FILE: IDFAA
DRUG TESTING OF ATHLETES
The St. Martin Parish School Board recognizes that athletics is not an essential aspect of the education process. Therefore, student participation is not required by School Board policy or law. However, the nature of athletics, together with the societal problems which a student athlete encounters, entail that the St. Martin Parish School Board adopt steps to help protect the sanctity of high school athletics and to help assure that an athlete will be provided the maximum safety available. The hereinafter specified drug testing procedures have been enacted by the St. Martin Parish School Board for the following reasons:
To test for any substance which could allegedly provide an unfair advantage over those who do not use such substances, (i.e., substances believed to or which actually enhance athletic performance); and
To test for any substance which may impair one's athletic or activity performance or pose a threat to his safety or the safety of others, (i.e., any substance that may be mind-altering, addictive or illegal.
It is the position of the St. Martin Parish School Board that drug testing procedures are embraced by both parents and athletes to help achieve maximum protection of high school athletics without compromise to the athletes' opportunities to compete safely, fairly, and competitively.
The drug testing program delineated herein is not adopted as a punitive measure. Further, the St. Martin Parish School Board does not attempt to regulate the off campus, non-school related activities of its athletes by virtue of this policy. Moreover, it is not the intent of this policy to invade the privacy rights of those affected thereby. Rather, as stated above, the St. Martin Parish School Board strives to optimize the opportunities to minimize injuries to the athlete and others who choose to participate in athletics, and to ensure fair competition. All athletes are subject to the drug testing procedures herein specified. Therefore, the St. Martin Parish School Board hereby is not and should not be construed as being premised upon that particular athlete is under the influence of any drugs. This program is a mandatory condition for participation by a student in athletics.
This drug testing policy has not been adopted in lieu of other drug policies and search and seizure regulations previously adopted by the St. Martin Parish School Board or enacted by law. Rather, the drug testing guidelines established herein are to be employed in conjunction with other school policies which prescribe penalties for the use, consumption and/or distribution of illegal or prohibited substances on school grounds or at school related functions.
Therefore, the format hereby adopted by the St. Martin Parish School Board in the implementation of a drug testing policy is as follows.
All athletes shall submit to a physical examination by a duly licensed physician;
A medical history of each athlete shall be submitted to the athletic director, principal and/or team physician;
One or more urine analyses shall be taken in order to ascertain possible warning signs which by their nature would endanger the athlete's safety, and/or whether there is present any controlled substance which, by its nature, will impede the motor skills required in athletic endeavors and thus endanger the athlete and/or others;
All urine analyses shall be used to ascertain the presence of such as:
Glucose
Protein
Blood
Narcotics such as codeine, morphine, meperidine, normeperidine, methadone, primary metabolite and pentazocine
Depressants such as diazepam, nordiazepam, methaqualone, propoxyphene, norpropoxyphene, and ethanol
Barbituates such as amobarbital, butabartiatal, butalbital, Phenobarbital, secobarbital
CNS stimulants such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, caffeine, cocaine, benzoylecgonine and phencyclidine (PCP)
Miscellaneous substances such as phenothiazine (reported as a class only), quinine or quinidine, tripelennamine (known as "T-S and Blues" when present with Pentazocine) and cannabinoids (if positive, tetrahydrocannabin metabolite confirmation)
Anabolic steroids
Any other substances defined as "controlled dangerous substances” by law including, but not limited to, La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §40:961, et seq.
As stated above, all testing shall be strictly enforced and participation in the testing program is mandatory based upon the fact that the parents/guardian of athletes have freely chosen to permit their children to participate in the athletic programs offered by the St. Martin Parish School Board. No athlete shall be tested unless the parent(s) or guardian(s) and the athlete execute this form permitting the performance of the subject test. By executing of this document, the parent(s) or guardian(s) and athlete acknowledge that they have consented and do hereby consent, to the administration of the subject tests and they do hereby waive any claim of invasion of privacy and waive any objection to necessary action which may be adopted in the implementation of this drug testing program and in furtherance of the goals which serve as its bases. Moreover, the undersigned do hereby authorize that St. Martin Parish School Board to have the tests enumerated herein administered as a necessary and mandatory aspect of its athletic program. Refusal to submit to these tests shall constitute immediate notice that the athlete shall not be permitted to participate in any athletic program offered by the school system.
For the protection of the school system in general and the athletes in particular, and to preserve the integrity and validity of the testing program, all urine tests shall be performed by a professional laboratory. The results of the test shall be maintained in confidence in the office of the school principal. Positive results of any drug testing shall be communicated to the parent(s) or guardian(s) and the student affected thereby. In any case, any parent or guardian shall be permitted to engage in a confidential conference with the principal, athletic director and/or Superintendent to discuss the results of any test. Should any parent(s) or guardian(s) agree to the dissemination of the results of any drug testing, the athlete affected thereby shall be informed.
Each of the undersigned hereby release the St. Martin Parish School Board, its members (both individually and in their official capacity) as well as any employee, teacher, principal or other school administrator or personnel from any liability in connection with this policy, the administration of the testing procedures and/or test results, any warranties addressing the accuracy of said tests and any and all medical or laboratory procedures employed by the referring laboratory.
It is expressly understood that the St. Martin Parish School Board assumes no responsibility for the diagnosis or treatment of any disease that may become known as a result of any laboratory test(s) conducted in the implementation of this drug testing program.
All costs associated with the administration of this drug testing program shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the St. Martin Parish School Board, except as hereinafter noted. However, any evaluation or drug counseling which may be mandated as a result of positive tests shall not, under any circumstance, be the responsibility of the St. Martin Parish School Board.
All tests results shall be received and reviewed by the Superintendent of the St. Martin Parish School Board and/or his/her designee. The parent(s) and/or guardian(s) of any athlete who has tested positive shall be immediately notified by the Superintendent and/or his/her designee. Such notification shall be confirmed in writing. Further, the Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall also immediately notify the principal of the athlete's school who will then, without delay, notify the athletic director and athlete's coach. The latter shall then advise the athlete as soon as possible. Confidentiality of the test results shall be maintained at all times.
Under no circumstances shall any law enforcement personnel be notified in case of positive test results. All test results shall be for school related purposes and addressed in accordance with the terms, provisions and conditions specified herein.
An athlete may request a verification test, the cost of which shall be borne by St. Martin Parish School Board, and be a test of the same specimen. If the athlete requests a verification test from another laboratory or testing agency, the cost shall be the responsibility of the athlete and shall be administered by a laboratory or testing agency approved by the principal of the school in which the athlete is enrolled. Further, the verification test must be of the same specimen previously tested. Moreover, the verification test shall be administered in accordance with the terms, conditions and provisions of this authorization and consent form.
The drug testing specified herein shall be administered at least once every school year to all students who have elected to participate in any athletic program. A student will not be exempted from the testing on the basis of his having been previously tested in prior school years or the current school year that the test is offered except as otherwise stated herein.
It is noted by the undersigned that the athlete shall not have a right to a hearing before the administration of any sanctions prescribed by this policy. In this connection, it is again recognized that athletics is not an integral part of mandatory school curriculum. Nonetheless, as indicated previously, this drug testing policy shall not be in lieu of or exclusive of other drug policies and/or search and seizures regulations adopted by the St. Martin Parish School Board and/or enacted by law.
The implementation of the specific testing procedures and similar matters shall be as specified by written policy of the St. Martin Parish School Board. Copies of the same may be obtained from the central office of the St. Martin Parish School Board.
Revised: May 7, 2014
Revised: May 31, 2017
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, 11-7-07, 5-7-14, 5-31-17
St. Martin Parish School Board
AUTHORIZATION AND CONSENT FOR DRUG TESTING
The undersigned athlete and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) hereby acknowledge that the athlete has been taking the following medication(s) prescribed by the physicians identified below:
Medication Prescribing Physician
___________________________ ______________________________
___________________________ ______________________________
___________________________ ______________________________
By executing this document, the parent(s) or guardian(s) and athlete acknowledge that they have consented and do hereby consent, to the administration of the subject tests and they do hereby waive any claim of invasion of privacy and waive any objection to necessary action which may be adopted in the implementation of this drug testing program and in furtherance of the goals which serve as its bases. Moreover, the undersigned do hereby authorize that St. Martin Parish School Board to have the tests enumerated herein administered as a necessary and mandatory aspect of its athletic program.
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Parent, Guardian, Tutor (Tutrix) Date
Address: ____________________________
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Parent, Guardian, Tutor (Tutrix) Date
Address: ____________________________
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Parent, Guardian, Tutor (Tutrix) Date
Address: ____________________________
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