Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Are consent forms still being accepted for clubs, activities, athletics, and student parking if I am already involved?

Forms are accepted on an ongoing basis for new members.  However, in order to be eligible to continue to participate, consent forms must be submitted by the second meeting of any club, activity, or sport.  Students parkers must submit their forms with their applications for parking.

If a student is planning to participate in a spring activity, should he/she fill out a consent form now? Or will there be an opportunity to do that at the start of a new activity?

Students who are not currently in an activity do not have to submit a consent form at this time.  Forms will be distributed at the start of every activity and must be returned by those who have not already given consent.  However, those who choose to enter the pool earlier are welcomed to do so.

Do students need to return the form if they do not meet any of the criteria listed at the bottom?

Students do not have to return the consent form unless they are:

a.  Involved in a school club or activity

b.  Involved in the school athletic program

c.  A participant in student parking

d.  Opting to be included despite not being involved in items a., b., and c.

By Supreme Court decision, a random testing program only applies to those students outlined above.  Students cannot be denied their right to an education, only their privilege of participating in school activities.  That is why the consequences for a positive urine screen only impact involvement in activities themselves and do not result in any suspension from the students academic program.

If students do not volunteer to be in the drug testing pool this year, will they be banned from receiving a parking pass next year?

Parking is a senior-year privilege.  Students interested in parking during senior year must give their consent to be tested when they submit their parking applications.  They would only submit the consent form sooner if involved in clubs, activities, or athletics.

Does participation in Spirit Night count as participation in a group or club?

Yes.

Is participation/attendance at other after school activities (dances, proms, etc.) dependent on being in the testing pool?

Yes.

Are faculty included in the RDAT pool?

At this time, the faculty is not included in the testing pool.

What about students who are on prescribed medications that may show up in the drug screen?

Any urine sample that tests non-negative in the nurses office will be sent to a laboratory for complete testing.  When the sample is tested at the lab, the results will be given to an independent Medical Review Officer (MRO), who will evaluate the results.  The MRO will contact the students parent/guardian to ask about any prescriptions the student may be taking, and then the MRO will verify this with the students doctor.  Based upon information provided by the students doctor, the MRO will determine if anything that is reported in the results is because of a prescribed medication.  The MRO will then make the medical determination that the urine sample is positive or negative.  In short, the sample will not be considered positive until the laboratory returns its final results to the high school. 

Do I need to submit documentation to the nurse now to verify prescriptions?

No.  That will all be addressed naturally as part of the laboratory process.  However, remember that all prescriptions that are to be taken during school hours must be registered with the nurse.  Forms are available on the website to accomplish this.

What will happen if I test positive?

For a first offense:

The students parent/guardian will remove the student from school and make arrangements for the mandatory medical examination pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-12.

The student will be suspended from participation on the team/activity/parking until the completion of a preventive education program, and upon submission of a drug and alcohol test free of any controlled dangerous substance and/or alcohol.

The student must participate in a five (5) day prevention/education program.

The student must attend a minimum of five (5) counseling sessions with the student assistance counselor.

The student may attend prevention/education programs or sign into and complete a drug/alcohol inpatient rehabilitation program and continue an aftercare program with the student assistance counselor.  The cost of the rehabilitation program is the responsibility of the students parent/guardian.

For a second offense:

The students parent/guardian will remove the student from school and make arrangements for the mandatory medical examination pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-12.

The student will be suspended from participation on the team/activity/parking for a period of sixty (60) days, after which time the student must submit a drug and alcohol test free of any controlled dangerous substance and/or alcohol.

The student must participate in a five (5) day prevention/education program.

The student must attend a minimum of ten (10) counseling sessions with the student assistance counselor.

The student may attend prevention/education programs or sign into and complete a drug/alcohol inpatient rehabilitation program and continue an aftercare program with the student assistance counselor.  The cost of the rehabilitation program is the responsibility of the students parent/guardian.

Is there any appeal process for a positive result?

The student or his/her parent/guardian may request a retest of the students specimen at their own expense at a laboratory approved by the State of New Jersey.  Requests must be made within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the results of their initial test.  The specimen previously submitted will be forwarded to the approved lab in cooperation with the district-approved outside agency responsible for confirming the testing.

Do I need to give consent to test at the start of every school year?

No.  The consent to test forms will remain on file for the duration of the students high school career, unless an activity drop form is submitted for every activity in which a student is involved.