Addiction or abuse of alcohol or other substances of abuse is a serious issue among
healthcare providers, and pharmacists in general. The College of Pharmacy understands
the seriousness of the problem and also recognizes addiction as a disease that results
in harm to both the patient with the disease and those around them. The College is
committed to educating students concerning alcoholism and other substances of abuse
and assisting students with addiction problems who seek help. In addition, the College
conducts random drug screening of student urine and hair samples to identify students
with substance abuse problems.
Current College policy provides for a partnership with the Louisiana State Board of
Pharmacy to assist students with evaluation and treatment of substance abuse problems.
Students who come forward with a history of substance use, abuse, or addiction, prior
to a positive drug screen are suspended for one academic year and referred to the
Louisiana Board of Pharmacy for assessment, treatment and monitoring. Such students
are allowed to re-enter into the College of Pharmacy Program after their suspension
provided they complete the requirements of the Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy and
are able to maintain a current Pharmacy Intern License in the State of Louisiana.
Reinstatement to the program may be accompanied by further requirements and/or sanctions
by the Committee on Ethical and Professional Conduct.
Students screening positive for illegal substances, prescription drugs not prescribed
for them, or designer drugs, prior to seeking assistance, will be dismissed from the
program. Students wishing to appeal this dismissal may do so through the Committee
on Ethical and Professional Conduct; However, no student with a positive drug screen
will be readmitted to the College of Pharmacy prior to undergoing an assessment, treatment
and monitoring program with the Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy.
Students identified as abusers of alcohol, including binge drinking or having an addiction
to alcohol may also be required to seek assessment, treatment and monitoring.
The College reserves the right to deny admission to students having a problem with
the abuse and/or addiction to alcohol or other substances of abuse or dismiss students
identified with these problems that refuse assessment, treatment and monitoring.
Discipline
In the interest of public health and safety, all students enrolled in the professional
program of the College of Pharmacy shall self-disclose to the Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs (ADAA) any tickets or charges since the initial program application involving
alcohol or illegal drugs or misdemeanors and felonies of any type no later than five
(5) business days following the arrest, ticket or charge. Details and disclosure form
can be found at: http://ulm.edu/pharmacy/documents/ospa/selfdisclosureform.pdf
Emotional Support and Mental Health Counseling Services
Counseling Services - Monroe Campus
Students with learning, psychological or chemical dependency issues may seek assistance,
referrals for treatment, and assistance with follow up care through the OSPA.
The OSPA also provides an in-house licensed mental health counselor. The counselor
provides brief solution focused counseling services for a variety of issues including
stress management, time management, anxiety, homesickness, and relationship difficulties.
If counseling needs cannot be met in 3 to 5 sessions with the counselor, referrals
are made to one of three ULM campus facilities, the Counseling Center, the Community
Counseling Center and the Marriage and Family Center. Community resources are also
used when necessary. The methods for referrals vary according the needs of the student
at that moment. Often, students will make their own appointment with the different
agencies or, for others, the counselor will make the appointment for them. Even after
students have been referred to other services, the OSPA continues to follow their
progress to insure they are getting the needed assistance.
Counseling Services - Satellite Campuses
Shreveport and New Orleans Campuses each have a faculty contact person (CP) to assist
students in need (SNN) of mental health or emotional support. The CP will act as a
guide for the SNN only and is not expected to provide any care outside their scope
of practice or personal level of comfort.
When a College of Pharmacy faculty member identifies that a student is struggling
with issues that are interfering with his/her ability to perform on rotations, they
should reach out to their campus CP and refer the SNN to the CP. The CP and SNN, with
the support of OSPA, will identify the student’s needs and make arrangements together
for the student to receive proper care.
While the SNN is receiving proper care, the CP should remain informed of their progress
and, in turn, keep OSPA informed of the progress.
Counseling Contacts
Monroe - OSPA
Cell: 318-791-9192
New Orleans
Cell: 419-283-3601
Shreveport
Cell: 318-820-5451
Clinics/Therapists
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Counseling Center 716 Adams Street New Orleans, LA 70118 Phone: 504-813-1457
The Uptown Counseling Center of NOLA 7611 Maple Street B-3 New Orleans, LA 70118 Phone: 504-442-5128
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center of New Orleans 4904 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA 70115 Phone: 504-383-3815
College of Pharmacy
