20.04 Drug Free Environment

The ASCCC provides a drug-free workplace and has issued drug-free workplace statements to Executive Committee members or employees of the Academic Senate and to every person who works on federal or state grants for the ASCCC. The policy of the ASCCC is that the workplace is free from effects of drug and alcohol abuse. This policy is intended to avoid the dangers arising from substance abuse in the workplace. These dangers include death or injury to the Executive Committee members, employees, co-workers, or the public resulting from accidents, dereliction of duty, poor judgment, and carelessness. Substance abuse also results in the loss of productivity, reduced efficiency, and increased absenteeism by the substance abuser and interferes with the job performance of other Executive Committee members or employees.

This policy, which is consistent with Government Code Section 19572 and Governor's Executive Order D-58-86, states that no employee who is on duty shall (1) use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal or unauthorized drugs or other illegal mind-altering substances or (2) use or be under the influence of alcohol to any extent that would impede the employee's ability to perform his or her duties safely and effectively. In addition to  Government Code and Executive Order, federal and state grants require the application of items 1 and 2 above to individuals who work on such grants. Furthermore, no Executive Committee member, employee of the ASCCC or individual working on a federal or state grant on behalf of the ASCCC shall perform duties which, because of drugs taken under a legal prescription, the Executive Committee member, employee, or individual cannot perform without posing a threat to the health or safety of others.

California Law also prohibits the unlawful manufacture, dispensation, possession, or illegal use of a controlled substance. That prohibition extends to all places and includes the workplace of the ASCCC employee or individual working on ASCCC matters. In the event of the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or illegal use of a controlled substance at the ASCCC workplace or any ASCCC  function by any such person, the ASCCC may take disciplinary action according to the Executive Committee policies and require the satisfactory completion of a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program. In addition, the ASCCC will terminate the Executive Committee member's, committee member's, or employee's participation on all grants that require such action.

The ASCCC does not provide for any counseling, rehabilitation, or employee assistance for substance or alcohol abuse. Executive Committee members, employees of the ASCCC, or individuals working on ASCCC grants convicted of a violation of a criminal drug statute when the violation occurred at the workplace of the ASCCC shall report this violation to the executive director or president in writing within five working days of the conviction. The intent and expectation of the ASCCC is that each employee of the ASCCC and all individuals working on ASCCC business abide by the terms of this drug-free workplace statement.

Approved by ASCCC Executive Committee April 2021