Marijuana Policy Project

Students can be tested more than once per year 

Students in Beaufort County have been put on notice by the Beaufort County Board of Education that the use of alcohol and/or illicit drugs continues not to be tolerated in the school system.

An updated policy adopted Thursday revamps the previous document to allow additional testing for drugs and alcohol.

"I want to make sure we have consistency," said board member Teressa Banks.

She questioned the section of the policy that rests on the determination of reasonable cause made by a principal or assistant principal for the administrator to suspect that a student is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

"When a principal or assistant principal has reasonable basis to believe that a student is using or is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance at school or at a school activity, the school administrator may offer the student and the student’s parents the opportunity for an alcohol and/or drug test, at board expense, to determine whether the administrator’s belief is justified," the new policy reads.

Superintendent Jeff Moss said "reasonable basis" constituted the smell of alcohol or the presence of slurred speech or the observance of staggered walking or any of a number of other signs that indicate impairment.

"That is understood by our principals and assistant principals and whatever they see as a reasonable basis will be written up," he said.

In an earlier meeting, board member John White expressed similar concerns to Banks’ about the policy.

Moss told board members that all principals and assistant principals in the school system are educated on what "reasonable basis" is and understand when a call on suspected alcohol and/or drug use is appropriate.

"If the test results are negative for the presence of alcohol or an illegal drug, the student shall be found innocent of the allegations of misconduct" by the principal or assistant principal, reads the policy. "If the test results are positive for the presence of drugs or alcohol, the results shall be considered relevant corroborative evidence of a violation of the policy."

The policy requires the administrator to base a disciplinary decision solely on the information obtained during the investigation of the alleged misconduct.

Despite the policy covering the total student population, it is very specific about athletes and their qualification to participate in sports.

"Participation in athletics is a privilege and not a right," the policy reads. "Students involved in athletic activities represent the school and school system in interscholastic competition, public performances and various other activities. They are role models for other students. Their use or abstinence in the use of alcohol or illegal drugs is likely to influence the choices of other high school students.

"In addition, the use or abuse of alcohol and/or illegal drugs by athletes is likely to increase student injuries to the user or others with whom he/she is playing.

"Finally, the board believes that the adoption of the alcohol- and drug-testing policy will deter the use of alcohol and drugs among high school students.

"Therefore, the board of education has adopted the policy on alcohol and drug testing of students who participate in athletic activities."

The policy requires all athletes to be tested once per year during their sport’s season for alcohol and/or drug use; but, the policy does not require an athlete to be tested again if that athlete participates in more than one sport.

However, the policy does not put athletes in the clear after one test because the policy allows for an athlete to be tested again, and possibly more times, at some points during the year, as determined by the superintendent.

"This will be done randomly — randomly chosen by computer — by a testing administrator on contract," Moss said.

According to the policy, the number of athletes tested randomly will be: middle schools — six athletes per sports season; 3A high schools — 16 selected per month; and 1A high schools — 12 per month.

"The superintendent may increase or decrease numbers as needed," according to the policy. "The students shall be tested for the presence of marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and any other drugs the superintendent deems appropriate."

On a first offense of testing positive on a drug test, or if a student is caught with alcohol or a controlled substance at school or at a school-sponsored event or if a student is convicted in court for use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance, the policy states that the student is ineligible to participate in athletics for 365 calendar days. However, if the student agrees to be assessed and enrolls in and successfully completes a substance-abuse education and/or intervention program recommended by the superintendent, the policy allows the student to regain eligibility to participate in sports.

On a second offense, the policy gives the student no reprieve and makes the student sit out of sports for a year.

The policy states that a student is not subject to suspension from school as a result of a positive test.