Dear Parents and Guardians:
The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District recently enhanced its existing Random Drug Testing Policy by adding a random breathalyzer procedure. Random breathalyzer testing identifies those students who have consumed alcohol. The purpose of this procedure is to further underscore the District’s commitment to providing a safe environment for our students that is free of alcohol and drugs. This system of testing will be used at dances, proms, and other school activities as deemed appropriate by school administration. All other District substance abuse policies and procedures remain in effect and will be implemented in conjunction with the breathalyzer procedure as required by Board of Education policy and New Jersey statute.
At school functions, students will be randomly selected by ticket number for breathalyzer testing, which will be administered by trained staff members. A percentage of the students attending the event, predetermined by the administration, will be selected for testing. Testing will be done in a private area, using breathalyzer equipment that is calibrated and maintained as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Students whose test results are negative will receive a prize. Students whose results are positive will be detained until his or her parent can come to escort the student for further testing. All Board of Education Random Drug Testing Policies remain in effect, including the requirement after a positive result for a medical clearance to return to school, counseling, and a minimum two week removal of all co-curricular privileges including parking.
Students who refuse to take the test will be refused admission to the event, and his or her parents will be notified of the test refusal. Enforcement of all Board of Education Random Drug Testing policies and procedures will commence immediately.
Please be aware that any student who is suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, whether or not he or she was selected randomly for testing, will be subject to all associated policies, procedures, and legal consequences under New Jersey reasonable suspicion statutes and Board of Education policy.
We want all of the students in our care to make beneficial choices regarding drugs and alcohol. Breathalyzer testing offers another layer of deterrence that will help keep our students safe.
POLICY 5535 PASSIVE BREATH ALCOHOL SENSOR DEVICE
The Board of Education recognizes that a pupil’s abuse of harmful substances seriously impedes the pupil’s education and threatens the welfare of the entire school community. The Board is committed to the prevention of substance abuse and the rehabilitation of substances abusers by educational means, but will take additional necessary and appropriate steps to protect the school community from harm and from exposure to harmful substances.
In keeping with its commitment to protect all pupils and the school community from the harm of alcohol use, the Board of Education authorizes the use of a passive breath alcohol sensor device (PBASD) in certain circumstances. A PBASD enables school district staff to check an approximate alcohol level quickly and efficiently without requiring the pupil’s active participation. A PBASD may be used in certain circumstances as defined in this policy and as determined by the Building Principal or designee or the staff member(s) in charge of a school related or school sponsored event or activity. The purpose for using a PBASD is to protect pupils who may be under the influence of alcohol, other pupils, staff, and community members attending such events and to deter the use of alcohol by pupils.
The Board authorizes random PBASD screening before, during, and after school activities/events including, but not limited to: dances, athletic events, proms, class trips, drama productions, graduation ceremonies, school assemblies. When it is determined a PBASD will be used, every pupil or pupil participating in such event may be screened or the Building Principal or designee may determine to have pupils screened on a random basis.
If the PBASD screening indicates the presence of alcohol on a pupil, a second screening will be conducted. If the second screening indicates the presence of alcohol on a pupil, the matter shall be reported to the Building Principal or designee and the certified or non-certified school nurse, or the school physician according to the reporting, notification, and examination requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-12, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-4.3, and Policy and Regulation 5530 – Substance Abuse.
A PBASD will only be used in accordance with the guidelines of the Policy. The Building Principal or designee shall be responsible for the proper training of school staff members in the use of the PBASD in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
N.J.S.A. 40A-12
N.J.A.C. 6A: 16-4.1 et seq.
