Drug Testing Programs
- Discipline Policies
Drug Testing Programs
The OSSD BOT has developed policies and procedures concerning reasonable suspicion and random drug testing.
Student-Athletes, Drivers, Extracurricular Participants
All students enrolled in OSSD who are in 7th grade or higher and who (1) participate or who have expressed an intention to participate in any Ocean Springs High School and Ocean Springs Middle School athletic program and/or extracurricular activity or (2) obtain a parking permit to allow them to drive and park on the OSHS campus or (3) enroll in a drivers' education course shall be subject to drug testing to the extent and manner provided for in this policy. See OSSD BOT Policy JCDAB - Student Drug Testing Program Extracurricular Activities.
Possession and/or Reasonable Suspicion
Subject to the limitations contained in this policy, OSSD may require any student to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test if there is reasonable suspicion that the student has or is using prohibited drugs and/or alcohol:
- at school, or
- off-school property at a school-sponsored or school-approved activity event or function, or
- at any other place or time set forth in Article III of this policy, or
- is under the influence of prohibited drugs or alcohol on school property or at any school-sponsored or school-approved activity, event or function. Reasonable suspicion must be based on specific contemporaneous physical, behavioral or performance indicators of probable drug and/or alcohol use which can be articulated. Reasonable suspicion will not arise when indicators are not observed as provided in Article VIII of this policy.
The following circumstances shall constitute grounds for reasonable suspicion:
- abnormal or erratic behavior indicating intoxication in class, at school or at the event, function or activity;
- physical symptoms indicating intoxication including but not limited to glassy or bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, loss of balance, poor coordination or reflexes;
- first-hand information provided by reliable and credible (preferably adult) sources of use, possession or intoxication while at school or at a school-sponsored or school-approved function, activity or event;
- the presence of the drug on the student, detectable by the senses, such as the smell of activated marijuana or alcohol; or
- possession of illegal drugs; prescription drugs for which the student does not have a prescription; or alcohol containers or drug paraphernalia.
Any one of the above listed circumstances shall be sufficient to constitute grounds for reasonable suspicion. If one of the above listed circumstances is found, OSSD employees and administrators may, but are not required to, consider the following factors in corroboration of the finding of reasonable suspicion:
- excessive tardiness;
- decrease in academic performance;
- recent violation of school rules and regulations;
- any efforts to evade detection of the use or possession of drugs or alcohol or misrepresentations or untruths regarding the circumstances constituting grounds for reasonable suspicion;
- information provided by reliable and credible sources of use, possession, or intoxication while at school or a school-sponsored or school-approved function, event or activity;
- prior confirmed discipline for violations of this policy or violations of drug and alcohol laws.
- NOTE: If a student appears incoherent, semi-conscious, unconscious or convulsive, or appears to be hallucinating, is in respiratory distress or anaphylactic shock, or is in other mental or physical distress indicating danger or injury to the health and safety of the student, OSSD personnel shall seek immediate medical attention before any other actions under this policy are undertaken. The health of the student shall be given first priority.
Any OSSD employee who reasonably suspects that a student possesses, is using or is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol should report such suspicions to a member of the administrative staff. The employee and administrative staff member must agree that the circumstances constitute reasonable suspicion of drug and/or alcohol use before a student can be requested to take a drug or alcohol test under these provisions. The administrative staff member is required to write in reasonable detail the facts, symptoms or observations which form the basis of the reasonable suspicion.
Once reasonable suspicion is found by both the employee and the administrator, the administrator or his designee shall check to see if a consent form has been signed by the student and/or the parent/guardian. If a consent form has not been signed, the administrator shall contact the parent/guardian to sign a consent form, and the administrator should make a note of the contact. Testing shall not occur in the absence of consent by the parent/guardian. If no consent form has been signed after the finding of reasonable suspicion, and no consent is given within one (1) hour after notification to the parent/guardian, the administrator may, at his or her discretion, impose discipline based upon the reasonable suspicion, with notations of and inferences from the failure to take a drug or alcohol test after a finding of reasonable suspicion, may record the failure in the student’s discipline record after a finding of reasonable suspicion, and/or recommend counseling and drug and alcohol education.
For further information, see OSSD BOT Policies JCDAB - Student Drug Testing Program Extracurricular Activities and JCDAC - Drugs & Alcohol (Possession or Reasonable Suspicion).
- AEC
- K-3
- OSHS
- OSMS
- OSUE