Alcohol, Drugs and Other Dangerous Substances

Amended date: 3/6/2024

Provided by: Department of Public Safety, Operations Department 

Related Links and Resources: 

• Collective bargaining agreements   
• Faculty: Faculty should refer to the handbook of their primary school affiliation for guidance. 
• Postdoctoral Scholars Handbook   
• Drug Free Workplace Policy 

This policy applies to all staff, temporary staff, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, independent contractors, affiliates or any other members of the Tufts community, including those hired contractually or who work under faculty or postdoctoral scholar handbooks, or who are otherwise covered by a collective bargaining agreement.  

Tufts University recognizes that the abuse of drugs and/or alcohol severely impairs the ability of employees to support our mission of providing the highest quality academic programs. The University supports constructive measures to deal with these problems, and strongly encourages employees with drug and alcohol problems to seek appropriate treatment. However, Tufts cannot and will not tolerate drug or alcohol abuse in the workplace. 

In order to assure a safe and efficient work environment, Tufts University has adopted a formal Alcohol, Drugs and Other Dangerous Substance policy. As a recipient of Federal program funding, the University must certify under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. The foregoing policy is one part of that program. As a condition of employment with Tufts, employees must abide by the terms of this policy. 

Tufts University prohibits the unlawful or unauthorized manufacture, dispensation, distribution, sale, possession, and use of controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol on Tufts University property, university activities off- campus, including university-sponsored field trips and study abroad programs, while otherwise on University business (whether or not on University property), while driving a University vehicle or driving a personal vehicle for University business, or while representing the University. Employees also are prohibited from reporting to work or working while they are using or under the influence of alcohol, any drugs as well as any controlled substances which may impact an employee’s ability to perform the employee’s job or otherwise pose safety concerns, except when the use is pursuant to a licensed medical practitioner’s instructions and the licensed medical practitioner authorized the employee to report to work.  However, to the extent permitted by and in accordance with applicable law, this exception does not extend any right to report to work under the influence of medical marijuana or to treat the lawful use of medical marijuana as a defense to a policy violation or a positive drug test, to the extent you are subject to any drug testing requirement.  

In addition, Federal law requires that any employee notify the University if the employee is convicted of any criminal drug statute for a violation occurring in the workplace, no later than five (5) days after such a conviction. Tufts is required to notify the relevant funding agency, within the ten (10) days of receiving such notice, of any applicable conviction involving employees engaged in work on a federal grant or contract. 

Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. 

The University maintains a policy of non-discrimination and will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations to assist employees recovering from substance and alcohol dependencies, and those who have a medical history that reflects treatment for substance abuse conditions. Employees in need of assistance in dealing with substance abuse issues are strongly encouraged to utilize the confidential assistance and services offered through Tufts’ Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider. They can be reached at 1-800-648-9557. Additionally, in the discretion of the University, any employee who violates this policy may be required, in connection with or in lieu of disciplinary sanctions, to participate to the University's satisfaction in an approved drug assistance or rehabilitation program.  However, employees may not request an accommodation to avoid discipline for a policy violation. 

In order to maintain a drug-free workplace, the University has established a drug-free awareness program to educate employees on the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, our drug-free workplace policy, the availability of any drug-free counseling, rehabilitation and employee assistance programs and the penalties that may be imposed for violations of our drug-free workplace policy.  This policy and information about the related program will be distributed annually to all campus constituencies. A notice will be sent annually in the fall to all faculty members, students and staff of the internet location of the current version of the program. Paper copies can also be obtained at any Public Safety or Human Resources Department Office on each campus.