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Regulation Requirements

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 requires that institutions of higher education receiving federal funds or financial assistance must develop and implement a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. The program must include annual notification of the following: standards of conduct; a description of sanctions for violating federal, state, and local law and campus policy; a description of health risks associated with alcohol and drug use; a description of treatment options; and a biennial review of the program’s effectiveness and the consistency of the enforcement of sanctions.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs 

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ) is committed to keeping your health and safety a top priority. Alcohol and drug abuse remains a significant problem in the United States, and Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ continues to strongly promote an environment that discourages the inappropriate or illegal use of drugs and alcohol. Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ has adopted and implemented a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by all students and employees both on school premises and as part of any of its activities. TUHSC has designated a Committee to examine the current Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs, and sends out an annual notification to all Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ faculty, staff, residents, and students via email several times a year. The Office of Institutional Compliance is responsible for preparing and distributing Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s DAAPP Biennial Report in collaboration with the Committee. 

2024 Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs (DAAPP) Report

Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Policies

HSC OP: 10.03, Alcohol and Illegal Drugs policy prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illegal drugs on Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ property or as a part of any officially sponsored Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ activities.

HSC OP 10.03 Attachment A: Student, Faculty, Resident and Staff Guidelines outlines Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ's:

• Standards of conduct prohibiting the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.

• Local, state and federal laws and sanctions related to illicit drugs and alcohol.

• The health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol.

• Any drug or alcohol counseling, treatment, or other programs available to students and employees.

• Disciplinary sanctions on students, faculty and staff for violations of drug and alcohol standards of conduct. 

Additional Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Policies Related to Drug and Alcohol Abuse

HSC OP: 70.39, Drug-Free Workplace Policy

HSC OP: 70.39, Attachment A: Employee Consent and Release for Alcohol and Drug Testing Form

HSC OP: 52.06, Standards of Conduct and Ethics Guide

HSC OP: 10.19, Smoke, Tobacco and E-Cigarette Free Environment

Regents Rule, Personnel: Section 03.02.1

HSC OP: 70.41, Drug and Alcohol Testing for Safety-Sensitive Positions Requiring a Commercial Driver’s License

HSC OP: 70.41, Attachment A: Employee Consent Form for Alcohol/Drug Testing

HSC OP: 72.16, Official Functions, Business Meetings and Entertainment

HSC OP: 72.16, Attachment A: Pre-Approval Form for Official Functions

HSC OP: 72.16, Attachment B: Authorization to Serve Alcohol Form

School of Medicine OP: 20.12, Health, Wellness & Rehabilitation of Faculty, Physicians in Training (Fellows & Residents), & Students

School of Medicine OP: 40.07, Impaired Students

School of Nursing OP: 60.1115, Student Drug Testing

School of Nursing OP: 60.1115, Attachment A: Drug Testing Consent Form

School of Nursing OP: 60.1115, Attachment B: Drug Testing Reasonable Suspicion Reporting Form

School of Pharmacy OP: 77.P.44, Student Drug Screening Policy

School of Health Professions OP: ST.21, Student Drug Testing Policy

Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Student Handbook, Cood of Professional Conduct 

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December 2024

The holiday season is a time for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, office parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations. While the month of December marks a time of year for togetherness and appreciation, it also is statistically one of the most dangerous months for driving. The average American consumes double the number of alcoholic drinks over the holidays than any other time of the year. People tend to be more social during this time, attending three times more social functions and parties as well which leads to more drivers on the road.

Don't Drink and Drive This Holiday Season

Great American Smokeout

November 21, 2024

The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for people who smoke to commit to healthy, smoke-free lives – not just for a day, but year-round. The Great American Smokeout event challenges people to stop smoking and helps people learn about the many tools they can use to help them quit and stay quit.

Lower Your Risk of Cancer

National Recovery Month

September 2024

One of the four major dimensions of recovery is COMMUNITY, and our message to you is that building social supports and a caring community is essential for recovery. With the right treatment, support, and resources, recovery is possible for everyone. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in or seeking recovery from mental and substance use disorders. 

Building a Caring Community

International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31, 2024

International Overdose Awareness Day is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind. The theme for 2024 is "Together we can", highlighting the power of our community when we all stand together. 

Know the signs of an overdose when it comes to different drug types and learn how you can respond to an overdose.

FACT SHEET: CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE

FACT SHEET: OPIOIDS

FACT SHEET: NEW PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

FACT SHEET: STIMULANTS

FACT SHEET: ALCOHOL

FACT SHEET: DEPRESSANTS

National Fentanyl Awareness Day

May 7, 2024

Last year, over 70,000 Americans fatally overdosed on illegally made fentanyl. Fentanyl is now found in fake pills and many street drugs, but users are often unaware that their drugs contain the potent opioid. This is an urgent public health crisis that puts all of us, and our loved ones, at risk. We all must play a role in preventing further tragedies. According to the CDC, fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, and all other accidents. Among teenagers, overdose deaths linked to synthetic opioids like fentanyl tripled in the past two years.

National Fentanyl Awareness Day brings together individuals, parents, teachers, corporations, influencers, community groups, and government entities to help put an end to this emergency. The New Drug Talk is a short film to educate community members about the dangers of fentanyl and fake pills in the new and rapidly changing drug landscape. 

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week

March 18 – 24, 2024

Welcome to National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week!

DAY 1     ALCOHOL USE & YOUR HEALTH

DAY 2     BINGE DRINKING

DAY 3     ALCOHOL & OTHER SUBSTANCE USE

DAY 4     ALCOHOL-IMPAIRED DRIVING

DAY 5     DID YOU KNOW