Notice to all employees, students, and faculty
UAMS is committed to ensuring that employees, students, and faculty have the information and resources necessary to keep our campus free from drug and alcohol abuse. Under federal law, UAMS is required to provide you with certain information regarding our campus and the effects of drug and alcohol use and dependency. The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 is federal legislation developed to eliminate illicit drugs and to initiate intelligent use of alcohol use on college campuses and communities. The information on this website includes information about the health risks, legal consequences, and UAMS sanctions resulting from drug use, as well and resources to help those who are struggling with dependency. You may obtain a printed copy of this information by printing it from MyCompass, the UAMS learning management system. MyCompass can be accessed from the UAMS Office of Human Resources website.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Information
Drug and alcohol abuse can result in health risks, legal consequences, and UAMS sanctions. The websites below are provided for informational purposes only, and do not constitute medical or legal advice. If you have questions about how the use of drugs or alcohol may affect your health, contact your physician. If you are faced with prosecution or have other legal questions, contact an attorney.
UAMS Sanctions
The following policies and procedures are subject to change. Please check with the most current version of the policies or handbooks.
UAMS Substance Abuse Policy
Any UAMS employee or student who violates the UAMS Administrative Guide 4.4.05 Drug Free Workplace policy is subject to discipline up to and including termination or expulsion; and may be subject to criminal sanctions as provided by federal, state and local law.
It is the goal of UAMS to maintain a workplace that is free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances. Unlawful possession, manufacturing, use, sale or distribution of controlled or illegal substances by students or members of the UAMS workforce in the workplace or while on UAMS business is prohibited. In addition, students and members of the UAMS workforce shall not use illegal substances or abuse legal substances in a manner that impairs performance of assigned work or classroom activities. UAMS employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with the Drug Testing Policy, Admin. Guide 3.1.14, which provides for pre-employment, random and for-cause drug testing.
Students For Cause Drug Testing
UAMS explicitly prohibits:
- The use of illicit substances;
- Being impaired or intoxicated by alcohol or prescription medication while on university premises and/or during clinical, experiential, or research rotations.
- Possession, solicitation, or sale of illegal drugs
As stated in Academic Affairs policy 1.4.4, UAMS may require a student to submit to “for cause” drug testing at any time there is reasonable cause to suspect that the student is impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including, but not limited to:
- Observed impairment of performance (negative performance patterns, excessive and unexplained absences);
- Abnormal conduct or erratic behavior;
- Evidence of drug tampering in the student’s practice environment (evidence of drugs or alcohol on or about the student’s person or in the general vicinity, eyewitness testimony
- Arrest or conviction on an alcohol or drug-related offense
Students who refuse “for cause” drug testing are subject to administrative dismissal from their college/school. Students will submit to testing where assigned, and all costs associated with drug testing are the responsibility of the student. If a student tests positive for drugs, the student’s college policies will detail the administrative actions taken. For more information about sanctions, refer to the student handbook for the individual college/school.
Help – Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Treatment Resources
Employees with an addiction to drugs or alcohol are encouraged to seek help through the UAMS Employee Assistance Program or Student/Employee Health Service. Students with an addiction to drugs or alcohol are encouraged to seek help through the UAMS Student Wellness Program. Individuals who seek help through the UAMS EAP, Student/Employee Health Service, or the UAMS Student Wellness Program will not be punished for seeking such help. The following programs provide professional, confidential mental health services, including help with drug or alcohol dependency:
Employee Assistance Program
1123 South University Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72204-1609
Tel: 501.686.2588
Fax: 501.686.2576
Toll free: 800.542.6021
Web: http://eap.uams.edu/
UAMS Employee Health/Student Preventative Health Services
Tel: (501) 686-6565
Web: https://uamshealth.com/university-healthcare/student-and-employee-health/
UAMS Student Wellness Program
201 Jack Stephen’s Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
Tel: (501) 686-8408
Web: http://studentwellness.uams.edu/
The following hotlines may provide help for those struggling with drug or alcohol dependence. Please note that with the exception of the UAMS Substance Abuse Hotline, these help lines are not affiliated with UAMS or UAMS programs. They are provided on this website for convenience only.
- Alcoholics Anonymous Center Little Rock: (501) 664-7303
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Treatment: 1-800-662-HELP
Legal Sanctions
Local, state, and federal laws make illegal use of drugs and alcohol serious crimes. Conviction can lead to imprisonment, fines and assigned community service. The following is a list of possible legal consequences of drug and alcohol abuse:
Manufacture or delivery of controlled substance
It is unlawful for any person to manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, a controlled substance. Penalties for the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance can range from three (3) years to life in prison, and fines up to $250,000, depending on the quality and type of drug. In addition, real and personal property used in the manufacture, delivery, or importing of controlled substances may be forfeited to the government. Penalties for the manufacture, delivery, transporting, administering, or distributing of a controlled substance may be subject to an enhanced sentence of an additional term of imprisonment of ten (10) years if the offense is committed on or within one thousand feet (1,000) of the University. In addition, real and personal property used in the manufacture, delivery, or importing of controlled substances may be forfeited to the government.
Manufacture or delivery of a counterfeit substance
It is unlawful for any person to create, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver, a counterfeit substance purporting to be a controlled substance. Penalties for the creating and/or delivery of a counterfeit substance can range from one (1) to twenty (20) years in prison, and fines up to $15,000 depending on the type of drug being counterfeited.
Possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance
It is unlawful for any person to possess a controlled substance or counterfeit substance. Penalties for possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance can range from one (1) to ten (10) years in prison, and fines up to $10,000 depending on the type of drug (or counterfeit) possessed.
Underage DUI law
The State of Arkansas has an “Underage DUI Law” (Act 863 of 1993) in which it is an offense for a person under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol content of .02 to .07 (approximately one (1) or two (2) beers or hard drinks of liquor) to operate a motorized vehicle. Penalties for a first offense can result in (1) suspension of driver’s license for not less that 90 days or more than 120 days; (2) a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500; (3) assignment to public service work; and/or (4) attendance at a state sponsored alcohol and driving education program.
Driving while intoxicated
A person who drives a motorized vehicle while influenced or affected by the ingestion of alcohol, a controlled substance, or any intoxicant, commits the offense of driving while intoxicated. Penalties for such offense may include: (1) suspension of license for 90 to 120 days for the first offense (and additional days for subsequent offenses); (2) placement on probation for first offenders who plead guilty or nolo contendere prior to the adjudication of guilt; (3)
Imprisonment for no less than 24 hours and no more than one year for the first offense (with additional imprisonment for subsequent offenses); (4) fines of no less than $150 and no more than $1,000 for the first offense (with stiffer fines for subsequent offenses); (5) payment of an additional $300 in court costs, or as an alternative to payment, public service work as deemed appropriate by the courts; and (6) a requirement to complete an alcohol education program as prescribed and approved by the Arkansas Highway Safety Program, or an alcoholism treatment program as approved by the Office on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention. A blood alcohol level of .04 may be considered with other competent evidence in determining guilt or innocence. A blood alcohol level of .08 or more shall give rise to a presumption of intoxication.
Public intoxication
A person commits the offense of “Public Intoxication” if (1) he appears in a public place manifestly under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to the degree that he is likely to endanger himself, other persons or property, or that he unreasonably annoys persons in his vicinity; or (2) he consumes an alcoholic beverage in a public place. Public intoxication is a Class C misdemeanor, and can result in (1) a fine of up to $100, and/or (2) imprisonment in the county jail (or other authorized institution) for up to 30 days.
Contributing to delinquency of a minor
A person commits the offense of “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” if, being an adult, he knowingly purchases or provides alcoholic beverages for a minor. Such an offense is a Class A misdemeanor, and can result in (1) a fine of up to $1,000 and/or (2) imprisonment in the county jail (or other authorized institution) for up to one full year.
Federal penalties and sanctions for illegal possession of a controlled substance
21 U.S.C. 844(c) – First conviction: up to one (1) year imprisonment and fined at least $1,000 but not more than $100,000, or both. After first prior drug convictions: at least 15 days in prison, not to exceed two (2) years and fined at least $2,500 but not more than $250,000, or both. After two or more prior drug convictions: at least 90 days in prison, not to exceed three (3) years and fined at least $5,000 but not more than $250,000, or both. Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: mandatory at least five (5) years in prison, not to exceed 20 years and fined up to $250,000, or both if: (a) first conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 5 grams, (b) second crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams, (c) third or subsequent crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 1 gram. 21 U.S.C. 953(a) (2) and 881 (a)(7) – Forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance if that offense is punishable by more than one (1) year imprisonment (See special sentencing provisions re: crack.) 21 U.S.C. 881(a)(4) Forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance. 21 U.S.C. 844(a) – Civil fine of up to $10,000. 21 U.S.C. 853(a) – Denial of Federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses, up to one year for first offense, up to five years for second or subsequent offenses. 19 U.S.C. 922(g) – Ineligible to receive or purchase a firearm. Misc. – Revocation of certain Federal licenses and benefits, (e.g., pilot license, public housing, etc.) are vested within the authorities of individual Federal agencies.
Health Risks
The following links provide specific information about the health risks associated with the use of drugs and alcohol. This information is taken from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), parts of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.