Srishti Manipal is committed to providing a safe, secure and conducive educational / work environment for every individual to achieve her or his true potential. Srishti Manipal has a Zero tolerance policy towards Substance usage on campus and off campus, including private and paying guest accommodations and on any form of transportation to and from Srishti Manipal.

Srishti Manipal Policy on Substance Abuse ( “Policy’) is committed to ensuring that substance usage is prohibited, prevented and eliminated.

Any and all forms of substance abuse are not tolerated.

Any and all forms of substance abuse, is deemed and mandated as unlawful and will be subject to penalties in accordance with applicable law.

Srishti Manipal Policy on Substance Abuse prohibits the possession, use and/or sale, purchase, transfer and distribution of illegal drugs and alcohol, in /on and around its Institute Premises at all times. It also prohibits the sale, purchase, transfer and distribution of drug paraphernalia.

This Policy addresses and includes; alcohol, drugs and other intoxicants. The purpose of this Policy is to clarify the rules regarding possession, consumption and distribution of intoxicants within the Institute, owned or operated buildings, property and grounds including administrative, instructional and research facilities.

A. Definitions under Srishti Manipal Substance Abuse Policy

• A “substance” includes alcohol, illegal drugs, inhalants, and prescription and over-the counter drugs.
• An “illegal drug” is any substance that is illegal to use, possess, sell, or transfer, as per applicable law.
• “Drug paraphernalia” are any items used or intended for use in making, packaging, concealing, injecting, inhaling, or consuming illegal drugs or inhalants.
• A “prescription drug” is any substance prescribed for an individual by a licensed health care provider.
• An “inhalant” is any substance that produces mind-altering effects when inhaled.
• “Institute Premises” include all buildings, grounds, parking lots, and transport provided by the Institute.  Areas where the use is strictly prohibited include: student campus activities, classrooms, parking lots, roadways, leisure activity areas, private and paying guest accommodations and all offices or work areas which are considered as Institute property, including areas the Institute has rights over.

B. An individual is deemed to be “under the influence” if any substance:

• Impairs one’s behaviour or ability to work safely and productively;
• Results in a physical or mental condition that creates a risk to one’s own safety, the safety of others, or campus property; or
• Is shown to be present in one’s body, by laboratory evidence, in one or more than one identifiable trace.

Any violation of this Policy will result in strict disciplinary action by the Institute, as deemed appropriate and necessary, under the rules and regulations of the Institute which are prescribed and approved by the Director and Governing Council of the Institute and applicable law.

Further;
(i) Srishti Manipal reserves the right to inspect the Institute Premises for these substances, at any given time.
(ii) Srishti Manipal reserves the right to conduct alcohol and drug tests at any given time. Srishti Manipal may cancel an admission or terminate one’s enrolment and /or employment if one violates this Policy, refuses to be tested, or provides false information.
(iii) All disciplinary action to be taken by Srishti Manipal with regard to breach of this Policy shall be at the sole discretion of Srishti Manipal, based on the findings of the Institute Disciplinary Committee.

C. RULES

• One may not use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol on Institute Premises.
• One may not use, possess, sell, distribute and / or be under the influence of illegal drugs.
• One may not sell, buy, transfer, or distribute any drugs. It is against the law to do so and there will be legal consequences.
• One may not use, possess, sell, buy, transfer, or distribute drug paraphernalia.
• One may not use or be under the influence of inhalants.
• One may use a prescription drug only if a licensed health care provider prescribed it within the last year. One must follow directions, including dosage limits and usage cautions.
• One must keep these prescription drugs in their original containers or bring only a single-day supply.
• Srishti Manipal may consult with a doctor to determine if a prescription or over-the-counter drug may create a risk if one uses it on the campus.
• One may not use machinery while taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs that will or is likely to impair one’s ability to work safely. This includes driving vehicles.

Further;

• In addition, this Policy prohibits the unlawful manufacture, dispensing or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by any individual on Institute premises, while conducting Institute business off the premises, or as part of any Institute sponsored/related activities.
• An individual must cooperate with any investigation into substance abuse. An investigation may include tests to detect the use of alcohol, drugs, or inhalants.
• This policy delineates the appropriate action to take in the event that any individual exhibits behavior consistent with alcohol or drug use in the Institute Premises.

D. PROCEDURE

When in the judgment of the individual, a determination is made that there is unauthorized use or possession of alcohol, controlled substances or the use or possession of illegal drugs, or if behavior or work performance of any individual gives rise to performance related concerns that may indicate a need for drug and alcohol testing or some other action, the following procedure shall be used.

(i) Testing

Testing may include urine, blood, or breathalyser tests. Before testing, an individual will be given the opportunity to explain the use of any drugs / intoxicants. Srishti Manipal will follow all applicable laws to keep test results confidential.

(ii) Disciplinary Action

Any individual violating this Policy; shall face disciplinary action, which shall include the following:

• Immediate suspension from Srishti Manipal (admission or employment) pending enquiry.
• If the individual is a student, the parent / legal guardian will be informed immediately and will be expected to meet the Director at the earliest.
• The Institute Disciplinary Committee will conduct an enquiry and submit the report to the Director who will initiate further action in consultation with the Executive Administrator and Dean of Students.

(iii)  Applicable Law- India

All offenders will be liable as per the penal provisions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (NDPS Act) and under all other applicable laws.

E. ASSISTANCE

Srishti Manipal assistance program provides education on alcohol, drugs and narcotics abuse. Referrals to certified medical practitioners for consultation / treatment can be facilitated.The names, contact numbers / email details of certified medical professionals will be published on posters, notice / bulletin boards in each campus.

Srishti Manipal will endeavour to work towards prevention programmes based on enhancement of knowledge, skills for refusing peers, development of appropriate coping and social skills, stress reduction methods, focusing on normative behaviour and involvement of families.

Note: This policy will be subject to change. Please check the Srishti Manipal website for continuous updates and revisions to the policy.