The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) Amendment of 1989 requires UH West Oʻahu to certify to the U.S. Department of Education that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees. UH West Oʻahu is in compliance with the requirements of the Act. UH West Oʻahu also complies with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988.

UH Executive Policy EP 11.201, pertaining to Illegal Drugs, Alcohol and Substance Abuse, states, among other things, that students, faculty and staff are expected to perform their duties free of intoxication by any illegal drugs or alcohol, and that students, faculty and staff are expected to observe laws regulating illegal drugs and may be subject to investigation and/or prosecution for illegal drug use. Notification of the information contained in the Drug Abuse and Alcohol Prevention Program (DAAPP) is distributed to all currently enrolled students and employees of UH West Oʻahu via email on or around September 25 of each year by the UH System Office of Human Resources.

UH West Oʻahu, through its Campus Compliance Hui, provides programming and awareness each semester regarding the dangers and effects of drugs, alcohol and substance abuse during campus events such as: One Billion Rising, Healing Soles and E Ala Pono. In addition, brochures and workshops presented by our campus Counseling staff are also provided throughout the year.

It is the policy of UH West Oʻahu to comply with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 and its amendments (DFSCA). The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act require UH West Oʻahu to adopt and put into effect programs to prevent the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol by students and employees on UH West Oʻahu property, at UH West Oʻahu sponsored activities or events, and to offer anti‐drug and alcohol abuse programming. These federal regulations also require UH West Oʻahu to distribute annually to students and employees information which outlines the following. The Annual Security Report will provide detailed information on items 1-4:

1. The health risks associated with alcohol and drug use and abuse;
2. Alcohol and drug abuse resources for students and employees;
3. Information on state, municipal and federal laws and sanctions;
4. Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of its on-campus or off-campus activities; and
5. Policies on alcohol and other drugs, UH Executive Policy EP 11.201, Illegal Drugs, Alcohol and Substance Abuse.

These guidelines are reviewed by UH West Oʻahu annually to determine the effectiveness of the program and consistency of sanction enforcement, in order to identify and implement any necessary changes. Anyone receiving funding from federal sources should carefully read the section on “Special requirements for those working on or with federal contracts and grants.”

UH West Oʻahu recognizes that illegal or abusive use of alcohol and other drugs by members of the university community has a detrimental effect on the university’s commitment to provide continual excellence in teaching, research and education. Misuse of drugs by students poses hazards both to the individual involved and to the community. Students share with faculty and staff the responsibility for creating attitudes conducive to eliminating the abuse of alcohol and other drugs within the university community. UH West Oʻahu’s comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse emphasizes:

• Taking effective steps to create and maintain a drug-free workplace and educational environment for students, faculty and staff.
• Providing continuous access to prevention, health promotion and medical and behavioral healthcare services, along with referrals to off-campus treatment facilities as appropriate.
• Encouraging individuals who are experiencing problems associated with alcohol and other drugs to seek assessment and treatment.
• Engaging in ongoing self-assessment of university sanctions for the illegal manufacture, distribution, use or possession of drugs and the unlawful possession or use of alcohol. Details of the sanctions can be found in our Annual Campus Security Report.

All this information can be viewed via the Biennial Review that UH West Oʻahu is required to complete every two years.