This document provides information about a school district's drug and alcohol policy for employees. It notes that teachers and school officials have special responsibilities as role models, and various state and federal laws require drug testing and education. The policy prohibits illegal drug and alcohol use, even off duty, and employees must report any related arrests or convictions. Violations can result in penalties up to termination. The document reviews common drugs of abuse, signs of use, testing methods, and statistics on drug and alcohol use in the general population and among youth. It stresses the importance of maintaining a drug-free workplace.

1. Providing for the Future
*Employee

2. *
*The unique and important role that teachers
and other school officials play in the lives of
school children and the loco parentis
obligations this imposes upon them make it
imperative for the School District to ensure
that no one in these positions is engaged in the
use of illegal drugs or abuse of legally
prescribed drugs or alcohol.

3. *
*The State of Georgia Drug-Free Workplace Act of
1990, the Federal Drug-Free Schools and
Communities Act of 1989, and Drug-Free Workplace
Act of 1988, require that we do this training
annually.
*Each year all employees are given a copy of the
current Board Drug-Free Workplace Policy. Attached
to each is a signature sheet that the employee signs
and returns to the HR department. The signature
sheet then becomes a part of the employee’s
permanent file.

4. *Key Point to
Remember!
Any illegal drug or illegal alcohol use, including arrest relating
to such illegal drug or alcohol use, while off duty is a violation
of this policy. An employee shall notify the Superintendent in
writing of any criminal drug or alcohol arrest and/or
conviction no later that five (5) calendar days after such arrest
or conviction. In the event of conviction or other clear
evidence of guilt, the Superintendent shall, within 30 days of
notification of such conviction or other evidence, take
appropriate personnel action against such employee, up to and
including termination.

5. *
*What drugs does the policy address:
*Illegal Drugs
*Legal or prescription drugs being misused
*Alcohol
For Certified employees, violations related to the
above substances can lead to the loss of your
professional certificate.

6. *
*Know the Penalties and Consequences
*Positive test for drugs or alcohol-immediate
suspension or termination
*Possible loss of professional certificate
*Possible legal charges and penalties

7. *
Reasonable Suspicion
Random Testing: This includes all employees of
WCPS. Be aware, know the signs of drug and
alcohol use in the workplace.
*Confidentially: Remember-Respect-Remain
above reproach

8. *
*How does the use and abuse of alcohol and
drugs affect the workplace?
*The number of workplace accidents
*Additional cost in repair and replacement of
equipment and supplies
*The absenteeism rate from work
*The quality of work and output
*The morale of co-workers and others in the
workforce.

9. *
*Methods of testing: Because of the widespread
number of drugs used today, WCPS may use a
variety of methods to determine use and levels
of drugs and alcohol within the employee’s
system.

10. *
*In 2009, 30.2 million people age 12 or older
reported driving while under the influence of
alcohol.
*In 2009, 10.5 million persons reported driving
while under the influence of illicit drugs.

11. *
*In 2009, an estimated 21.8 million Americans
were current illicit drug users. (current
meaning used in the last month). This
represents 8.7% of the population age 12 or
older.
*Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine
(including crack), heroin, hallucinogens,
inhalants, or prescription type
psychotherapeutics used non-medically.

12. *
*Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit
drug. In 2009, there were 16.7 million past
month users.
*In 2009, there were 1.6 million current cocaine
users.
*Hallucinogens had 1.3 million past month
users.

13. *
*In 2009, there were 7 million persons (2.8%)
who used prescription type psychotherapeutic
drugs non-medically in the past month.
*The number of methamphetamine users in
2009 was 502,000.
*Of the 19.3 million current illicit drug users age
18 or older in 2009, 12.9 million were
employed either full or part time.

14. *
*In 2009, there were 617,000 persons age 12 or
older who had used cocaine for the first time.
This is an average of approximately 1700 new
users per day. Of the 617,000 new users,
176,000 were under the age of 18.
*In 2009, there were 180,000 persons age 12 or
older who used heroin for the first time. In
2008, that number was 118,000.

15. *
*In 2009, there were 1.3 million persons age 12
or older, who had used hallucinogens for the
first time.
*The number of first time users of LSD, age 12
or older was 337,000 in 2009.
*There was a significant increase in the first
time users of ecstasy between 2008 (894,000)
and 2009 (1.1 million). The number of first
time users under 18 was 375,000 in 2009.

16. *
*Slightly more that half of Americans, age 12 or
older reported being current drinkers of
alcohol in 2009. This is 51.9 % of the population
or an estimated 130.6 million people.
*In 2009, 59.6 million people age 12 or older
participated in binge drinking.
*In 2009, heavy drinking was reported by 6.8%
of the population age 12 or older. This is about
17.1 million persons.

17. *
*Most, (85.5%) of the 4.6 million first time users
of alcohol was under the age of 21.
*People who are not current users of alcohol are
less likely to use illicit drugs.

18. *
*Whenever you have a suspicion that an
employee may be in violation of the Drug-Free
Workplace Policy, notify your administrator
immediately.