Substance Abuse Policy

Substance Abuse Policy

USD 253 believes that school activities are a positive influence for students and the
community. The expectation for all of our students is to be lawful in the conduct of their
daily lives. Students who voluntarily represent USD 253 in various activities are held to a
high standard of conduct. The following guidelines reinforce the expectation of good
conduct and positive representation of USD 253 by students who participate in the
Emporia High School and Emporia Middle School athletic programs.

Participation in extracurricular activities as defined by KSHSAA is a privilege. This
privilege is available to a student for as long as the student complies with district policies,
Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) policies and coach/sponsor
rules. In the event it is confirmed that an athlete fails to comply with the guidelines
established, it will be interpreted by the Athletic Department as an indication that the
athlete does not have sufficient desire to participate in the interscholastic athletic
program. Failure to comply with any of the guidelines will result in suspension of the
privilege of competing in extracurricular activities.

Under these guidelines, an offense shall mean the use, possession, disbursement, or being
under the influence of alcohol, tobacco, inhalants, any illegal or misuse of drugs, by an
Emporia High School or Emporia Middle School student athlete during his/her time as a
student at either EHS or EMS. Any athlete suspected of an offense shall be notified of the
suspected offense and due process will be afforded to the student. The parent/guardian
will also be notified.

Substance Abuse Violation

A. With the first offense, the student athlete will be ineligible to compete for 20
consecutive days. In the event these 20 consecutive days exceed 25 percent of the
regular-season competitions based on KSHSAA guidelines, the suspension will occur
for 25 percent of the regular-season competitions. The student athlete will be
ineligible to compete beginning the first day of that athlete’s first scheduled
competition after the offense. If the 20 days continues after the end of the season, the
remaining days of suspension will begin again on the first day of that athlete’s first
competition in the athlete’s next season. Winter break, spring break, KSHSAA buffer
week or KSHSAA holiday non-practice days will NOT count toward days of
suspension. A student will also complete an assessment with a USD 253 substance
abuse counselor.

B. A “first offense” consequence will only be issued to a student athlete one time in
his/her four years of academics at Emporia High School and once during his/her two
years at Emporia Middle School. If the student athlete commits any additional
offenses during his/her years of academics at either site, the consequence will fall into
the category of an “additional offense.” Any offenses occurring at Emporia Middle
School will not carry over to Emporia High School.

C. Any additional offenses made by student athletes during their four years of academics
at Emporia High School or two years at Emporia Middle School will result in two
options for the athlete.

i. Option A: The student athlete will be ineligible to compete for 40 consecutive
days beginning the first day of that athlete’s first scheduled competition after
the offense. If the 40 days continues after the end of the season, the remaining
days of suspension will begin again on the first day of that athlete’s first
competition in the athlete’s next season. In addition, the student must
participate in a mandatory Substance Abuse Intervention Program approved by
the school and school intervention specialist. The length of the Intervention
Program will be determined by the school’s intervention specialist in
cooperation with EHS/EMS administration.

ii. Option B: The athlete will be ineligible to compete for one calendar year
starting the date the offense occurred.