Substance Use, Abuse, and /or Dependency Policy

At Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (BUCOPHS)

By J.E. Berger, Faculty Liaison to the PRN

In regards to the policy and procedures in place for any pharmacy student that could possibly have a drug or alcohol problem in our BUCOPHS, the policy we have in place was approved by our COPHS Faculty on April 21, 2005 and exists as part of the Student Handbook. It was developed in accord to the AACP Guidelines for the Development of Chemical Impairment Policies for Colleges of Pharmacy. In essence it states that if there is a change in a student’s behavior as evidenced by academic performance deterioration, absences from academic responsibilities, any physical signs, or corroborated written incidences from many sources, the Associate Dean may investigate and document such behaviors, and bring them to the Academic Affairs Committee for recommended actions based upon adherence to the Handbook Policy. Each COPHS student has signed an agreement to abide by this policy while enrolled in the COPHS.

Actions that may occur from these recommendations include assessment by an outside source, a monitoring agency, (such as the Pharmacists Recovery Network - PRN) and continued progress toward recovery. All of these issues are to be mutually agreed upon by the Dean of the COPHS and the student. The Dean will determine the student’s academic progress. The BUCOPHS policy does not alter the University policy on student use of alcohol or illegal drugs. The student is responsible for all costs involved with any phase of the assessments or procedures incurred throughout the process.