LAC 46:LIV.351. Substance Abuse and Habitual Intemperance [Formerly §327]

A. As used in R.S. 37:2420.A (5) of the Practice Act, "habitually intemperate" means: 1. repeated excessive use or abuse of alcohol; or 2. the ingestion, self-administration, or other use of legally controlled substances or medications which affect the central nervous system, other than pursuant to and used in accordance with a lawful prescription and/or medical advice; or 3. repeated excessive use or abuse of any mood altering or mind altering substance that may negatively impact the ability of a licensee to safely practice physical therapy. B. As used in R.S. 37:2420.A of the Practice Act, the phrase "abused controlled dangerous substances as defined by federal or Louisiana law" means physiological or psychological dependence on any legally controlled substance or medication with a potential for inducing physiological or psychological dependence or tolerance. C. If the board receives apparently reliable information, including, but not limited to, reports made pursuant to R.S. 37:1745.14, which information or report puts in question a licensee’s or applicant’s current fitness and ability to practice physical therapy with reasonable skill and safety to patients, the licensee or applicant shall submit to such physical or mental examination, evaluation, test, or drug/alcohol screen as requested by the executive director to determine the licensee’s or applicant’s fitness and ability to practice physical therapy with reasonable skill and safety to patients. D. A respondent shall appear for drug screening and testing at the facility designated by the executive director within six hours of initial contact by the board representative sent to the telephone number or email address designated for such purposes by respondent pursuant to §355, or as otherwise provided in the rules. E. Records of such examinations, evaluations, tests, and screens shall be maintained by the board in confidence unless such records are admitted into the record of any adjudication proceeding before the board or subpoenaed by a court order.