The school recognizes that substance abuse and chemical dependency are a growing problem in this country. The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) requires MSP to adopt and implement a drug prevention program to prevent the use, distribution, unlawful possession, or sale of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Medical research has documented the debilitating and often deadly consequences of regular or episodic use of mood-altering chemicals. Due to factors such as body mass, endocrine function, metabolic biochemistry, genetic history, and overall health, it is not possible to predict who will be susceptible to health risks and what the consequences may be. However, it is known that over time substance abuse and chemical dependency have measurable, deleterious effects on various organs of the body and on physiological and intellectual functioning. Users often feel they are performing at their best when, in fact, actual performance is poor. Memory is also negatively impacted. Emotional problems and mood swings also may result. The risks are known to be greater when there are accompanying or pre-existing organic conditions. Severe insult to the fetus of a pregnant woman who ingests or inhales mind-altering drugs is also a threat.
A description of the applicable legal sanctions for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol and the health risks associated is available on the MSP website. The Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program, consistent with the MSP Student Code of Conduct, prohibits the following behaviors.
1. Alcohol abuse and related behavior, including:
a.unlawful possession and/or use of an alcoholic beverage onsite or at school-sponsored activities;
b. intoxication made manifest by boisterousness, rowdiness, lewd, obscene, or indecent appearance, conduct, expression, or other impaired functioning;
c. language which is profane, lewd, or in general unbecoming of a graduate student.
2. Drug abuse and related behavior, including:
a. unlawful possession and/or use of cannabis onsite or at school-sponsored activities;
b. use or possession of drugs without valid medical prescriptions; or manufacture, sale, or distribution of any controlled substance or mood altering chemical;
c. altered behavior made manifest through rowdiness, obscene or disorderly conduct, indecent appearance, conduct, expression, or other impaired functioning;
d. language which is profane, lewd, or in general unbecoming of a graduate student.
Altered behavior that indicates impairment will be addressed immediately and action will be taken to ensure the health and safety of the individual(s) involved, i.e. notification of emergency contact for transportation home.
Violations of this policy will be referred to the Vice President of Services and Operations (student conduct) or the Director of Human Resources (employee conduct) for review, investigation, and adjudication.
Violations of this policy may result in one or more of the following sanctions. Additional possible sanctions are noted in the Student Code of Conduct.
- Referral for American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) assessment, by an approved provider, to determine standards for level of intervention. Guidelines for ongoing enrollment or return to an MSP program will be contingent upon compliance with recommended standards of care.
- Written reprimand (disciplinary warning)
- Probation
- Suspension
- Dismissal
- Filing of a report of violations to city, state, or federal authorities, where appropriate, for prosecution and legal action.
Right to Appeal
Students shall have the right to appeal following the Appeal process outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
The Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program of the MSP will be reviewed on a biennial basis to determine its effectiveness and to ensure that disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.
