School District 308

Random Drug Testing Informed Consent and Release Agreement

EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC/CLUB ELIGIBILITY – DRUG TESTING

Purposes

School District 308 recognizes that nationally alcohol and drug abuse by students has reached epidemic proportions. Oswego and Oswego East in conjunction with School District 308 recognize that nationally, alcohol and drug abuse by high school students is an issue. Because students in extracurricular activities are highly respected in our society and held in high esteem by our school community, they are expected to be good examples of conduct, sportsmanship, and training, which should include abstaining from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Moreover, participants in extracurricular activities who use illegal substances can be a danger to themselves and to others both in and out of the extracurricular activity.

In an effort to insure the health and safety of all extracurricular participants, to provide a legitimate reason for students to say “NO” to drug and alcohol use, and to provide assistance, resources, and support to students, Oswego and Oswego East  will conduct random drug testing for students involved in extracurricular activities. This program is not designed to be punitive. It is designed to prevent drug, alcohol, and tobacco use; to educate students who are extracurricular participants about the physical, mental, and emotional harm caused by drug, alcohol and tobacco use/abuse; to create and maintain a safe and drug free environment for all students; and to assist students who are using drugs/alcohol in getting help when needed.

One purpose of this policy is to deter the use of prohibited substances in order to protect the health and safety of the students. Another purpose is maintaining high standards of conduct for extracurricular participants as role models and representatives of Our District 308 High Schools. It is not designed as a means to allow the schools to discipline a student other than by disqualification from participation in extracurricular activities. Accordingly, the results of any drug test administered under this policy shall be used only for determination of eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities and for no other disciplinary purposes.

Therefore, in conjunction with District Policy 7:240 (can be found on the District 308 website under Board of Education and then click policies), the following procedures are in place for the execution of the drug testing procedure.

Definitions

A.      Extracurricular Athletics/Activities:  Any extracurricular athletic competition or activity representing, sponsored or conducted by the District for students who participate voluntarily and for which no academic credit or grades are awarded.

B.      Student: Any student who is trying out for or participating in any school sponsored athletic team or activity.

C.      Alcohol: Any liquor, wine, beer, or other drink containing alcohol.

D.     Drugs: Amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine metabolite, marijuana metabolite, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, phencyclidine, propoxyphene, except when taken pursuant to a legal prescription issued by a licensed physician.

E.      Under the Influence: The existence of alcohol or of an illegal drug in the bloodstream.

Prohibited Conduct

Students shall not at any time during the season use, possess, sell, distribute, or be under the influence of any illegal drug, anabolic steroid, or alcohol while a member of any school sponsored athletic team or activity.

Consent Form

To try-out for or to participate in any school-sponsored athletic competition or activity, the student must read this policy and sign consent forms by which the student agrees that as a condition of participation in athletics or activities, he/she will be eligible for the drug and alcohol testing program outlined in the procedure for the duration of their high school career.  These consent forms must also be signed by the parents or guardians in advance of the try-outs for a specific sport or the joining of an activity.  The consent forms will be valid for the current school year, including the following summer, and must be renewed annually.

Non-Compliance

If the student, his/her parents or guardians refuse to sign the consent forms, the student will not be permitted to be a member of a team/activity.  Also, if during the season the student refuses to be tested, or is in school on the day to be tested but does not show up at the scheduled time, the student will be removed from the team/activity.

Student Transfers

A student that transfers into a District 308 High School will be provided a copy of this policy. Transfer students and their parents will be given a reasonable time period (not to exceed five school days) to determine whether or not the student intends to participate in the athletics or activities described. If within that period of time the student decides to participate then the consent forms must be signed. The student is then eligible to participate in extracurricular/athletic activities and the name will be entered into the pool of names and remain subject to testing throughout the year.

 

Confidentiality

The results of any test administered under the terms of this policy shall be kept confidential and disclosed only to the student, his/her parents or guardians, and the school officials designated by the Superintendent.  The results of the testing shall not be used as a basis for any disciplinary action other than disqualification as provided for in this policy and procedure.  The test results will not be part of the student’s permanent record, but will be kept in a secure file in the Athletic Director’s office.

Random Selection of Student Athletes for Testing

At the beginning of each IHSA season, each student shall be assigned a number by the Superintendent or his/her designee.  The selection of the numbers to be tested will be randomly computer generated by an outside approved vendor. Students will be eligible for testing for one year from the date they have signed this consent form. The student numbers will be selected and the students tested in order of selection beginning the morning of pre-selected school day.  The test day will be random each week that testing is conducted.  Eight (8) participants at each school will be selected each date (3 dates per athletic season, 9 dates for the school year) for drug and alcohol testing during each season that school-sponsored extracurricular competition/activities take place. 

Notification of Student-Athletes Selected

There will be notification only on the day of the testing.  The students’ that have been randomly selected will be issued a pass from class.  A Deans Assistant will retrieve the student from their class and escort them to the testing area at which time the student will remain under supervision for the duration of the procedure.  Students will be responsible to proceed to the test site with their escort when the pass is presented to them. If a student is not in class at the time the pass is presented, the Athletic Director or designee will determine if the student is absent from school.  If absent, the student will remain eligible for practice and competition, and will be eligible for random selection on the next date.

Self-Reporting

Student self-reporting is a process designed to allow a student to recognize a prohibited substance abuse problem and bring it to the attention of staff and/or administration. Under this policy a student receives no consequence for self-reporting (refer to section on Enforcement for further clarification), but must undergo substance abuse assessment and counseling at their own expense. This is a non-punitive referral. However, once a student is randomly selected for drug testing, the self-reporting process is no longer an option. Self-reports will be reviewed individually in regard to the basis for the self-report, this policy and the extracurricular code of conduct.

Testing Procedures

A licensed medical facility selected by the Superintendent or his designee shall take every reasonable precaution to collect an unadulterated specimen during the collection process and will provide an accurate chain of custody for each and every specimen.  All testing procedures will be explained in the consent form as well as being explained step-by-step to the student on the test date.

Testing Positive

If a student has test results that are positive, the medical facility that has administered the test will handle all due diligence to determine if the positive result is due to any viable medical or prescription related reason.  Upon final confirmation that the test is indeed verified as a positive result, the student must schedule an assessment interview with an approved, qualified chemical dependency counselor within seventy-two (72) hours and complete said interview before the next scheduled test date.  The student is also ruled ineligible until the next test date as per the Board of Education Policy 7:240.

The chemical dependency counselor will secure the necessary release of information and make recommendations to the parents or guardians and the District designee regarding the student’s chemical dependency assessment and treatment recommendations. 

If the parents or guardians and/or student refuse to go for an assessment interview, a suspension from athletic/activities will be imposed.  If, by the next test date, the student has still not completed an assessment interview, the suspension will continue.  This will continue until the student completes said assessment or until the end of their high school career, whichever comes first.

Re-Testing

After serving the ineligible period, completing the assessment counseling process in entirety, and passing the next drug test with a negative result,  the student will be returned to the random number pool and be eligible for random selection in future test dates.  

Enforcement

Nothing contained in this policy shall prohibit or limit application of the District’s regular student disciplinary rules and regulations to students as outlined in the handbook and code of conduct.  The provisions of this policy are considered an addition to all other rules and regulations governing student conduct and discipline.

Financial Responsibility

A.         The District will pay for all initial random tests and all follow-up tests necessitated by a positive or invalid specimen.

B.         Assessment, counseling and/or treatment by non-school agencies are the financial responsibility of the student and his/her parents. 

Procedures Implemented - School Year 2015-16

AS A STUDENT:

I have read and understand the District 308 Random Drug Testing Policy and its implementing procedures listed above..

I understand and agree that participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege that may be withdrawn for violations of this drug testing policy.

I understand that when I participate in any extracurricular program or activity, I will be subjected to random urine drug testing and if I refuse, I will not be allowed to practice or participate in extracurricular athletics or activities.  I have read the Consent and Release for Drug Testing form and agree to its terms.

I understand this consent is revocable, and that upon its revocation I will be excluded from participation in extracurricular athletics and activities while I am a student at Oswego High School.

AS A PARENT/GUARDIAN/CUSTODIAN:

I have read and understand the District 308 Random Drug Testing Policy and its implementing procedures listed above..

I understand that my son/daughter/ward who wishes to participate in any extracurricular program or activity, will be subjected to random urine drug testing and if he/she refuses, he/she will not be allowed to practice or participate in extracurricular athletics or activities; and that if the refusal happens out-of-season, his/her next season will be affected by the terms of this policy. I have read the Consent and Release for Drug Testing form and agree to its terms.

I understand this consent is revocable, and that upon its revocation my son/daughter/ward will be excluded from participation in extracurricular athletics and activities while he/she is a student at Oswego High School.