Questions & Answers
	What you need to know about Drug Testing in KISD
	Process Diagram

	Ensure the health and safety of all students who represent the District in any competitive after-school extracurricular activities or drive a vehicle to or from school;
	Deter the use of illegal drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, and/or alcohol among the student body;
	Offer students a credible means to resist peer pressure as it relates to the use of illegal drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, and/or alcohol;
	Provide a ready source of assistance to any student who may be using illegal drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, and/or alcohol.

Katy ISD is concerned about the academic, physical and emotional wellbeing of all its students, and the district believes that it has  a responsibility to assist those in need in dealing with a variety of teen issues including drug and alcohol use, says Nancy Stiles, District Coordinator of Safe Drug Free Schools and Communities. The drug screening program is only one part of a comprehensive assistance program designed to identify students in need of help and to provide them, and their parents, with the necessary resources to deal with substance abuse issues.

At the time a student signs up to participate in a competitive after-school extracurricular activity or applies for a parking permit, a consent form will be provided for the student and parent to sign. Once the student signs and returns the consent form, his or her name is added to a database from which the names are chosen for weekly screening. 

The drug-testing vendor is responsible for all aspects of the screening, including randomly selecting students from the established pools using electronic methods, as well as collection, screening, confirmation, and review. A complete description of the drug screening process will be given to students at the time they receive their consent form.

Because the purpose of drug screening is to identify those students in need of assistance in dealing with drug and alcohol issues, students who test positive will not receive any disciplinary consequences. The only consequence is the loss of extracurricular privileges as explained in the following.

First Offense  

The student who tests positive in a random screening will be suspended from participating in any competitive after-school extracurricular practices, performances, competitions, and/or activities for a three-week period from the point of notification, just as with No Pass, No Play.  During this period, the student will undergo drug testing weekly.  If the results of the weekly tests are negative, the student will be eligible to practice and participate in performances, competitions, and/or activities on the Monday following the end of the three-week suspension period.  If the student has a second or subsequent positive result(s) in the weekly testing, the campus designee and a Student Assistance Program (SAP) coordinator will be notified to determine the frequency of additional testing and when the student can regain eligibility.

Second Offense  

The student who tests positive for a second time in a random screening will be suspended from all competitive after-school extracurricular practices, performances, competitions, and/or activities for a full six-week period.  During this period, the student will undergo drug testing each week.  If the results of these tests are negative, the student will be eligible to practice and participate in performances, competitions, and/or activities on the Monday following the end of the six-week suspension period.  If the student has a second or subsequent positive result(s) in the weekly testing, the campus designee and a SAP coordinator will be notified to determine the frequency of additional testing and when the student can regain eligibility.

Third Offense  

The student who tests positive for the third time in a random screening will be suspended from all competitive after-school extracurricular activities for a period of one calendar year from the date of the confirmation of the third positive test.

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

Students who test positive will also be referred to a SAP group implemented by trained employee volunteers. SAP is a research-based program for interaction and prevention that has been used in other school districts around the country and provides support for students who may need assistance in dealing with academic, social and other teen-related issues, including alcohol and other drug use.

SAP provides strong, small group support on the secondary level and gives students the tools and resources they need to deal with the issues they face every day. Through SAP, students will gain a greater awareness of the negative impact of drugs and alcohol, and the related high-risk behaviors that can interfere with their education and personal development. The program will also help students improve their coping and communication skills, as well as their self-esteem, which in turn will help them form healthy friendships and positive attitudes toward life and school.

Drug testing at-a-glance

	Selection for testing is random and suspicionless
	Parents have an opportunity to provide a medical explanation for a positive result before the district is notified
	There are no disciplinary consequences as a result of testing positive
	Results are confidential and protected by federal law
	Over-the-counter medications do not show up on screenings

Students who drive a vehicle to and from school or participate in, but not limited to, the following activities are subject to drug screening throughout the school year. 

	Academic decathlon
	Art
	Athletics
	Band
	Business Professionals of America
	Cheerleaders
	Choir
	Color guard
	Dance (including drill teams)
	Family, Careers & Community of America
	Future Business Leaders of America
	Future Farmers of America
	Health & Occupational Science Association
	Orchestra
	Speech & Debate
	Student drivers
	Technology Student Association
	Texas Association of Future Educators
	Theatre arts
	Vocational Industrial Clubs of America