STUDENT DRUGTESTING

POLICY 5530.01

ORIENTATION

http://mingoboe.us/policies.php

Office of Student Services and AttendanceDrema J. Dempsey, Director

Mingo County Board

of Education

Student Drug Testing Policy

• Beginning with the 2013-2014 school yearTesting in grades 9-12

Mingo Central High SchoolTug Valley High School

• Beginning with the 2014-2015 school yearTesting in grades 6-8

Middle Schools

Who is being tested?All athletes All students involved in co-curricular activities.

Students who volunteer to be in All students the programgranted permits foron-campusparking

Student Drug TestingConsent Form

• Each activity student, driving student or opt-in participant shall provide the school with a signed consent form.

• Consent forms must be signed by the student, parent, coach/sponsor/principal.

• No student will be allowed to practice or participate in any extracurricular activities involving interscholastic competition or drive and park on school property unless the student has returned the properly signed Student Drug Testing Consent Form.

Mingo County Schools

Student Drug TestingConsent Form

Activity Students:•Return your Drug Testing Consent Form to your coach or sponsorDriving Students:•Return your Drug Testing Consent Form to the schoolOpt-In Participants:•Return your Drug Testing Consent Form to the school

Mingo County Schools

WHY TEST?

Random Drug Testing is a powerful prevention program!Random Drug Testing serves as a deterrent to drug use

Creates a safe, drug-free learning environment

Gives students a credible reason to resist pressure to use drugs

Means to obtain counseling and treatment for youth involved in drugs

Purpose of the Drug Testing Program

1. To educate students of the serious physical, mental and emotional harm caused by illegal drug use.

2. To alert students with possible substance abuse problems and the parent/guardian, of the potential harms that drug use poses for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being and offer them the privilege of competition as an incentive to stop using such substances.

3. To support student programs that bar the intake of illegal and performance-enhancing drugs.

4. To prevent injury, illness, and harm to students that may arise as a result of using illegal and performance-enhancing drugs.

Purpose of the Drug Testing Program

5. To offer student practices, competition and school activities free of the effects of illegal and performance-enhancing drug use.

6. To assure the safe operation of student-driven vehicles on campus.

7. To undermine the effects of peer pressure by providing an additional legitimate reason for students to refuse to use illegal drugs.

The Drug Testing Program:

•Is NOT a means to suspend or expel students.

•Is NOT a “catch and punish” program.

•Is NOT a program involving law enforcement.

•Is NOT a punitive program, with academic consequences.

Drug testing is a means to educate students on the serious harm caused by illegal drug use.

When can a student be tested?

Randomly selected – equal probability of selection – computer program

Reasonable suspicion – based on appearance, speech, or behavior and/or information of illegal or performance-enhancing drug use

Students shall not receive prior notice of the testing date or time.

Who will do the testing?

• Independent Contractor – Certified Professional Testing Service

• Health Research Systems – Huntington, WV

• Testing service was selected through the bidding process

Type of Testing

Urinalysis is the most common drug testing method.

Advantage - Highest assurance of reliable results

Substances tested for may include, but are not limited to…

•Alcohol•Cocaine•Marijuana•Methadone•Performance-enhancing drugs, including anabolic steroids•Prescription Drugs (Darvon, Oxycodone, Valium, Vicodin, Percocet, etc.) •Phencyclidine (PCP)•Etc.

Administering the Test

Collection ProcedureWhat can students expect?

Students selected for testing will be escorted to the testing site. Students will remain under supervision until a sample is provided.The drug testing service will provide a certified specialist to monitor the collection of samples.

Administering the Test

Collection Procedure continued•Specimens are collected in a private restroom at each school.

•Monitor will be present outside of the restroom

•Students will have privacy.

Collection Procedure continued

• Specimen is checked by a trained monitor for the presence of any unusual characteristics.

• Tamper-evident tape is put over the specimen container

• Student is asked to initial and verify the chain-of-custody form.

• Testing service will send specimens to a Certified Laboratory

Confirmation Process

Negative Screens – are eliminated from further consideration (those that show no drugs)

Positive Screens – a positive result means - the presence of an illegal drug or performance-enhancing drug

Review Process

Medical Review Officer (MRO)Positive Screens – A positive result must be reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO)1.Interpret results2.Talk with the parents3.Review medications with the parent4.Report results

Random Student Drug Testing is Confidential

Drug test results shall only be disclosed to those with a “need to know.”

Information is not shared with teachers or other students.

Drug test results will be kept in files that are separate from the student’s educational records.

Confidentiality AssurancesPositive Tests for Activity Students – Who will be notified: student, parent or guardian,

central office administrator, the principal and head coach or sponsor

Positive Tests for Driving Students – Who will be notified: student, parent or guardian, central office administrator and principal

Positive Tests for Opt-In Participants – Who will be notified: student, parent or guardian and central office administrator

Confidentiality Assurances cont.

Results will not be given to law enforcement - (test results will not be released unless a valid court subpoena or search warrant is provided by law enforcement).

Results will be destroyed when the student graduates or transfers from Mingo County Schools.

Results will not be transferred to another County or State.

Consequences Positive Drug Use Screen :

• NoNo suspension from school• Cannot be included in any discipline files• Violation of the drug testing policy is NOTNOT a

violation of the Student Code of Conduct Policy

• Positive drug test isis a violation of the Student Drug Testing Policy which has consequences.

Consequences continuedActivity Students

1st Offense - To continue in the activity:Parent/guardian must, within five school days, show proof that student received substance abuse educationStudent will be tested again within four (4) weeks

2nd Offense – Suspension from activities fourteen (14) calendar days Complete eight (8) hours of substance abuse educationStudent will be tested again within four (4) weeks Student shall be tested randomly at least three (3) times throughout the calendar year

Consequences continuedActivity Students

3rd Offense: Complete suspension for one (1) calendar year from participation in all extra-curricular activities including meetings, practices, performances, and competition. Negative drug screen will be required before the student can participate.

Consequences continuedDriving Students

1st Offense: Driving privileges are immediately suspended. Privileges reinstated after parent/guardian submits proof that has student received substance abuse education.Student will be tested again within four (4) weeks.Student shall be tested randomly at least three (3) times within the current school year.

Consequences continuedDriving Students

2nd Offense: Revocation of driving/parking privileges for ninety (90) school days. Complete eight (8) hours of substance abuse education Student must provide a negative drug test result to drive after the 90 day suspension. Student shall be tested randomly at least three (3) times within the current school year.

Consequences continuedDriving Students

3rd Offense: All privileges to drive and/or park at school shall be revoked for one (1) calendar year. Negative drug screen will be required prior to driving privileges being restored.

Opt-In Participants:Any offense: Parent will be notified.

Consequences continued• It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian

to obtain substance abuse education and counseling for a student with a positive drug screening.

• It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to submit written proof that a student with a positive drug screening has received substance abuse education and counseling from a qualified program or counseling entity.

Mingo County Schools

Consequences continuedRefusal to Submit to Drug Use Test:

Any Participating Student who refuses to submit to a drug test shall be

ineligible for the remainder of the school year.

Consequences continued

Students will be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct Policy for:Possession of illegal substances on school groundsUnder the influence of illegal substances on school groundsDistribution or sell of illegal substances on school grounds

Mingo County Schools

Office of Student Services and Attendance

Drema J. Dempsey, DirectorThomas Damron, Social Worker/ Attendance Officer

Jeffrey Reynolds, Homebound Services

304-235-3333