Drug and Alcohol Awareness

PNWU maintains a commitment to its faculty, staff and students to provide a safe, drug-and-alcohol-free workplace and to establish programs promoting high standards of safety and health. The Drug and Alcohol policy is intended to prevent the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances, the abuse of alcohol or prescription drugs, and to prohibit the use or possession of drug-related paraphernalia, alcohol or other intoxicating substances in the workplace. 

PNWU recognizes that illegal use of controlled substances or abuse of alcohol poses a serious threat to the health and safety of the abuser, other faculty, staff and students.  Illegal drug use and the abuse of alcohol can result in significant health problems, contribute to lost productivity, can result in costs related to negative academic impacts, absenteeism, accidents, increased health care costs, loss of trained personnel, and can adversely affect PNWU’s educational mission.   

Alcohol and drug abuse can cause physical and emotional dependence.  Users may develop a craving for these substances and their bodies may respond to the presence of drugs in ways that lead to increased use.  Certain drugs, such as opiates, barbiturates, alcohol and nicotine create physical dependence.  When a regular user stops taking the drug, the body experiences the physiological trauma known as withdrawal.  Psychological dependence occurs when taking drugs becomes the center of the user’s life.  Some drugs have an effect on the mind and body for weeks or even months after drug use has stopped.  Drugs and alcohol can interfere with memory, sensation, and perception.  They can distort experiences and cause loss of self-control that can lead users to harm others as well as themselves.

There are programs available for those who abuse alcohol and/or drugs. You can find more information below, through the Student Assistance Program, or by contacting Student Affairs. The full policy can be found in the Student Catalog.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov