Policy: 1.7 Alcohol and Drug Prevention

Adoption Date: July 30, 2019 – Revised

Howard College is committed to maintaining an alcohol- and drug-free environment and will not tolerate the use of alcohol and illegal drugs in the workplace, at college-related or college-sanctioned activities on or off college property. Employees, who use or are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs as defined by the Texas Controlled Substances Act during working hours, may be terminated.

Searches and Alcohol and Drug Testing

Non-investigatory searches in the workplace including accessing an employee’s desk, file cabinets, work area, or college-owned technology to obtain information needed for usual business purposes may occur when an employee is unavailable. Therefore, employees are hereby notified that they have no legitimate expectation of privacy in those places. In addition, the college reserves the right to conduct searches when there is reasonable cause to believe a search will uncover evidence of work-related misconduct. Such an investigatory search may include drug and alcohol testing if the suspected violation relates to drug or alcohol use. The college may require an employee to submit to a drug or alcohol test, search the employee, the employee’s personal items, and work areas including college-owned technology resources, lockers, and vehicles. If an employee refuses to submit any search, they may be terminated.

Level 3 security positions will be tested pre-employment and on an annual basis.

Employees Required to Have a Commercial Driver’s License.

Any employee whose duties require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is subject to drug and alcohol testing. Employees who primarily perform duties other than driving are subject to testing requirements if their duties include driving a commercial motor vehicle.

Drug testing will be conducted before an individual assumes driving responsibilities. Alcohol and drug tests will be conducted when reasonable suspicion exists and at random. Testing may be conducted following accidents.