Substance Abuse Policy

Substance abuse, according to our policy, is defined as the unauthorized use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and/or mind or mood altering drugs.

Bishop Garrigan High School recognizes that the issue of substance abuse is a serious problem which confronts teens today. It can be very difficult to choose not to drink or use drugs in a society which tolerates and even encourages the abuse of alcohol and drugs.

Bishop Garrigan High School also recognizes that membership and participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities can have a very positive effect in the development of constructive attitudes for future citizenship. Moreover, when a student chooses to take part in an activity, he/she takes on an added responsibility to other participants and becomes a public representative of our school.

For these reasons, it is our belief that use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs is a serious breach of conduct and must be dealt with by disciplinary action. However, more important than disciplinary action is the need of the student for education on problems related to substance abuse.

The following statements will clarify Bishop Garrigan’s general policies regarding substance abuse:

Bishop Garrigan High School students are prohibited from the possession, use, sale or distribution of substance governed by this policy, as defined in the first paragraph above, and also are prohibited from hosting or providing a site for events featuring such abuse.

Students guilty of an infraction of these prohibitions and who are participants of any Bishop Garrigan activity program are subject to the penalties detailed on the following pages.

For athletes, cheerleaders, and danz squad:

First Offense:

The student shall be required to attend substance abuse classes conducted through the Chemical Dependency Center in Algona. The student shall be ineligible for 10% of the scheduled meets or performances in his/her activity. This commitment will be administered through a behavioral contract outlining the specific duties and the time line of the commitment.

Second Offense:

Second offense is one that occurs within a twelve month period of the first offense.

The student shall be required to attend additional substance abuse classes and may even be required to have professional evaluation, at his/her own expense. The student shall be ineligible for 25% of the scheduled meets or performances. If 25% ineligibility cannot be completed during the current season, it shall be carried over and completed during the following season.

Third Offense:

If the third offense occurs within 12 months after the time of the first offense, the student shall be suspended for a period of one year from participation in all activities. If the 3rd offense occurs within a 24 month period from the 2nd offense, the options for the second offense apply.

Special Notes:

1) Violations will accumulate beginning with the first infraction and continue for the next 12 months.

2) Any student who fails to notify school officials within one week after violating the substance abuse conduct rules will be suspended from all activities for 12 calendar months after this failure to report is discovered.

3) If a student does not successfully complete restitution within the time limit allowed, he/she will be suspended indefinitely.

For Band, Choral, Drama, Student Council, etc.

1) First Offense--A student found guilty will be required to attend substance abuse classes at the Chemical Dependency Center in Algona. Furthermore, the student will be placed on probation for a period of not less than two, and not more than six weeks. Breaking probation may result in expulsion from the activity.

2) Second Offense--If the offense occurs after the time of probation, a conference will be held with the student’s parents, and the student must have counseling services for teenagers that deal directly with substance abuse. Any evaluation expense incurred will be the student’s responsibility. Additional sanctions will be determined.

3) Additional Offense--Additional counseling is required. Furthermore, the student becomes ineligible for participation in the activity.

For students not involved in the above:

1) First Offense--A student found guilty will be required to attend substance classes at the Chemical Dependency Center in Algona. In addition, the student will give some hours of service to the school in a manner to be specified.

2) Second Offense--After a review a conference will be held with the student’s parents. The student will agree to meet with a counselor and be involved in outside agencies that have counseling services for teenagers, that deal directly with substance abuse.

Any evaluation expense incurred will be the student’s responsibility. Additional sanctions will be determined.

3) Additional Offense--Further counseling is required and the student will give additional time to school or community.

Important--Rumors--A student will be called in by a coach, advisor or administration of information comes via the “rumor route.” The student will be informed of the situation and updated on the consequences of unapproved conduct.

The general tone of the Bishop Garrigan policy is intended to be of assistance to the students, so that proper education and guidance will be provided for both high school and post-graduate years. All staff members, family members and others are urged to give students any assistance needed.

Violation of Civil Law Students in violation of civil law are subject to the same consequences as outlined in our Substance Abuse Policy. Violations of this nature follow the same sequence as our Substance Abuse Policy.