3002: Drug Free Workplace

It is vitally important to have a healthy workforce that is free from the effects of illegal drugs. The use or possession of unlawful drugs in the workplace has a very detrimental effect upon safety and morale of the affected employee, coworkers, and the public at large; and on productivity and the quality of work.

Federal law requires this ESU, as a recipient of federal funds, to maintain a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance in the ESU’s workplace is prohibited. The term "workplace" includes every location where ESU employees may be found during their working hours or while they are on duty, regardless of whether the location is within the geographic boundaries of the ESU. Any employee who violates this policy will be disciplined with measures up to and including discharge. The ESU may, in its sole discretion, require or allow an employee who violates this policy to participate in and satisfactorily complete a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

The ESU shall provide every current employee with a copy of this policy, and shall provide each newly hired employee with a copy upon hiring. Every employee shall be required to signify receipt of a copy of the policy in writing. All ESU employees must abide by this policy, including those who are not directly engaged in the performance of work pursuant to a federal grant.

An employee must notify the ESU Administrator of any conviction of a criminal drug statute for a violation occurring in the workplace within five days. The failure to report such a conviction will be grounds for dismissal. If the employee convicted of such an offense is engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the provisions of a federal grant, the ESU shall notify the grant agency within 10 days of receiving notice of a conviction from the affected employee or of receiving actual notice of such a conviction.

Adopted on: June 9, 2008
Revised on: June 11, 2018
Reviewed on: May 9, 2011
Reviewed on: June 14, 2021