District Policies

C450 Drug Prevention and Drug Testing

1. Statement of Policy

The School Board recognizes that in the course of exploring new ideas and broadening their base of experiences, students may make poor choices and take unacceptable risks with a high probability of long-term negative consequence. When this happens, it is the responsibility of the Board, and the staff it employs, to intervene. The use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are examples of poor choices that require interventions such as those implemented through this Policy.

In adopting a policy providing for the detection of the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, the Board’s objectives are to:

Detect and act on a student’s poor choices while the effects and consequences are reversible;
Discourage all members of the school community from using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco;
Reduce injuries and illness which may be caused by students using drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or e-cigarettes; and
Educate all students about the harm caused by the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. See Policy A250.

2. Board Findings in Support of This Policy

The Board finds a need in its school community to address illegal drug, alcohol, and tobacco use by its students based upon:

The extensive congressional findings in the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994 ((20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.);
I.C. 20-30-5-11 directing that the Corporation provide instruction concerning the harmful effects of illegal drugs;
I.C. 35-46-1-10.5 which makes it unlawful for individuals under the age of 21 to possess tobacco or tobacco products;

3. Scope of Testing

Students may be tested through voluntary testing which requires parental permission or required testing based on individualized, reasonable suspicion, or random testing for high school athletics, extracurricular activities, and driving.

3a. Individualized Suspicion

All students, regardless of age, who exhibit behavior which leads [School] authorities to have reasonable suspicion to suspect the student is under the influence of a controlled substance, may be immediately required to submit to a drug/alcohol screen administered at [School]’s expense. Furthermore, [School] may subject items in said student’s possession to test to determine if those items contain drugs or alcohol. [School] may pay for such testing of items in student’s possession.

Factors which the administration will consider may include, but are not limited to:

1. Odor of alcohol/marijuana/smoke;

2. Glassy, dilated, bloodshot eyes, or dark circles under eyes;

3. Appears dazed, giddy;

4. Staggering walk;

5. Slurred or rapid speech;

6. Incoherent thought processes;

7. Disruptive, aggressive, physically threatening, out of control, or unusual behavior;

8. Bragging or talking to other students about alcohol or drug use;

9. Noticeable withdrawal from favorite activities and friends, or

10. Physical indicators from an objective assessment by the school nurse or health care

representative.

If the test is positive, all future drug tests will be done at the parent’s/guardian’s or student’s expense. The administration will make a reasonable attempt to apprise the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the situation.

3b. Random Drug Testing

Objectives:

The purpose of the random (“suspicionless”) testing program is not punitive, but to assist students and their parents in deterring drug/substance use and aiding any users to cease this harmful practice by providing a minimally intrusive diagnostic tool to identify and disclose it to parents, while rendering other assistance to guide students toward healthy, safe, and drug-free participation in school activities. This is not intended to deprive students of school attendance or to affect academic progress. Students involved in athletics and/or extracurricular activities and who park vehicles on school grounds need to be free of drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances in order to safely and successfully participate in these activities. The need to ensure student health and safety is the primary reason for restricting students from participating in school extracurricular activities, athletics, and parking on school grounds if they test positive for drug/alcohol abuse.

Composition of the Group to Be Tested

All High School students who participate in extracurricular activities, athletics, or are issued a [School] parking permit, or voluntarily enters the program with parental/guardian consent (collectively, “Activities”) are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, and are deemed to have consented to the student drug and alcohol testing program. A consent form will be provided and is required to be executed by the student and parent/guardian.

4. Use of Test Results

The program is not intended to be punitive or disciplinary in nature. Its purpose is to identify a student with drug/alcohol residues in his/her system, to provide notification to the parent/guardian, and to educate, help and direct students away from drug and alcohol use and toward a healthy, safe, and drug-free participation in school activities.

The result of a positive test will be shared with the appropriate individuals involved with the student’s Activities and a determination will be made regarding the student’s participation in those Activities moving forward. Test results will be secured in a location accessible only by a designated administrator.

5. Refusal to Submit to a Drug Test, Tampering with Testing Procedure, or Other

Violations of Policy

Refusal to submit to a drug test will be considered an admission of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Further, tampering with testing procedures or other violations of this Policy constitute violations of school rules and will be dealt with according to the student discipline procedures outlined in [School] student handbook.

6. Periodic Summary of Test Results

The Testing Coordinator shall periodically, at least once a semester, report to the Superintendent on the results of testing pursuant to this Policy. Along with these reports, the Testing Coordinator shall summarize any disputes that have arisen in the implementation and any proposed changes in this Policy. At least once a school year, the Superintendent shall make a written report to the Board on the results of the implementation of this Policy.

7. Superintendent may develop administrative guidelines to implement this policy.