Substance Abuse

As a Catholic school we are committed to providing a safe, drug-free campus. This program is designed to encourage students to be thoughtful and conscientious about their health and the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Research shows that a child’s perception of the risk of using drugs and alcohol has a significant effect on whether he/she will experiment. A mandatory testing program provides an important deterrent to students to resist cultural and peer pressure to use alcohol and drugs. 1. All students will be subject to random testing throughout the school year.

Refusal to submit to drug testing will be treated as a positive test result. 2. On a periodic basis and without prior notice, students will be selected by use of a computer-generated list, to submit to testing in accordance with the program.

Since the program is random, some students may be selected several times for a random testing during the school year. 3. Reasonable suspicion testing. Students will be tested when reasonable suspicion exists as outlined in the Substance Abuse Policy. 4. All test results will be confidential. Testing will be administered by the school nurse and monitored by the Office of the Deans of Students. Results will only be shared with the parents, Deans of Students and the Principal. 5. A positive test may result in possible disciplinary action and a substance abuse evaluation conducted by a licensed professional. Refusal to submit to professional counseling may result in immediate withdrawal from Bishop Kenny. 6. Any student who tests positive will automatically be part of testing for the remainder of the current school year. 7. Further positive tests for illegal substances will result in the Principal assembling the Administrative Review Team to determine the enrollment status of the student. 8. As a condition of enrollment at Bishop Kenny, all students are expected to refrain from using nicotine products, regardless of age. A positive nicotine test will result in that student becoming part of the testing program for the remainder of the current school year. Further positive nicotine tests will result in disciplinary action.

VOLUNTARY REFERRAL

The school encourages any student with a substance abuse problem to seek assistance for this problem with a counselor in the School Counseling Office, Campus Ministry Office, or the Dean's Ofice. The school will work cooperatively with the student and the parents to provide counseling and/or appropriate referrals. Students seeking such assistance are not subject to disciplinary action; however, voluntarily seeking assistance does not exempt a student from the stated policies and penalties for drug possession, use, or distribution at school or school-related functions.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

Intoxicants or other controlled substances in any form, including but not limited to alcohol, tobacco, vapes and e-cigarettes, illegal drugs, or unauthorized prescription medications may not be brought onto, consumed or utilized on campus or at any school sponsored activity by a student. Students who are found to possess, sell, purchase, use, transfer or be under the influence of illegal drugs or unauthorized prescription medications may be expelled from Bishop Kenny High School without the option for withdrawal.

Substance Abuse

The school takes a proactive role in preventing substance abuse by increasing student and parent awareness of the dangers of alcohol and nicotine addiction and drug abuse. The faculty and administration will continually seek to identify students whose actions indicate that they may be using drugs or alcohol. The school will utilize a variety of methods to ensure safety, including, but not limited to, the use of Jacksonville Sheriff Office drug dogs, vape detectors, and car and backpack checks.

By acceptance of enrollment, students and their parents/guardians consent to and authorize all reasonable action on the part of school authorities to enforce this policy including, but not limited to, questioning, searches, breathalyzer checks, drug tests and other investigative tools. The school reserves the right to test students for drugs, nicotine, and alcohol on campus. Refusal to submit to a nicotine test or a positive test after a vape detector alert will be treated as use of nicotine products on campus and will result in disciplinary action. Refusal to submit to a drug test will result in the principal assembling the Administrative Review Team to determine the enrollment status of the student. The student may be suspended from school until results are received, and may be required to forfeit any elected or appointed position of leadership.