employees and their families. The EAP offers a variety of services including counseling sessions with a licensed mental health professional, legal and financial resources, and help with Work Life referrals. Through the EAP, your spouse or live-in partner, eligible dependent children and you can access free, convenient and confidential services 24/7.

Contact the EAP at (713) 500-3327 (toll free: (800) 346-3549) or visit UTEAP Work Life website (user/password: uteap).

You can also complete an online form. Expect a return call from UTEAP within one business day. For urgent requests or same-day counseling appointments, call 713-500-3327 or 800-346-3549.

Community Resources

Alcoholics Anonymous
713-686-6300

Al-Anon / Alateen
713-683-7227

Narcotics Anonymous
713-661-4200

National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hotline
800-252-6465​​​

UT Health San Antonio (UTHSA) has the expectation of each employee to conduct all activities in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and with the utmost ethical integrity.

While the information which follows in this section is not all inclusive, it is indicative of important and frequent activities involving UTHSA employees in our daily business and workplace operations and offers answers to some common questions and situations.

Drug-Free Workplace

UTHSA is committed to a drug-free environment. Faculty and staff reporting to work under the influence of an illegal controlled substance or alcohol, or unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace and on any property under the control of the University. The use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in and on University facilities. However, the President may waive this prohibition with respect to any event sponsored by the University.

Faculty and staff are required to notify the Vice President of Human Resources within five (5) calendar days of a conviction for an offense involving a controlled substance that occurred in or on the premises controlled by the University.

Students

Penalties that may be imposed for conduct related to the unlawful use, possession or distribution of alcohol or drugs that are prohibited by state, federal, or local law include disciplinary probation, payment for damage to or misappropriation of property, suspension of rights and privileges, suspension of a specified period of time, expulsion, or such other penalty as may be deemed appropriate under the circumstances. At the discretion of the University, a student, resident or fellow may be required to participate in, and satisfactorily complete, an approved rehabilitation program as a condition of continued enrollment in a training program.

Standards of Conduct – University of Texas System

The following Standards of Conduct regarding the use of illegal drugs have been adopted by the University of Texas System and are applicable to all UT Health San Antonio employees.

THE UNLAWFUL AND/OR UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION, USE OR DISTRIBUTION OF ILLICIT DRUGS OR ALCOHOL IS PROHIBITED ON UT HEALTH SAN ANTONIO PROPERTY OR AS PART OF UT HEALTH SAN ANTONIO ACTIVITIES.

1. Rule 50101 of the UT System Regents’ Rules & Regulations provides that disciplinary action may be taken against any student who engages in conduct that violates the Regents’ Rules, UT System or UT Health San Antonio rules and regulations, specific instructions issued by a UT Health San Antonio or UT System administrative official acting in the course of his/her authorized duties, and/or state, federal or local laws, whether such conduct takes place on or off campus or whether civil or criminal penalties are imposed for such conduct. Rule 50101 also provides that any student who is guilty of the illegal use, possession and/or sale of a drug or narcotic on the campus of a component institution is subject to discipline. If a student is found guilty of the illegal use, possession and/or sale of a drug or narcotic on the campus, the recommended penalty shall be suspension from the component institution for a specified period of time and/or suspension of rights and privileges.
2. Rule 30103 of the Regents’ Rules & Regulations is prohibited on property and in buildings owned and controlled by UT System or UT Health San Antonio, provided, however, that with the prior consent of the UT Health San Antonio president, the foregoing provisions may be waived with respect to any specific affair which is sponsored by the University or UT System.
3. The University of Texas System Drugs and Alcohol Policy, its Policies and Procedures for Discipline/Dismissal of Employees, and the UT Health San Antonio Human Resources Disciplinary Action and Dismissal of Employees Policy, define as employee misconduct, and therefore prohibit, bringing intoxicants or drugs onto the premises of UT System or UT Health San Antonio and using intoxicants or drugs, having intoxicants or drugs in one’s possession, or being under the influence of intoxicants or drugs on UT System or UT Health San Antonio premises at any time. The unlawful use, possession or distribution of illegal drugs or alcohol, or engaging in conduct prohibited by UT Health San Antonio policy regarding the manufacture, sale, possession, distribution or use of alcohol or illegal drugs will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of an employee’s employment.
4. The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 United States Code Title 41, Chapter 81 found guilty (including a plea of “no contest”) or has a sentence, fine or other penalty imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction under a criminal statute for an offense involving a controlled substance which occurred in the workplace, or in the course and scope of his/her employment, shall report such action to the Human Resources Office within five (5) calendar days of the conviction.
5. Prescribed or over-the-counter medication warnings about impact on work performance must be heeded. A supervisor’s advice and assistance may be necessary when job adjustments are required to ensure an employee’s ability to perform assigned work in a safe manner because of the use of such medications.
6. Distribution to others of a drug or controlled substance obtained pursuant to a prescription, except by duly licensed and certified persons, while on duty or while in or on premises or property controlled by the university is prohibited.

Creating an environment free of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs is a difficult task for any employer. Many people may turn to alcohol and other drugs in an attempt to handle the daily stresses arising at home and work. At MD Anderson Cancer Center, we are well aware not only of the good that can result from the proper use of prescribed medications, but also of the devastation that can occur from the misuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Alcohol

Alcoholism is the most common type of drug impairment. Dramatic personality and behavioral changes, slowing of reaction time, impaired coordination and motor activity, impairment of rational thinking, and an increase in risk-taking behaviors are only a few of the hazards associated with the abuse of alcohol. Chronic misuse of this drug can also result in severe and irreversible damage to the brain, nerves, liver, pancreas, bone marrow, heart, reproductive organs and muscles, as well as death.

Prescription Drug Abuse

Drug addiction can occur at any stage of a person’s life. Prescription drug abuse and prescription dependence are common occurrences with narcotics, tranquilizers, sedatives and stimulants. The profile of an individual with a prescription drug addiction may include: ready access to drugs, chronic pain or multiple injuries over time requiring a continuous supply of drugs, asking others for their leftover prescriptions, often taking family members’ prescriptions, and the use of multiple physicians and pharmacies to cover up the amount and frequency of prescription drug use. People with prescription drug abuse problems or prescription drug addiction rarely associate with other addicts, are not able to recognize themselves as having a problem and are difficult to identify. Denial is often centered around the fact that a legal drug is being used. However, with appropriate treatment and follow-up, and the use of a primary care provider for health care and for medications, prognosis is good.

Cocaine

crack, snow, coke, bump

This stimulant is swift in its destruction. Users may progress from infrequent use to dependence within a matter of weeks or months. Not infrequently, smokers of the crack form of cocaine become severely psychologically dependent after use. Death from cardiac arrest is a genuine danger after overdose. Prolonged use can result in hallucinations; sexual dysfunction; psychotic, delusional behavior; and memory loss.

Amphetamines

speed, uppers, black mollies, ice

Use of these dangerous drugs starts slowly but progresses at a rapid pace, as with cocaine. Incoherent speech, bizarre psychotic behavior and hallucinations are the result of severe amphetamine intoxication.

Opiates and Heroin

horse, smack, china white, junk

These drugs cause rapid addiction in many people who use them repeatedly. Addiction can occur within 72 hours. The drugs can be smoked or taken intravenously or in pill form. Impaired judgment, slurred speech and drowsiness are apparent in users. During overdose, victims suffer coma, shock and impaired respiration that can result in respiratory arrest and death.

Hallucinogens

LSD, ecstasy, angel dust, love drug, peyote, phencyclidine, PCP, mescaline

This family of mind-altering, illegal drugs can cause distorted perceptions, bizarre mood swings and hallucinations. Suicide is not an uncommon outcome of prolonged use, and former users can experience “flashbacks” and periodic psychotic states.

Inhalants

glue, gasoline, lacquers, poppers, correction fluid, plastic cement, naphtha, amyl nitrate

Brain damage and hallucinations are the inevitable result of repeated sniffing of fumes from these substances, which can cause symptoms similar to those caused by alcohol, as well as sudden death. The largest group of inhalant abusers is adolescents.

Marijuana

cannabis, grass, pot, mary jane, hashish, hash oil

Smoking marijuana is thought to be harmless by many. However, repeated use can actually result in psychological dependence, disconnected ideas, impaired judgment and coordination, altered depth perception and a lost sense of time. Chronic smoking causes pharyngitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma and amotivational syndrome (loss of energy, apathy, absence of ambition). The drug also exerts a harmful effect on learning and memory, and adolescent users may experience physiological development problems.

Rohypnol

Mexican Valium, R-2, roach, rope, rophies, roofies, ruffies

Adverse effects associated with the use of this drug, sometimes also called the “date-rape drug”, include decreased blood pressure, memory impairment, drowsiness, visual and gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, and confusion. The risk of dependence is greater for people with a history of alcohol and drug abuse.

Gamma Hydroxyl-Butrate

GHB, liquid X, scoop, grievous body harm

This liquid drug is like a roofie, but stronger. Sold originally as a steroid alternative to body builders, it causes states of euphoria and relaxation, but overdoses can lead to many physical symptoms and death. The drug was banned in 1990 by the Food and Drug Administration.

Health Alert

Intravenous drug users and those who practice “unsafe” sex should be aware of their increased risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. AIDS is spread through contact with contaminated body fluids exchanged through vaginal, oral or anal intercourse or the sharing of needles. Excessive use of alcohol and other drugs can lead to an increase in unplanned and unsafe sexual activity, which increases the risk of HIV infection.