CUNY School of Medicine Drug Policy
Although the State of New York recently passed a law legalizing the use of recreational marijuana in New York for those age 21and older, the use and possession of marijuana on CUNY School of Medicine’s campus remains prohibited under federal law and drug tests conducted under this policy will continue to test for the presence of marijuana. City University of New York campuses are bound by the federal requirements under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. Under this requirement, the use, possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana remains prohibited on all CUNY campuses and subject to disciplinary action. Physicians cannot be impaired when practicing medicine whether they are using cannabis for medical purposes or for recreational use. If the physician is impaired from cannabis and/or any other controlled substance or alcohol, the physician puts their patient at risk. This rule applies to students on clinical rotation or other activities interacting with patients. Students may cannot be under the influence of cannabis as students are considered members of the healthcare team
Drugs & drug testing
Federal and State Regulations regarding alcohol and controlled substance abuse are identified in Appendix II of the Student Handbook. The CUNY School of Medicine requires that all students comply with current New York State law and CUNY policies regarding the use of substances to remain eligible for clinical activities (even if they visit another locality, state, or foreign country where such substances may be permitted). Students shall be responsible for assuring that they do not participate in activities or ingest substances when visiting other U.S. states or foreign countries which may cause them to be ineligible to participate in clinical activities because these substances are not permitted in New York State. Failure to do so is a violation of Medical School policy and is subject to academic sanctions for failure to comply with CUNY and CUNY School of Medicine academic standards, as well as potential disciplinary charges.
Cannabis Use
Physicians cannot be impaired when practicing medicine whether they are using cannabis for medical purposes or for recreational use. If a physician is impaired from cannabis and/or any other controlled substance or alcohol, the physician puts their patient at risk. This rule applies to students on clinical rotation or other activities interacting with patients. Students cannot be under the influence of cannabis as students are considered members of the healthcare team. Many of the CUNY School of Medicine’s clinical partners require drug testing to ensure patient safety
When the Medical School receives notification that a medical student has a positive drug test, either from a clinical site or from a drug test that may have been voluntarily undertaken by the student (e.g., such as in preparation for an away elective), the following shall occur:
1. The student will be notified by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs (or designee) that a positive drug test report has been received.
2. The student will be informed that he/she must take another drug test (usually within one week of our receipt of the drug test report) through CertifiedBackground.com, or another approved vendor, at the student’s expense.
3. The student will not be allowed to participate in clinical activities until clearance (fitness for duty) has been obtained.
4. If the second drug test is negative, then the student will resume participation in clinical activities and warned that any subsequent positive drug tests will lead to appearance before the Student Academic Progress Committee (SAPC) and/or possible external reporting to the New York State Committee for Physician Health.
5. If the second drug test is positive or if the student declines to take a second drug test, then the student will be required to appear before the SAPC for consideration of academic probation/suspension/leave. The student may be reported to the New York State Committee for Physician Health.
Information about the positive second drug test and subsequent outcome will be included in the Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE) for residency application.
Alcohol and Controlled Substance use
The CUNY School of Medicine has specific policies and consequences for substance use indicated below:
1. Violation of Alcoholic Beverages Policies:
Students are prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol while engaged in clinical or learning duties. Unlawful possession or use of alcohol as part of any Medical School required curricular activity is prohibited.
Students violating the alcoholic beverage policies will result in the following consequences:
● 1st Offense: The student will be placed on probation and referral to a community substance abuse program.
● 2nd Offense: Suspension for one semester; reinstatement subject to completion of a certified substance abuse program.
● 3rd Offense: Suspension for one year or expulsion if circumstances warrant.
2. Violation of Drugs Policies
Students are prohibited from unlawful possession of, consumption of, or being under the influence of controlled substances**, while taking part in any Medical School activity.
● 1st Offense: Probation and participation in a community substance abuse program and possible referral for criminal prosecution.
● 2nd Offense: Suspension for one semester; reinstatement subject to completion of a certified substance abuse program and possible referral for criminal prosecution.
● 3rd Offense: Suspension for one year or expulsion and possible referral for criminal prosecution.
3. Unlawful possession of any substance** with intent to sell or in quantities sufficient to constitute a felony under the Penal Law of New York State as part of any Medical School activity is prohibited. (See information on New York State felony drug offenses.
1st Offense: Expulsion and referral for criminal prosecution.
4. Unlawful distribution, dispensing, sale, attempted sale, or purchase of any substance** as part of any CSOM activity is prohibited.
1st Offense: Expulsion and referral for criminal prosecution.
5. Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia as part of any Medical School activity is prohibited
● 1st Offense: Probation and participation in a community substance abuse program and possible referral for criminal prosecution.
● 2nd Offense: Suspension for one semester; reinstatement subject to completion of a certified substance abuse program and possible referral for criminal prosecution.
● 3rd Offense: Suspension for one year or expulsion and possible referral for criminal prosecution.
** As used in this section “substance(s)” is any drug listed in the following Policy Statement.
Counseling, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Re-Entry Programs
Any student who may have developed a drug-related problem suspects he/she is at risk or seeks information about illegal or controlled drugs may seek confidential advice from the director of counseling services to an appropriate treatment program. Please note, however, that such a referral does not exempt any student from any action by the CUNY School of Medicine. A full range of detoxification, outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation, and re-entry programs is available in New York City. The programs listed below will refer clients based on individual needs.
Alcoholics Anonymous 212-870-3400
Al-Anon 212-941-0094
Greater NY Regional Help Line 212-929-6262
N.Y.S. Addictions Hotline 800-522-5353
Federal Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services 800-662-HELP
For medical students and PA students (licensed or unlicensed)
The Committee for Physicians’ Health at 800-338-1833 or
The Professional Assistance Program at 518-436-4723.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK CITY WITH TRACKS FOR IMPAIRED PROFESSIONALS
In-Patient Treatment Programs
South Beach Alcoholism Treatment Center, 777 Seaview Avenue, Bldg. #1, Staten Island, NY 10305: Most private insurances, Medicaid/Medicare, sliding scale for self-pay, no charge; adults 18 and over. (718) 667-5202
Out-Patient Treatment Programs
Arms Acres Manhattan Outpatient Services, 80-02 Q Garden Road, Q Garden, NY, 11415; 3584 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467. Most private insurance, sliding scale for self-pay; adults 18 and over; 3 months-1 year program; day, evening, and intensive care programs. ARMSACRES.COM/OUTPATIENT (888) 227-4641
Bedford Stuyvesant Alcoholism Treatment Center, 722 Myrte Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205: Most private insurance, Medicaid/ Medicare, sliding scale for self-pay, no charge; adults 18 and over; dual diagnosis program; alcoholism treatment only. (718) 636-4200
Bellevue Hospital Outpatient Clinic 462 1st Avenue at 30th Street, New York, NY 10016: Most private insurance, sliding scale for self-pay Medicaid/Medicare; adults 18 and over; alcoholism treatment only. G/I 212 562-4141, App 212 562-5555
Cumberland Neighborhood Family Care Center-Alcoholism Treatment Center, 100 North Portland Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205: Most private insurance, Medicaid/Medicare, sliding scale for self-pay, no charge; adults 21 and over; alcohol and other drugs; dual diagnosis program; length of program varies. (718) 260-7500
Montefiore North Medical Center (718) 920-9000
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, 327 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691: Most private insurance, sliding scale for self-pay, Medicare/Medicaid; adults 18-65; dual diagnosis program; average length of program 18 months. EHS.ORG (718) 869-7000