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Drug testing at Diaconia University of Applied Sciences

Students admitted to Diak must not have health conditions that prevent studies in their fields. Problematic drug abuse and problematic abuse of intoxicants/medicines will prevent a student from studying at Diak.

Under the Polytechnics Act 932/2014, Section 36, Diak may require a student to present a drug test certificate if:

  • the school has grounds to suspect e.g. on the basis of feedback from a teacher, a practical training supervisor or another reliable person that the student is under the influence of drugs while carrying out study-related practical duties or practical training, or that the student is addicted to drugs, and
  • the testing is necessary in order to determine the student’s functioning capability, and
  • the student has duties that require special precision, reliability, strength of judgement and response capacity, and
  • acting under the influence of drugs or being addicted to drugs in studyrelated practical duties or practical training seriously endangers the student himself/herself or
  • the life or health of another person, compromises confidential information or data integrity, or
  • significantly increases the risk of illegal trade, possession, use or distribution of drugs or medicines.

Diaconia University of Applied Sciences has drafted a substance abuse prevention policy for students that provides instructions for the prevention and reduction of the adverse effects of drugs and alcohol as well as for referral to treatment.

Procedure

After hearing the student, drug testing can be initiated by a teacher, a staff member or a practical training supervisor on the basis of his/her observations during studies. If the conditions for drug testing are fulfilled, the suspected student must be tested without delay. The person who initiates the procedure completes a form for the use of student health services. Drug testing takes place at the FSHS or FSHS service provider’s office.

The initiator completes the FSHS data transfer form for health care, which is signed by the Vice-Rector or a representative of Diak’s staff. The person who initiates the procedure notifies the vice rector or the head of education without delay and informs the relevant health service unit as soon as the student has been obligated to present a drug test certificate. The traineeship instructor can first contact the teacher supervising the student’s placement.

The student and the staff representative call FSHS’ national service number for assessing the need for treatment, tel. +358 46 7101073 and agree on the method of submitting the data transfer form to FSHS or FSHS Service Provider. Before testing, the student must prove his/her identity with a photo ID card (passport/driving licence/ID).

If you, as a student, are worried about a fellow student, you may consult student welfare group members about any observations. More detailed instructions are available in Diak’s substance abuse prevention policy for students.

In addition, an incident report is required. The form is treated as confidential. Incident reports are submitted via Falcony system. All reports are treated confidentially and stored according to the data management and archiving plan.

The vice rector contacts the student welfare group at the relevant site. The student welfare group offers support and referral to treatment for the student; this takes place through student health services in accordance with Diak’s referral model (Diaconia University of Applied Sciences substance abuse prevention policy for students).

The student must present the drug test certificate within the reasonable period of time set by the school (Polytechnics Act 932/2014, Section 36). At Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, students must present these certificates as soon as
possible, and no later than a week from receiving the test result. Students take these certificates to the vice rector.

Drug testing is carried out by a health care professional. Positive results must be confirmed in a certified laboratory (Polytechnics Act 932/2014, Section 36).

A drug test certificate includes information about whether the student has used drugs for other than medicinal purposes so that his/her functioning capability has been compromised. The certificate is given to the tested person (Polytechnics Act 932/2014, Section 36).

Diak carries the costs of this testing.

A refusal to present a drug test certificate may lead to disciplinary action (Polytechnics Act 932/2014, Section 36). (See Diak’s separate instruction on disciplinary actions.)

A positive test result may lead to disciplinary action if the student has used drugs for other than medicinal purposes so that his/her functioning capability has been compromised (Polytechnics Act 932/2014, Section 38). (See Diak’s separate instruction
on disciplinary actions.)

All information concerning the use of drugs is treated confidentially and test certificates are destroyed immediately after they are no longer required for processing the matter (Polytechnics Act 932/2014, Section 36).