Statement of Intent 

The West County R-IV School District recognizes that drug and alcohol abuse are a significant health problem in young people throughout the nation. There has been an increase in the number of drug related referrals at the high school over the past several years. Drug abuse has a serious effect on the overall development and health of individuals. For this reason, The Board of Education believes that it is important that students participating in extracurricular interscholastic activities and athletics sponsored by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), and those who drive to school and park on campus on a daily basis, remain free from the influence of drugs for the health and safety of all.

It is the desire of the Board, administration, faculty and staff that every student in the district refrain from using, possessing, or distributing illegal drugs or unauthorized prescription drugs. The purpose of this policy is to help ensure the health and safety of students by limiting any student in violation of this policy, the opportunity to participate in activities sponsored by MSHSAA or to drive a vehicle on school property. This policy is intended to deter and discourage drug abuse among our students who meet the criteria for testing and to complement all other District policies, rules, and regulations associated with illegal use of drugs. Participation in MSHSAA sponsored activities, as well as driving a vehicle on school property, are considered privileges for students. Students who participate in MSHSAA activities carry a responsibility of appropriate behavior to themselves, their fellow students, their parents/guardians, and to their school. They are expected to set the highest possible example of conduct, which includes the avoidance of illegal or unauthorized prescription drug use. Students who drive and park at school are expected to follow all motor vehicle laws. Driving while under the influence is both an operational and safety hazard to the school community. For all students participating in the above school activities, illegal or unauthorized prescription drug use is incompatible to the good order of school.

The drug testing program is not intended to be disciplinary or punitive in nature. The program, however, will not effect the policies, practices, or the rights of school officials, coaches, and sponsors in dealing with illegal drug or alcohol possession or use where reasonable suspicion is obtained by means other than the random sampling provided by the drug testing program.

The provisions of this policy apply to all students attending West County High School who sign, along with their parent/guardian, a consent to be tested form. This form will be kept on file in the principal’s office. All students who wish to participate in MSHSAA activities or to drive and park on campus, will be required to participate in the drug testing program. Students who fail to meet this requirement will not be eligible to participate in either privilege.

Drug Testing Policy Definitions

Extracurricular Activities:  This refers to all activities and athletics sponsored by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) that generally take place outside the regular school day. (On rare occasions, some competitions do occur during the school day. These events will also be included with this particular definition.)

Drug Use Test:  Scientifically substantiated method of testing for the presence of illegal or prescription drugs in a person’s system.

Illegal Drugs:  The use, possession, distribution, sale, or solicitation of alcohol, drugs, their imitators, unauthorized prescription or non-prescription drugs, drug related paraphernalia, narcotic substances, marijuana, or other intoxicants and any other substances, which an individual may not sell, possess, use distribute, or purchase under either federal or state law.

Suspension Days: Suspension from MSHSAA activities and/or driving/parking privileges will begin on the day the positive test results are made known to school officials. Suspension days for the first positive test will be for thirty (30) calendar days. Suspension for the second positive test cumulative for their time in high school will be 365 days. Suspension for a third positive test will be the removal of all eligibility for participation in MSHSAA sponsored activities and driving/parking privileges for the remainder of his/her high school career.

Positive Test Result:  When referring to a drug test administered under this policy, a toxicological test result which is considered to demonstrate the presence of an illegal or prescription drug or the metabolites thereof using the standards customarily established by the testing laboratory administering the drug use test. (Upon testing positive for the use of a prescription drug, the student will have to provide documentation that the use of the drug in question has been authorized by a physician providing care to the student. A meeting will be conducted with the parent/guardian of the student to verify the documentation.)

Special Note:  A positive result attributed to the lawful use of prescription or nonprescription drug shall not be considered a positive result for the cumulative record keeping purpose of this policy.

Testing Pool:  Students participating in the MSHSAA activities and all students who wish to drive and park their vehicle on school property will comprise the testing pool.

Procedures for Testing:  The District will utilize an outside agency to randomly test students in the testing pool. The testing agency will follow practices and procedures designed to ensure the validity of testing, the proper chain of custody with regard to specimens, the confidentiality of medical information submitted with testing, and procedures designed to ensure the privacy of students while testing. A minimum of ten (10) students in the pool will be tested each time the test is administered. Testing will occur a minimum of two (2) times a semester. Testing should be administered at the beginning of all sports seasons. Any change to this procedure must be approved by the superintendent.

At the beginning of the school year in August, all students who want to park on school property or participate in MSHSAA activities will have their names entered into the pool of eligible names to be drawn for drug testing. (Names of students who wish to park will be determined by those students who fill out a request to park on campus. Students participating in MSHSAA activities are included in an event roster. Anyone’s name that appears on a MSHSAA roster will be submitted for random selection for testing.)

Consequences for Positive Drug Test Results:  When positive test results are received from the testing agency, the principal will notify the student’s parents/guardians as soon as possible to schedule a conference to explain the results and discuss the consequences. This conference may be conducted over the phone. During the conference, the principal will solicit any explanation for the positive findings and ask for doctor prescriptions of any drugs that the student may have taken that may have affected the outcome of the analysis. The student or parent/guardian may request that the sample be tested again at their expense. Such a request must be made within twenty-four (24) hours of notification of the positive result.

Consequences for Positive Test Continued:

First Offense:  The student who tests positive for the first time will be suspended immediately from all MSHSAA activities and/or driving and parking privileges for a period of thirty (30) calendar days.  During the thirty (30) day period, if a student desires to stay a part of the team they must attend and participate in all practices. The student will not be allowed to attend any of the games, home or away, during the thirty (30) day period. The student must receive counseling for drug abuse during the 30 day period at the expense of the parent/guardian. At the conclusion of the 30 day period, proof of counseling must be presented to the principal and a second drug test conducted, at the expense of the parents/guardians, before the student will be reinstated. The second drug test must be conducted by an approved and licensed agency and test results must be negative. Failure to comply with any of these provisions will result in the student being excluded from MSHSAA activities and parking privileges until the provisions have been met.

Second Offense:  A second cumulative positive test will result in the student being suspended immediately from the MSHSAA activities and/or driving/parking privileges for a period of 365 calendar days. The student must receive counseling for drug abuse from a licensed individual or agency within the suspension period. The counseling is at the expense of the parent/guardian. The counseling for the second offense needs to be substantial in nature. Proof of counseling must be presented to the principal and a second drug test must be conducted under the same conditions mentioned above for reinstatement after a positive test result. Failure to comply with any of these provisions will result in the student being excluded from all MSHSAA activities and all driving/parking privileges on campus.

Third Offense:  A third cumulative positive test will result in the student being suspended immediately from all MSHSAA activities and driving/parking privileges for the remainder of his/her high school career.

Failure to Provide a Sample: If a student who has been randomly selected for drug testing and called to the office, fails to produce a sample within a reasonable amount of time (90 minutes), that student may be considered as testing positive and be held accountable under the conditions specified in this policy.

Appeals Process:  Students and their parents/guardians who wish to appeal the random selection process, testing procedures, accuracy of results, and/or the consequences associated with a positive test(s), may do so under the student complaint and grievance policy located in the student handbook.

Evaluation of Policy:  The Board will review and evaluate the drug testing policy annually to determine its effectiveness. Specifically, the board will look at the overall management of the program to ensure that standards of fairness and confidentiality have been met. The Board will also evaluate the effectiveness of the program in terms of deterring students from illegal drugs. Data to be considered in the evaluation process to determine effectiveness will be the number of positive test results documented along with the number of discipline referrals to the office associated with illegal drug violations. The Board will be looking for a decrease in positive tests results and discipline referrals associated with illegal drug possession and use. The Board will assess the cost effectiveness of the program.