|
All BHS athletes face drug tests |
|
Monday, 01 February 2010 |
By LESLIE MIELKE
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
BLACKFOOT — If an individual wishes to participate in sports at Blackfoot High School, he or she is required to submit to drug testing.
“We test every athlete in every sport,” said Blackfoot High School principal Blaine McInelly.
This testing occurs sometime after the sport has started and before the first contest, he said. “Ten percent of the athletes are randomly tested throughout the season.”
An assistant high school principal and athletic director test the male athletes, said McInelly. Two females, a para-professional and a counselor, administer the test to the female athletes.
The urinalysis test costs $7 per cup and is paid for by the Drug Free Schools grant from the state, McInelly said. Each test looks for cocaine, opiates, THC, amphetamines and meth.
During the last school year, 2009-2010, 331 male student athletes were tested and 219 female athletes. “We use between 500 and 600 kits per year,” the principal said.
If a student athlete tests positive for the use of alcohol or the unauthorized or illegal use of a drug or drugs, that person has three options, according to the Blackfoot School District drug policy.
After the first instance, that person may:
· Participate in a drug assistance program for a period of at least six (6) weeks, including submission to weekly urinalysis or
· Be suspended from participation in all interscholastic athletics for the remainder of the sport season for such sport.
· Failure by the student to select an option within 72 hours after notification of the test results shall be deemed to be a selection of option number two.
McInelly said the Drug Free School grant from the state pays for the six weeks of weekly urinalysis testing.
If student has a second positive result, “that’s it,” McInelly said.
The drug policy states, If any student has a second positive result, “the student athlete will be suspended from participating in athletics for the reminder of the sport season. . .and the next sport season for any sport for which the student is eligible and qualified to participate.”
“The goal of our drug policy is not to be punitive but pro-active; making students aware of consequences,” McInelly said.
“First, it’s a health issue,” he said. “We want students to have and maintain good health.
“Second, we want them to know experimenting has consequences.
“It’s a prevention program as much as anything,” McInelly said. “We really believe we are doing what’s best for students at BHS.”
Superintendent Dr. Scott Crane concurred. The drug policy is “to help students; it is not vindictive or punitive.
“It is to be educational,” said Crane.
Under the drug policy guidelines, the testing is kept absolutely confidential, except for the parent/legal guardian, student and test laboratory personnel. Parents can also request testing to be done.
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 February 2010 )
|
