Expanded High School Drug And Alcohol Policy Approved For 2016-2017

The Diocese of Evansville is proud to have four Catholic high schools: Rivet High School, Vincennes; Washington Catholic High School, Washington; Mater Dei High School, Evansville; and Reitz Memorial High School, Evansville. Please take note that we have adopted an expanded Diocesan policy for deterring the use of alcohol and drugs by our students. Our Catholic schools are committed to educating the whole person, and this policy states, “The use of alcohol and other drugs is a serious threat to the health and well-being of youth.” As a result of this Diocesan policy, all Catholic high schools will be adopting new policies related to drug and alcohol use and testing. Each high school is required to have certain elements in their policies. However, the implementation will differ depending on the individual needs at the school, and the roll-out for each school may occur later than the first semester of the school year.

We have researched, reviewed, and communicated recommendations regarding the policies and practices that address the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco by our students. After thoroughly studying research, community resources and policies at many other Catholic high schools, the Diocese of Evansville has decided to implement random drug testing for students in grades 9-12. In addition to random testing, other changes made to existing policy are being made to address reasonable suspicion, helping mechanisms and discipline measures. The primary goal of the new policy is to deter alcohol and drug use by our students, and to help them understand the negative impact of drug and alcohol use on their health, their relationships, and their future.

Substance abuse often begins with casual drug and alcohol use during the teen years. Helping our students make good choices can save them from long-term problems related to abuse and addiction. We cannot responsibly ignore the statistics:

In the United States,

• Nearly one-third young people ages 12-17 have used an illicit drug.

• 64% of teens say they have used prescription pain killers they got from a friend or family     member.

Multiple research studies show that the earlier students start using alcohol and drugs, the more likely they are to develop substance use disorders, and the more likely they are to engage in other high-risk behaviors that put themselves and others at grave risk.

Although there is no evidence of widespread alcohol and substance abuse among our student body, even one student at risk is too many.  “If we knew a student was hungry, would we not feed him or her? If we knew a student was about to make a dangerous, destructive, or even deadly decision, would we not protect him or her, or arm him or her with what he or she needed to make a better decision? If we knew that a student was in trouble with substance abuse or addiction, would we not get him or her help? Of course we would. Every parent who may one day struggle with their child’s drug addiction, dependence on alcohol or worse would have given anything to have known their child needed help in time to do something about it.” – Dr. George B. Elder, Vice President, Psychemedics Corp.

We believe that random drug testing will give our students a very important tool in combating peer pressure – they can say, “I can’t; my school tests.”

Students who test positive will be required to participate in Drug and Alcohol Awareness training, and/or receive a professional assessment and treatment plan. Parents will be involved in these intervention efforts.

In addition to random drug screening, the new policy will include measures aimed at helping students understand the gravity of their choices and educate them on the risks of alcohol and drug use. We are committed to educating our students in the life skills that lead to success – including saying no to intoxicating substances.

One of the hallmarks of a Catholic education is that parents are recognized as the first and primary educators of their children. We also understand that the school is an important and integral partner in this primary endeavor – to raise children of God. It is in this spirit that we have invested significant time and energy into developing this expanded policy. Your local high school will be providing you details specific to your child’s school.  

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for our administrators, teachers, students and all of our school families.