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Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Treatment

UC Merced is committed to a drug-free campus and workplace. Abusing drugs during work time is strictly prohibited. The University encourages employees who have a problem with the use of controlled substances or alcohol to seek professional advice and treatment. Information about health risks, University resources, and local Merced County resources are outlined below:

Health Risks

Improper use of drugs or alcohol can seriously injure the health of employees and students, impair the performance of their responsibilities and endanger the safety and well-being of fellow employees, students and members of the general public.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides a comprehensive description of the health consequences of drug misuse. Please see:

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides a comprehensive description of the effects alcohol has on the body. Please see:

University and Other Resources 

The Insight Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Insight EAP offers employees and their household dependents three free private and confidential counseling sessions every six months with a licensed professional to assist with work/life concerns. Insight EAP provides tools and resources for drug and alcohol awareness and screening as well as links to external resources. Because of the nature of EAPs being short term and solution focused, it offers assessment, intervention, consultation and referral services as it pertains to addiction rather than long term treatment.
Insight provides a variety of information and resources in the form of articles, assessments and also links to third party resources such as Alcoholics Anonymous, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute on Drug Abuse. The information and resources offered approach the topic from an educational perspective with regard to the disease state, social/emotional wellbeing, psychological issues and so on. EAP has a host of programs addressing:
  • Drug Dependency
  • Opioid Use and Abuse
  • Problem Drinking
  • Tobacco Cessation
  • Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST 10)
  • Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
  • A program called "55 Days to Quitting”
Tools and resources are available at http://www.insighteap.com/. Select “Employee Resources” then on the link titled “Visit Personal Advantage” user name: UCMerced and password: 10540 for access.

 

The Office of the Ombuds 

     The Office of the Ombuds is a safe confidential and informal place where UC Merced faculty, staff and student can go for informal assistance with managing conflict, complaints, and concerns with a colleague, classmate, supervisor or anyone else on campus. The Ombuds will listen; help identify options; make inquiries and make referrals as appropriate; and/or facilitate resolutions in an impartial manner.
 
     Office of the Ombuds plays a crucial role in providing support and guidance to individuals dealing with alcohol and drug use issues. They offer a confidential and impartial space for visitors to discuss their concerns and explore potential solutions. This might include discussing relevant policies, providing information on available resources and support services, and helping individuals navigate their options for seeking assistance or treatment.
 
     The goal is to provide a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking help and finding the support they need to address their challenges. Office of the Ombuds operate and adhere to the ethical principles of confidentiality, impartiality, informality and independence and standard of practice under the International Ombuds Association (IOA).

 

Medical Plan Treatment/Recovery Resources 

All UC-sponsored medical plans include behavioral health benefits for mental health services and substance abuse treatment, including alcohol or drug abuse treatment. Coverage is provided by:

    • UC Blue & Gold HMO. Behavioral health and substance abuse coverage are provided by Health Net Behavioral Health (formerly known as MHN). Members may access care from Health Net Behavioral Health in-network providers. For information about your benefits, preauthorization for certain services, and help finding a provider, call Health Net Behavioral Health at 800-663-9355.
    • Kaiser HMO. Behavioral health and substance abuse coverage are provided by Kaiser and Optum. Kaiser members may access care from Kaiser behavioral health providers and from Optum in-network providers. For information about your benefits, preauthorization for certain services, and help finding a provider:
      • Optum — Call 888-440-8225
      • Kaiser (Southern California) — Call your local clinic or 800-900-3277 after hours
      • Kaiser (Northern California) — Call your local clinic or 800-464-4000 after hours
    • PPO Plans: CORE, UC Care, UC Health Savings Plan. Behavioral health and substance abuse coverage are provided by Anthem Blue Cross. Benefits are included in your medical plan premium. Charges for routine office or telemental health visits vary by plan and provider type, and some services require preauthorization. For information about your benefits and help finding an in-network provider, call Anthem at 844-437-0486.
      • CORE members have access to Anthem in-network providers. There is a 20% coinsurance for covered services after meeting the deductible.
      • UC Care members have access to Anthem in-network providers and to out-of-network providers. If you see an in-network provider, there is no charge for your first three visits, then a $20 copayment. If you choose to see an out-of-network provider, you'll pay 50% coinsurance and you may need to pay your provider directly for services and submit a claim for reimbursement.
      • UC Health Savings Plan (HSP) members have access to Anthem in-network providers and to out-of-network providers. After meeting the deductible, there is a 20% coinsurance for covered services from in-network providers and a 40% coinsurance for covered services from out-of-network providers. If you choose to see an out-of-network provider, you may need to pay your provider directly for services and submit a claim for reimbursement.

Tobacco Cessation Resources

UC is committed to providing a tobacco-free environment. To help those who want to quit smoking, the university offers a number of resources for faculty and staff.

All UC-sponsored medical plans provide the following:

  • Prescription nicotine replacement therapies, such as nicotine inhalers, sprays and medications, at no additional cost when prescribed by a physician.
  • Over-the-counter nicotine replacement products are available, at no cost when prescribed by a physician.
  • You can participate in behavioral modification programs to help you quit smoking, but it is not required to receive these benefits.

In addition, some medical plans offer additional resources; copays and program fees may apply.

New Employee Orientation 

During the introductory discussions of UC Merced principles of community, policies, and procedures a slide summarizing the University of California Policy on Substance Abuse and making references to the online comprehensive policy document is reviewed. During the Benefits session of NEO, a slide is dedicated to wellness programs that goes over DAAPP along with other wellness offerings. 

UCHR - Systemwide Well Being Webinar

UCHR-Systemwide Well Being Initiative: Stigma Free UC Presents: The Neglected Addict: Understanding Stigma, Students, and Recovery (July 2018) available online here.

Merced County Resources

Nationwide Resources

The following resources exist to assist people in alcohol and drug treatment and recovery. These services are not endorsed by UC Merced but are available as a community service.

DAAPP Website 

UC Merced is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and supportive learning and working environment for students and employees. UC Merced’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program (DAAPP) is intended to support student and employee health, safety and security by increasing awareness, preventing abuse, and decreasing potential drug and alcohol related crime. For more information, visit UC Merced’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs (DAAPP) website