EXTRACURRICULAR DRUG SCREENING PROGRAM

EXTRACURRICULAR DRUG SCREENING PROGRAM

Extracurricular includes all athletic programs, cheerleading, band (all areas), chorus, show choir, forensics

(all areas), drama, and any other program or group that represents students involved in competition and/or

after -school-related activities.

Abuse of drugs (excluding those prescribed by a physician to treat specific medical problems) can

1. 
   Be detrimental to the physical and mental health of students involved in extracurricular activities,
   
2. 
   Seriously interfere with the performance of students involved in extracurricular activities,
   
3. 
   Be extremely dangerous to students and their teammates with regard to the participation in competition or practice,
   
4. 
   Create an unfair and damaging stigma for those students who do not use and/or abuse drugs.
   

The Petal School District has a genuine concern for the well being of each student participating in extracurricular activities. Therefore, a drug-screening program will be implemented in accordance with established board policy. The contracting biomedical laboratory shall be certified by the National Institute of Drugs Abuse (NIDA) and be approved by the school board. The testing shall be done only after written consent from the student involved in the activity and the parent/guardian.

Specific goals of this drug-screening program are as follows:

1. 
   To educate students concerning the dangers and problems associated with drug use/abuse.
   
2. 
   To prevent drug use/abuse by students of the Petal School District.
   
3. 
   To identify any student who may be using/abusing drugs and to determine the identity of the drug.
   
4. 
   To provide opportunities for treatment and counseling for any student who is determined to be using/abusing drugs.
   
5. 
   To remove the stigma of drug/abuse from those students who do not use/abuse drugs.
   

1. 
   All students participating in extra-curricular activities will be given drug-screening forms to be signed by the student and his/her parent/guardian. Signed drug screening forms must be returned to the coach or director of the activity within one week or the student will not be allowed to practice or compete.
   

2. 
   All athletes and cheerleaders will be tested. Athletes and cheerleaders will be subject to random testing throughout the school year.
   

3. 
   Due to the large number of students involved in band, chorus, show choir, forensics, drama, and non-athletic extracurricular activities, a ten (10) percent random drug screening will be conducted for non-athletic extracurricular participants.
   

4. 
   If a student tests positive, the appropriate coach or director will take the following steps:
   

1. 
   The student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be notified.
   
2. 
   The Student will be required to attend a drug-counseling program at his/her own expense.
   
3. 
   The drug counselor shall determine the length and manner of said counseling best suit the needs of the student. The prescribed program will be a minimum of one day per week and at least one hour in length per session until the next test is administered.
   
4. 
   The student will undergo drug counseling for a period of not less than twenty-one (21) consecutive days. During the counseling period, the student will be permitted to participate in practice provided the parent/guardian and the student sign a medical release form releasing the school district from liability, but the student will forfeit participation in interscholastic participation according to the following schedule:
   

5. 
   The student will be re-tested after the twenty-one consecutive day counseling period. Another positive test will result in a twenty-eight day suspension from all practices, competitions, and performances.
   

6. 
   A third test will be given at the end of the twenty-eight days period, and if he student tests negative, the student will be re-instated to participate.
   

7. 
   If the student tests positive, he/she will be suspended indefinitely.
   

8. 
   If a student is suspended, the student has the right to appeal the decision to the Petal School District Board of trustees for that determination. The student shall have the right to have council present at the student’s own expense.