1. *
Providing for the Future

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. * 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.
*

5. * 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
*

6. 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
*

7. * 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.
*

8. * 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.
*

9. * Amphetamines:
* Single therapeutic dose 24 hours
* High dose 2-3 days
Cocaine:
* Single of multiple doses 2-3 days
Marijuana
* Single joint 1-3 days
* Chronic use month or
longer
*

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. * Enabling: Action that you take that protects
the employee from the consequences of
his/her actions and actually helps the
employee to NOT deal with the problem.
* Examples of enabling:
* Covering up Blaming
* Rationalizing Controlling
* Withdrawing/Avoiding Threatening
*

19. * Sympathy
* Excuses
* Apology
* Diversions
* Innocence
* Anger
* Pity
* Tears
*

20. * Don’t try to diagnose the problem
* Don’t moralize. Limit comments to job
performance and conduct issues
* Don’t discuss alcohol and drug use
* Don’t be misled by sympathy-evoking tactics
* Don’t cover up. If you protect people, it
enables them to stay the same
* Don’t make threats that you do not intend to
carry out
*

21. * Whenever you have a suspicion that an
employee may be in violation of the Drug-Free
Workplace Policy, before taking any action, call
the Director of Human Resources (Wilma
Widmer).
* Take the necessary steps to move the
employee into a private area; you want to
make sure to keep down the contact with
students and co-workers.
*

22. * Keep the discussion of the incident to a
minimum.
* Do not try to link this with other events when
you are talking to the individual.
* Let them know that the HR Director will
answer the questions that they might have.
* Do not give them any ideas that you may have
on how the situation will play out.
*