VHSL DRUG TESTING POLICY PROPOSAL Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
In June 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court broadened the authority of public schools to test students for illegal drugs. Voting 5 to 4, the Court ruled to allow random drug tests for all middle and high school students participating in competitive extracurricular activities.
“The decision of whether to implement a drug-testing program should not be left to one individual, or even to a school board. It should involve the entire community. In fact, by making the effort to include everyone, a school can greatly increase its chances of adopting a successful testing program.” - Office of National Drug Control Policy
Why does Tazewell County Public Schools need to implement drug testing?
In the Last 30 Days Tazewell County High School Middle School Schools Students Students Ridden with a Drunk 19.9% 21.5% Driver Driven Drunk 9.2% Not Applicable Used Prescription 4.9% 9.1% Drugs to Get High Consumed 5 or 26.2% More Drinks In a Row on More Than One Occasion Used Marijuana 21.3% 10.9% 2012 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results
Availability of Substances According to Students Tazewell County High School Middle School Schools Students Students Could Easily Obtain 71.7% 35.3% Alcohol Someone has 24.8% Not Applicable offered to sell or give them Illegal drugs ON SCHOOL PROPERTY during the last 12 months 2012 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results
Reasons to Drug Test • Students using drugs are more likely to drop out of school • Drug use interferes with student’s ability to learn • Drug testing gives students a reason to say ‘no’ • Testing gives the parent an opportunity for early intervention and treatment • Random student drug testing occurs during a medically valid time to intervene because youth become addicted more easily than adults, and their recovery is more difficult. • Most students don’t use drugs and have a right to a safe and drug-free environment
VHSL Participation 54% of High School Students reported they played on one or more sports teams (school sponsored and community)
School systems already drug testing VHSL participants • Amelia County • Botetourt County • Dickenson County • Henry County • Pulaski County • Scott County • Salem High School
THE TAZEWELL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD WILL DRAFT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE PROPOSAL. The following can be used as possible guidelines.
Proposed Policy Detected Substances • Amphetamines • Cocaine • Opiates • Alcohol • THC (Marijuana) *Oral swabs will be used for testing
Proposed Policy Participation For a student to participate in any VHSL sport or extracurricular activity, the student and parent must both sign the pledge agreement. Agreement Terms: • Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Free • Student is willing to be randomly drug tested by mouth swab (with parental permission)
Proposed Policy Offenses First Offense • Alcohol or other drugs- minimum ? day suspension (to be determined by Board) Student will be interviewed by Education Coordinator (Cumberland Mountain Community Services) with parent(s)/guardian(s) present to decide education program. Upon satisfactorily attending all prescribed education sessions, the student participant will be released from the education program. The student participant remains subject to random drug and alcohol testing for the remainder of that school year at the discretion of school officials.
Proposed Policy Offenses Second Offense • Alcohol or other drugs- minimum ? day suspension (to be determined by Board) Student will be interviewed by Treatment Coordinator (Cumberland Mountain Community Services) with parent(s)/guardian(s) present to decide treatment program. The student may resume activities after set suspension and satisfactorily completing treatment program. The student will still be subjected to being randomly drug tested.
Proposed Policy Offenses Third Offense Upon confirmation of a third incident of use of alcohol, tobacco, or other illegal drugs, a student is prohibited from any further participation in extracurricular activities while enrolled at the school.
Proposed Policy Offense Parameters • Offenses “carry over” to each school year. • Offenses “carry over” to any sport of any year. • 3 offenses during grades 7-12 the student will no longer be able to participate in any VHSL extracurricular activity.
Proposed Policy Participants • All students participating in any VHSL sport, theater/drama, scholastic bowl, etc. • If a student does not participate in one of these activities, their parent/guardian may still “opt them in.” *If a coach or sponsor has reasonable suspicion that a student is under the influence of alcohol, or other drugs, they may have that student tested.
FUNDING? • 100% funding from: • Drug Free Communities Support Grant • Department of Health and Human Services • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration • Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
"By no means are we looking at using this as a way to catch people who may be using, Basically, the policy is to deter our student athletes from being involved in drugs and drug activity in the first place.” -John Ferguson Scott County Superintendent
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