UI COM Drug Screen Policy
Drug Screening Prior to Matriculation
This policy applies to all medical students matriculating to the University of Illinois College of Medicine. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all students entrusted with the health, safety, and welfare of patients operate in clinical settings with good judgment and behave ethically. Substance use can impair a student’s capacity to safely function, compromising patient safety. It is imperative that the college promotes safe and high-quality patient care, while also identifying students who may need support, treatment, and intervention. Given that students may begin interacting with patients as early as the first week of school, drug testing (10-panel drug screen) must be paid for by the student and completed at University Health Services, or a designated testing facility, and results uploaded into Castlebranch by the date as designated by Admissions.
Although Illinois law allows for the use of medical marijuana and recreational marijuana in certain circumstances, federal laws prohibit marijuana use, possession, and distribution on property owned by institutions of higher education and during any activities operated by such institutions. In addition, Illinois law states that colleges and universities are not prevented from prohibiting marijuana, consistent with federal law. As such, the use, possession, and distribution of marijuana at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, on other University property, or in connection with any part of the University’s educational or other activities, regardless of where those activities occur, remains prohibited. Moreover, in order to rotate at clinical sites, all College of Medicine students are bound by the policies and procedures of clinical sites, which may be more restrictive and forbid the use of certain substances even if that use is off-site or would otherwise be considered legal under state or local law (e.g., medical marijuana, cannabis for recreational use).
Clerkship Drug Screening
It is expected that students comply with clerkship site-specific drug screening policy and/or procedure.
Non-negative Drug Screen Results
In the event that a student has a non-negative drug screen result, the student and the student’s Office of Student Affairs at the College of Medicine will be notified by University Health Services (UHS).
Within 1-2 business days of notification, the student must contact UHS to schedule and undergo a Fitness-for-Participation evaluation with UHS healthcare personnel in-person or via telehealth as determined by UHS. The student will remain out of the curriculum until the evaluation is completed and UHS has notified the student’s Office of Student Affairs that the student can return to the curriculum or needs to meet further requirements prior to returning to the curriculum, which may necessitate modifications in the student’s educational plan.
Evaluations completed by UHS are confidential. The only information reported to the College of Medicine will be whether the student is able to resume the curriculum or if further requirements are necessary prior to the student returning to the curriculum.
Students who decline or fail to complete requirements as recommended by UHS, will undergo further review by their Campus College Student Promotions Committee, which may include a recommendation to the College Committee on Student Promotions.
If a student is not in good standing and/or has an academic or behavioral/professional deficiency, the student will be referred to their Campus College Student Promotions Committee for further review, which may include a recommendation to the College Committee on Student Promotions, including requiring a leave of absence or dismissal as appropriate.