FILE:  GAMD

 

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

 

 

The East Feliciana Parish School Board considers its employees as a valuable resource and their health and safety is a serious concern.  The East Feliciana Parish School Board shall not tolerate any substance abuse or use which imperils the health and well-being of its employees or threatens its services to the public.

 

The use of illegal drugs and abuse of alcohol or other controlled substances, on or off duty, is inconsistent with law abiding behavior expected of all citizens.  Employees who use illegal drugs or abuse alcohol or other controlled substance on or off duty, tend to be less productive, less reliable, and prone to greater absenteeism, resulting in the potential for increased cost, delay and risk in providing services.  Ultimately, they threaten the School Board's ability to serve the public.

 

Furthermore, employees have the right to work in a drug and alcohol free environment and to work with persons free from the effects of drug or alcohol abuse.  Employees who abuse drugs or alcohol are a danger to themselves and to other employees.  In addition, substance abuse inflicts a terrible toll on the School Board's productive resources and the health and well-being of School Board workers and their families.

 

The East Feliciana Parish School Board is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workforce, free from the influence of substance abuse.  In addition, the East Feliciana Parish School Board will vigorously comply with the requirements of the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Drug-Free Workplace - a site for the performance of work at which employees are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.

 

Controlled Substance - any drug, substance or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V of La.  Rev. .Stat. Ann. §40:964 or Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 USC 812).

 

Criminal Drug Statute - a criminal statute involving manufacture, distribution, dispensation, use or possession of any controlled substance.

 

Conviction - a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or imposition of sentences, or both, by a judicial body charged with the responsibility to determine violations of the federal or state criminal drug statutes.

 

REQUIREMENTS

 

The East Feliciana Parish School Board shall require the maintenance of a drug-free workplace and workforce free of other substance abuse.

           

A.

Reporting to work or performing work for the School Board while under the influence of and/or impaired by illegal drugs or alcohol shall be strictly prohibited.

 

B.

The illegal use, possession, dispensation, distribution, manufacture, or sale of controlled substances by employees at the work site, and while on duty or on call for duty shall be strictly prohibited.

 

C.

Violation of such prohibitions by School Board employees shall be considered conduct detrimental to School Board service and may result in discipline and/or a directive to participate in a rehabilitation program.

 

D.

Employees shall be required, in accordance with federal law, to notify the employing School Board agency head or designee within five (5) days of conviction under any criminal drug statute where such conviction occurred in the workplace, while on official business, during work hours or when on call for duty.

 

Any employee who is convicted of violating any criminal drug statute in such workplace situations as stated above, may be subject to discipline and/or a directive to participate in a rehabilitation program.

 

E.

Agencies who receive federal grants or contracts must report any such criminal drug statute convictions of their employees to the federal agency from which grants or contracts are received within ten (10) days after receiving notice from the employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction.

 

F.

Employees will be given a copy of the Board's Drug Free Workplace policy. Employees shall be informed that they must abide by the terms of the policy as a condition of employment and of the consequences of any violation of such policy.  Notification of this policy shall be part of any new employee orientation.

 

Assistance Program

 

The Board shall encourage and support their employees in seeking rehabilitation services and should assist them in utilizing any available State supported services.  Use of sick, annual, and compensatory leave and leave without pay for purposes of bona fide rehabilitation efforts shall be encouraged.

 

Awareness Program

 

The East Feliciana Parish School Board will strive to educate employees about the dangers of substance abuse.

 

Re-Adopted:  August 4, 1998

 

 

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

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. §§17:240, 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, 7-3-90, 8-4-98

 

East Feliciana Parish School Board