River Valley

Local Schools

Creating Tomorrow's Leaders

Drug Testing Policy

The River Valley Board of Education has approved a mandatory drug testing policy that will be in place for the 2015-16 school year. The goal of this policy is to create a drug free educational environment while looking out for the health and safety of our students. It is also our hope that this policy will serve as a deterrent for students if and when they are faced with the choice of trying drugs. This is a mandatory testing policy for anyone in grades 9-12 that plans to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, organizations or drives/parks at school.

Mandatory Drug Testing Policy River Valley High School

Policy Statement:

The River Valley Local School District believes that extracurricular activities can play an integral part in the overall development of young people during their school careers. The overall goal of the entire extracurricular program at River Valley Local Schools is to aid in the developing of habits that will benefit our students in their adult lives so they will be able to make positive contributions to society. In order to accomplish this goal, the River Valley Local School District strives to offer well-balanced programs for as many students as possible.

River Valley Local School District believes that the experience gained while involved in extracurricular activities is a privilege not a right. Since these students are representing the River Valley Local School District, the School Board and Administration reserve the right to set a standard of behavior for any students who will be representing the school through extra-curricular activities of any kind.

All of the extra-curricular programs for the River Valley Local School District will be conducted in accordance with all of the existing policies, rules and regulations of the River Valley Local School Board of Education.

The expectations and consequences of the River Valley Local School District Extra-Curricular Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Policy are in effect and will be enforced for twelve (12) months of the year and may carry over to the next season of participation. Consequences will be cumulative during high school years. This Code of Conduct applies to all high school students who drive/park and/or participate in extra-curricular activities throughout the school year at River Valley Local Schools.

Recognizing that observed and suspected use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs by River Valley Local School District students is a serious concern, a program of deterrence will be instituted as a pro-active approach to a drug-free school. Likewise, students using alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs pose a threat to their own safety, as well as to that of other students. The purpose of this policy is fourfold:

to provide for the safety of all students;
to undermine the effects of peer pressure by providing a legitimate reason for students to refuse to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs;
to encourage the participation in treatment programs for students who use illegal substances;
to prevent the impact of illegal substances on the learning centers of the brain allowing students to achieve their full academic potential.

It is a violation of the River Valley Local School District’s Code of Conduct for any student to use, sell, distribute or be under the influence of any illegal drugs or other controlled substances or to possess drug paraphernalia. It is also a violation for any student to use, sell or be in possession of any type of alcohol/tobacco products.

Definitions

Student Athlete

Any person participating in the River Valley High School athletic program and/or contests under the control and jurisdiction of the River Valley Schools and/or the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). This policy also includes cheerleaders as well as club teams.

Extracurricular

Any activity which includes performances or competitions and does not involve a grade.

Athletic Season

In-season start dates will begin as published by the Ohio High School Athletic Association or sanctioning organization and continue until the completion of awards program for that sport for the River Valley Schools. There are three athletic seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring.

Random Selection

A system of selecting students involved in driving/parking and or participating in extracurricular activities, clubs or organizations for drug and alcohol testing in which each individual shall have a fair and equitable chance of being selected each time selections are required.

Illegal/Illicit Drugs

Any substance included in U.S.C. 802 (6), which an individual may not sell, offer to sell, possess, give, exchange, use, distribute, or purchase under State or Federal Law.
This definition also includes all prescribed and over-the-counter drugs being used in any way other than for medical purposes in accordance with the directions for use provided for in the prescription or by the manufacturer. We may also test for Nicotine and Steroids.

Alcohol

Any intoxicating liquor, beer, wine, mixed beverage, or malt liquor beverage as defined in the Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.01. The term “alcoholic beverage” includes any liquid or substance, such as “near beer” which contains alcohol in any proportion or percentage. The term “alcoholic beverage” does not include a substance used for medical purposes in accordance with directions for use provided in a prescription or by the manufacturer and in accordance with school district policy and rules related to the use of prescription and non-prescription drugs, provided the substance is a)authorized by a medical prescription from a licensed physician and kept in the original container, which shall state the student’s name and directions for use or b) an over-the-counter medicine.

Types of Testing

Mandatory Testing

All students that drive to school or participate in extracurricular activities, clubs or organizations will have one mandatory test. This mandatory test must be taken when they start to drive to school or begin participating in an extracurricular activity, club or organization. This testing will be completed on a specified date and time. The collection process will take place on school property or at a Board of Education approved testing facility. The Head Coach, Advisor or Administrator is responsible for ensuring that all participating students and their parents/guardian/custodian properly sign the INFORMED CONSENT AGREEMENT prior to the time he/she joins the extracurricular activity, club, organization or begins to drive/park at school.

Random Testing

Random testing shall be done throughout the school year. Each team, club or organization may have up to 20% of its participating students tested per random selection. Students that drive/park will also be tested randomly throughout the school year. A student may be randomly tested more than once per school year. In the event of a positive result, the specimen will be sent to a laboratory for confirmation of results and a certified Medical Review Officer will determine the results.

Random selection of students:

The Athletic Director, under the Principal’s supervision, will use a system to ensure the students are selected in a random fashion. This system may include computer generated random numbers or names or by pulling numbers from a pool of numbers equal to the number of participating students.

Scheduling of random testing:

Random testing will be unannounced. The day and date will be selected by the Athletic Director and confirmed with the building administrator. Random testing may be done weekly.

Drugs for which Athletes may be Tested:

LSD, alcohol, Marijuana, Amphetamines, Methadone, Anabolic Steroids, Methaqualone, Barbiturates, Nicotine (Tobacco), Benzodiazepines, Opiates, Cocaine, Propoyphene (Darvon), or any substance included in U.S.C. 802 (6), which an individual may not sell offer to sell, possess, give, exchange, use distribute, or purchase under State or Federal Law. This definition also includes all prescribed and over-the-counter drugs being used in any way other than for medical purposes in accordance with the directions for use provided for in the prescription or by the manufacturer.

Collection Process (Urine Screens)

The student will be notified to report to the collection site. A specimen from the student will be collected as follows and all students must follow this process:
All students must have a picture ID or be identified by the Athletic Director or Principal. No exceptions will be allowed.
Drug testing area must be secured during the testing.
Only lab technicians, designated school administrator and students will be witness to the test.
Student privacy will be maintained during the testing process.
The Athletic Director is responsible for ensuring that all of the forms are completed and signed by both parent/guardian/custodian and student. No student is to enter the collection site until forms, money and proper ID are completed.
If students arrive and cannot give a sample, they will be asked to drink water, pop or juice until they are able to provide a sample.
No bags, backpacks, purses, cups, containers or drinks will be allowed in the collection area. All coats, vests, jackets, sweaters, hats, scarves or baggy clothing must be removed before the students enter the collection site. Only pants and t-shirts or dresses may be worn in the collection area. Any infringement of the rules will result in the student taking the test over.
Students processed by the lab technician who cannot produce a sample will be kept in a secured area to wait until they can test. If they leave this area they will not be allowed to test. They are not to have contact with anyone until after the sample is given.
Students will be asked to hold out their hands and a sanitizer will be put on their hands or they will wash hands with water. The lab technician will add a dye to the toilet.
Students will be asked to urinate directly into the collection cup given to them by the lab personnel. The lab technician will stand outside the stall and listen for normal sounds of urination.
Any and all adulterations of the specimen will be detected and considered the same as a test refusal or 1st time infraction. (The lab checks every sample for adulterations, such as additives you drink or add to urine to change the sample.)
Adulterations: We will treat adulterations and diluted samples as first time offenses. They are not called positives but have the same consequences. A retest will be required within 24 hours.
Any suspicion of tampering with the sample will be brought to the tester’s attention. The sample will be screened or sent to the lab for immediate confirmation of tampering.
The sample must be taken in one attempt and be at least 30 ml in size. The student must hand the cup to the lab technician.
Students are not to flush the toilets or urinals. In the event that a student flushes the toilet he or she will be required to give a new sample immediately or the sample will be invalid.
With student watching, the lab technician will recap the sample and hand it to the student who must then return it to the intake technician. In the event that the student does not hand the cup directly to the intake technician, the sample is invalid and a new sample must be taken. If the student leaves the collection area or has contact with anyone, the sample will be invalid and the student will have to give another sample.
This collection procedure is subject to change because of procedural requirements by the testing agency. The School Board reserves the right to change the collection procedure to coincide with the testing guidelines set forth by the testing agency.
When using rapid screens, all non-negative screens will be sent out with a chain of custody to a certified laboratory for confirmation. A Certified Medical Review Officer will verify the positive test.
Any student who tests positive will have to be tested at the next three available testing dates. Testing and counseling will be at the expense of the student, parent and/or guardian. Testing will be done by the vendor as approved by the school district.

Results of a Positive Test

Any positive urine drug test results will be made known to the building administrator, who in turn will notify the parents/guardians/custodians and student.

If a Positive Test Occurs:

Penalties for Training Rules Violations

First violation

The student will be suspended for the equivalent of 40% of the contests and/or performances of a multi performance extra curricular activity or season.
The student will not be permitted to try out or be involved in any single performance activities for a period of 45 school days.
The student will not be permitted to drive/park a car on school property during the normal school day for a period of 20 school days. Students without a parking permit will not be issued a permit during this time period.
The student will be included in the next three random drug tests. The student, parents, or guardian will be responsible for the costs associated with these tests.
The student will have to make an appointment with a certified chemical dependency counselor (or at an agency certified by the Ohio Department of Health or the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services) for chemical dependency assessment and then follow the recommendations of the counselor. The parent/guardian/custodian is responsible for all expenses and for providing the school with documentation that the student completed all recommendations of the counselor.

Second violation

The student will be suspended for the equivalent of 100% of the contests and/or performances of a multi performance extra curricular activity or season.
The student will not be permitted to try out or be involved in any single performance activity for a period of 45 school days.
The student will not be permitted to drive/park a car on school property during the normal school day for a period of 50 school days. Students without a parking permit will not be issued a permit during this time period.
The student will be included in the next three random drug tests. The student, parents, or guardian will be responsible for the costs associated with these tests.
The student will have to make an appointment with a certified chemical dependency counselor (or at an agency certified by the Ohio Department of Health or the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services) for chemical dependency assessment and then follow the recommendations of the counselor. The parent/guardian/custodian is responsible for all expenses and for providing the school with documentation that the student completed all recommendations of the counselor.

Third violation

The student will be suspended for a calendar year from participation in contests and/or performances of a multi performance extra curricular activity or season.
The student will not be permitted to try out or be involved in any single performance activity for a calendar year.
The student will not be permitted to drive/park a car on school property during the normal school day for a period of 180 school days. Students without a parking permit will not be issued a permit during this time period.
The student will be included in the next six random drug tests. The student, parents, or guardian will be responsible for the costs associated with these tests.
The student will have to make an appointment with a certified chemical dependency counselor (or at an agency certified by the Ohio Department of Health or the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services) for chemical dependency assessment and then follow the recommendations of the counselor. The parent/guardian/custodian is responsible for all expenses and for providing the school with documentation that the student completed all recommendations of the counselor.

Fourth violation

The student will be permanently suspended from participation in all extra curricular activities.
The student will permanently lose privileges to drive/park at school during the normal school day.

Removal from the Drug Testing Program

Any student who removes themselves from the Drug Testing Program during the school year will be placed on the same conditions as students with four violations and will be permanently ineligible to drive/park at school or for all extra-curricular activities.

Beginning with the student’s junior year, multi performance suspensions must be completed in activities previously participated in by the students. A Junior or Senior under a multi performance suspension may not participate in an activity they have not previously participated. The Principal and/or Athletic Director may waive this requirement if extenuating circumstances (such as prior knowledge of the student' participation before the violation occurred) exist.
Self Referrals

A student may give a one-time self-referral, while in high school. A self-referral can only happen before the tardy bell on a day of a random drug test. A self-referral can be done at any time prior to a mandatory drug test.
A student that self-refers will have to make an appointment with a certified chemical dependency counselor (or at an agency certified by the Ohio Department of Health or the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services) for chemical dependency assessment and then follow the recommendations of the counselor. The parent/guardian/custodian is responsible for all expenses and for providing the school with documentation that the student completed all recommendations of the counselor; no other punitive actions are taken.
The self-referral counts as a 1st offense even though no punitive action is taken. If there is another violation, it will count as a second violation, and the punitive action for the second violation will be used.

The drug testing program will be evaluated at the end of each year using data obtained through the testing process. This policy is subject to change by the River Valley Board of Education