FILE:  GAMD

 

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

 

 

The Richland Parish School Board, in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, recognizes its obligation in providing and maintaining a drug-free workplace to remain eligible to receive federal grants and in support of local, state and national efforts to achieve drug-free schools and communities.

 

The Richland Parish School Board shall:

 

  1. Advise all employees through the distribution of this policy that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance and/or intoxicants are prohibited in any workplace with the Richland Parish School System.  For any Richland Parish School Board employee, the consequences of violation of this prohibition shall be any or all of the following based on the specific offense:  Testing for presence of drugs/alcohol in body by a recognized hospital or chemical dependency unit, counseling, reprimanding, termination, suspension without pay while the case is pending in court.  Confirmed or substantial evidence of the use, sale or possession of controlled substances by any Richland Parish School Board employee while off duty or off school premises shall result in any or all of the following:

 

  1. Requiring the employee to submit to a drug test from a recognized hospital or chemical dependency unit and presenting to the Superintendent of or his/her designee certification from the agency performing the test that employee is drug free.

  2. Immediate suspension without pay and recommendation for job termination.

 

Upon request when an administrator has reasonable suspicion that an employee may be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other form of narcotics or illegal substances, the employee shall present himself/herself to a School Board approved testing facility for a certified urinalysis for substance abuse or blood or other test for alcohol abuse and make the results available to the Superintendent and/or his/her designee.  The School Board shall pay the reasonable cost of the drug or alcohol test.  If the employee fails to appear for testing after the request as scheduled, the employee shall be in violation of this policy.

 

In determining reasonable suspicion, the administrator should document the occurrences, events, and/or personal characteristics that lead the administrator to reasonably suspect the employee may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Factors that may cause reasonable suspicion include, but are not limited to:  blood shot eyes, glassy eyes, erratic behavior, slurred speech, odor, drowsiness, lack of coordination, etc.

 

  1. The Richland Parish School Board will notify all employees that, as a condition of employment under the grant, all employees will abide by the preceding statement and notify the Superintendent or a designated representative of the drug statute violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.  The Superintendent or a designated representative will notify the agency within ten (10) days after receiving notice from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction.

  2. The Richland Parish School Board shall take one or more of the following actions within thirty (30) days of receiving notice with respect to any employee who is so convicted:

 

  1. Taking appropriate personnel action against such an employee, up to and including termination; or

  2. Requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a federal, state or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency.

 

  1. A Drug Awareness Program developed by Richland Parish School Board will inform all employees about:

 

  1. The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace.

  2. The School Board's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace.

  3. Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and/or employee assistance programs.

  4. The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug violations occurring in the workplace.

 

  1. The Richland Parish School System will make a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of areas previously outlined.

 

Revised:  March 12, 2019

 

 

Ref:    20 USC 7101 et seq. (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities)

21 USC 812 (Schedules of Controlled Substances)

41 USC 8101 et seq. (Drug-Free Workplace)

21 CFR 1308.11 et seq. (Schedules of controlled substances)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง14:91.7, 17:240, 17:402, 17:403, 17:404, 17:405, 40:961, 40:962, 40:963, 40:964, 40:967, 40:968, 40:969, 40:970, 40:971, 40:971.1

Board minutes, 3-1-93, 10-4-94, 3-12-19

 

Richland Parish School Board