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ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

Substance abuse is a major health problem is today's society. In an attempt to eliminate substance abuse by our athletes, we have revised this policy. Students, coaches and administrators spent a significant amount of time reading the current research, discussing their thoughts and debating beliefs before finalizing this document. It is expected that all athletes and coaches will follow and enforce this policy and community and parents will support it.

The use, possession, sale, transportation and /or distribution of alcoholic beverage and/or of any scheduled drugs and tobacco as defined in Title 17A Chapter 45 is strictly prohibited. The school system recognizes that the use of illegal substances is a significant health problem for adolescents often impacting negatively on behavior, educational opportunities and developmental skills for both the athletic fields/courts and in the classroom.

MSAD71 supports the education and professional development of administrators, coaches, advisors, athletes and parents in the area of symptoms of adolescent chemical dependency and their impact on athletic participants. Regardless of the level of violation of our policy, parents will be notified at the onset of the application of this policy.

MSAD71 in addition, recognizes that any athletic policy related to the use of illegal substances needs to be incorporated into the context of a broader school and community effort to support prevention programs.

Students in MSAD71 are asked to complete an athletic code policy agreement once during their high school career which covers their responsibilities for four years. Once the students have completed their code cards, they are governed by this policy through out the school year. Coaches and administrators are to review the policy each season for the purpose of insuring that students are cognizant of the ramifications if a poor choice has been made.

Administrators and coaches will follow appropriate protocol in reviewing reports of violations to the athletic code for substance abuse and investigate fully any and all accounts of violations with respect to either form of referral.

Self -Referrals

In an effort to encourage student athletes who have a problem with illegal substance use, a voluntary referral by the student is recommended.

Students who self-refer will not lose practice or game time but must complete an awareness program which will consist of an assessment of his/her needs for dependency ( at the expense of the student/parent), counseling, educational programs and a review. Parents will be requested to participate in a portion of this effort. This program will consist of at least 10 hours of study and assessment. Permission must be granted to allow the substance abuse counselor permission to discuss his/her case with a designated administrator or counselor. Students must agree to follow the program recommended from the abuse counselor.

If a student self-refers during their participating sport season he/she, in addition to entering the counseling program (assessment, education programs, review), and after meeting with the head coach and Athletic Director will meet with their team to explain their violation and their intent to remain chemical free in the future. Teammates will have the opportunity to share their concerns with the offending athlete and the impact the violation has had on the team. At the conclusion of this confidential meeting, the coach, Athletic Director and student will meet again to process the implications from this meeting.

A report on the status of the student after assessment will be prepared for review by the athletic administrator, chief guidance counselor and parents and the results of this status report may impact on the student’s ability to continue participation.

The self referral will be completely confidential and acknowledged only by a limited group of support staff designed for the student.

Self-Report

In an effort to encourage student athletes to seek assistance if they have violated our policy dealing with substance abuse, a person who self-reports a violation will be evaluated by a certified substance counselor (at the expense of the student/parent), compete a 10 hour drug education course provided by the high school counselor, school prevention specialist and or the athletic director. The athlete will be suspended from competition for two weeks or two games whichever is greater. The athlete will participate in all practices during the suspension. The self-reporting student will be allowed to return to competition upon completion of all requirements under this section of the policy.

If a student self-reports during their participating sport season he/she, in addition to entering the counseling program (assessment, education programs, review), and after meeting with the head coach and Athletic Director will meet with their team to explain their violation and their intent to remain chemical free in the future. Teammates will have the opportunity to share their concerns with the offending athlete and the impact the violation has had on the team. At the conclusion of this confidential meeting, the coach, Athletic Director and student will meet again to process the implications from this meeting.

Non-Voluntary Referrals

A. Use of/possession/selling/transporting or furnishing of an illegal substance

First Offense

Students will be required to participate in an awareness program which will consist of an assessment of his/her needs for dependency, counseling, educational programs and a review. Parents will be requested to participate in a portion of this effort. This program will consist of at least 10 hours of study sessions and counseling to gain back eligibility for participation.

Student will be suspended from contact with the team for 5 practice/school or game days and then prepare for return to competition for a period of 10 practice/school days. In addition,

the student will lose leadership responsibilities if he/she were serving as a captain. At the completion of the counseling and athletic preparation, the student is eligible to participate in athletics when appropriately prepared.

A student who is ineligible will not participate in end of season activities including participation at awards programs. His/her certificate of participation will be mailed during the week following the awards program.

A report on the status of the student will be prepared for review by the athletic administrator, chief guidance counselor and parents before returning to competition.

The referral will be completely confidential and acknowledged by only a limited group of support staff designed for the student.

Second Offense

A student found in violation for a second time during the school year will be suspended from athletics for the remainder of the school year. In addition, the student will be required to be re-assessed, return to the educational components of his/her prior substance program and also have his/her parents participate in a portion of the awareness offering. Again, this program will consist of a minimum of 10 hours of education.

This suspension may be appealed to the Athletic Director and the coaching staff working with this athlete. A decision to modify the suspension will be based on (a) successfully completing an outside substance abuse treatment program and (b) a request for reinstatement submitted in writing to the Athletic Director.

In the case of an appeal that is not upheld, upon the completion of the school year and the awareness program, the student will gain his/her eligibility for the next school year.

A report on the status of the student after assessment will be prepared for review by the athletic administrator, chief guidance counselor and parents prior to returning to competition eligibility.

The referral will be completely confidential and acknowledged by only a limited group of support staff designed for the student.

Adopted: 01/16/2008