FILE:  IDFAA

 

STUDENT ATHLETE DRUG TESTING

 

 

  1. INTRODUCTION

    In order to identify a controlled substance dependence which by its very nature would be detrimental to the health of the student athlete and would be counterproductive to the safety of the athlete and his/her companions, as well as to provide a concrete reason for students to say “no” to drug use and to provide an opportunity for those taking drugs to receive help in locating programs which can provide assistance, the Lafayette Parish Public School District is conducting a mandatory drug testing program for student athletes.  The program is not punitive but is designed to create a safe, drug-free environment for student athletes and to assist them in getting help when needed.  This policy is designed to operate in conjunction with all other athletic policies.

 

  1. DEFINITIONS

    Drug – any substance considered illegal or controlled by the Food and Drug Administration

    Student athlete – any high school student participating in athletic practices and/or contests under the control and jurisdiction of the Lafayette Parish School Board

    Sport season – fall, winter, and spring seasons, beginning on the first day of practice allowed by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and ending the day prior to the beginning date of practice of the next season

 

  1. PROCEDURES

 

  1. Consent

    The parent or guardian and the student athlete are required to sign a written consent for drug testing prior to participating in the athletic program.  Any time an athlete refuses to be tested, he/she School Board be suspended from the team for the remainder of the season.

  2. Medication

    Student athletes who have been or who are taking prescription medication must provide verification (either by a copy of the prescription or by a doctor’s statement) prior to being tested.  Students who refuse to provide verification and test positive for a controlled substance School Board be subject to the actions as specified under the section entitled “Positive Test.”

  3. Student Selection

    Student athletes are subject to mandatory random drug testing to be conducted during the sport season.  Students selected for random testing School Board be selected by having their student identification numbers electronically drawn from a pool of containing all student athletes who are participating in the sports active during the season in which the names are pulled.  The selection shall be completed by the drug testing company with which the Lafayette Parish School Board contracts for the purpose of drug testing.

  4. Positive Test

    If the student’s test indicates a positive result, a second test shall be administered as soon as possible on the same sample to confirm the result.  Parents shall be notified by the school principal after the second positive test.  If the second test is positive, the following action shall be taken.

 

  1. First Offense

 

  1. The principal shall notify the parent or guardian.

  2. A meeting shall be conducted by the principal with the parent/guardian, the student, and the school’s athletic director.

  3. The student shall be given the option of participating in assistance programs and taking a weekly drug test for six (6) weeks at the parent/guardian’s expense or being suspended from participating in athletics for the remainder of the current season and the next athletic season.  The student shall be retested before beginning the next season for which he/she is eligible.

 

  1. Second Offense

 

  1. The principal School Board notify the parent or guardian.

  2. A meeting School Board be conducted by the principal with the parent/guardian, the student, and the school’s athletic director.

  3. The student School Board be suspended from participating in athletics for the remainder of the current season and the next athletic season.  The student School Board be retested before beginning the next season for which he/she is eligible.

 

  1. Third Offense

 

  1. The principal School Board notify the parent or guardian.

  2. A meeting School Board be conducted by the principal with the parent/guardian, the student, and the school’s athletic director.

  3. The student School Board be suspended from participating in athletics for the remainder of the current season and the next two athletic seasons for which he/she is eligible.  The student School Board be retested before beginning the next season for which he/she is eligible

 

Adopted:  July 21, 1999

Revised:  June 4, 2008

 

 

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 40:961, 49:1111

Vernonia School District 47J v. Acton, 515 U.S. 646 (1995)

Official Handbook, Louisiana High School Athletic Association

Board minutes, 7-21-99, 6-4-08

 

Lafayette Parish School Board