Students who are enrolled in programs with required drug and alcohol testing will be subject to pre-screen and random drug testing according to Mitchell Tech administrative rules herein described. These rules will be interpreted, administered, and amended by Mitchell Tech as necessary within its discretion.
Pre-Screening Requirement
Mitchell Tech requires that a pre-screening for controlled substances be administered to all students who are enrolled in programs with required drug and alcohol testing. Mitchell Tech will make arrangements for all students enrolled in these programs to be pre-screened using a urine test during the first ten days of school. The cost of the pre-screen test is included in the students’ fees.
Any student who refuses to submit to the pre-screening test will be dismissed from the program.
Random Testing
Students enrolled in programs with required drug and alcohol testing will be subjected to random urine drug testing and breath alcohol testing throughout their enrollment in the program. After the pre-screen is conducted, the students’ names will be entered into a selection pool for random testing; the students’ names will remain in the pool while enrolled in the program. Random selection is done without bias and includes all persons whether previously tested or not. All students in the selection pool are subject to repeat testing.
Mitchell Tech has presently contracted with a private entity for random selection and testing. Random selections will be completed each quarter, and an appointed contact person within the College will be notified of the date for random testing. All random testing will be unannounced and reasonably spread throughout the year. Testing will be completed as soon as possible after the student is notified of a pending test. A student will never receive prior notice of the testing date and time. Any medical condition restricting the student’s ability to perform a urine drug test or breath alcohol test must be documented by a medical physician and recorded in that student’s file.
Test Procedures
Urine specimens will be used to test for drugs using a standard 10 panel drug test. The drug test will look for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine metabolite, opiates, phencyclidine, methadone, methaqualone, propoxyphene, marijuana metabolite, and creatinine. Specimen collection, handling, and testing procedures will be conducted according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) guidelines. To ensure the accuracy of drug test results, the College will utilize a third party laboratory that conforms to DHHS and NIDA guidelines. A breath alcohol test will be used to test for alcohol use.
Positive Test Results After Random Testing
A student with a positive test result will meet with the Dean of Student Success or designee to determine disciplinary and treatment options that the student must follow in order to be reinstated into school. Mitchell Tech’s intent is to establish a positive environment in which these problems can be addressed locally in a helpful and supportive rather than a punitive way.
If a student tests positive for alcohol (0.02 or higher), the student will be removed from classes and taken home. A breath alcohol test administered the following day must be considered negative for alcohol concentration before the student may return to classes. If a student tests positive for alcohol in a subsequent follow-up test, the student will be referred to a substance abuse professional (SAP) and must complete a prescribed treatment plan and follow-up testing in order to remain enrolled in the program at Mitchell Tech. The student can continue to attend classes until such time as they can meet with the SAP as long as they test negative on alcohol tests that will be administered daily. The student is responsible for the cost of the initial referral to a SAP. The student will be responsible for the cost of any follow-up counseling or treatment and any follow-up drug testing.
If a student tests positive for drug use, the student will be immediately suspended from school until Mitchell Tech receives results from the review by the medical review officer. Based on the medical review officer’s report of a positive drug test, the student will be required to meet with a substance abuse professional (SAP) to determine the counseling or treatment plan the student must follow to remain enrolled at Mitchell Tech. The student would also be subject to unannounced follow-up testing as determined by the SAP in order to remain in classes. The student is responsible for the cost of the initial referral to a SAP. The student will be responsible for the cost of any follow-up counseling or treatment and any follow-up drug testing.
Cannabidiol (CBD) use is not a legitimate medical explanation for a laboratory-confirmed marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) positive result. Therefore, Medical Review Officers will verify a drug test confirmed at the appropriate cutoffs as positive, even if the person being tested states he or she only used a CBD product.
All positive tests for drug use (refusal to submit to a test or an altered specimen is considered a positive test result) will be reviewed by a medical review officer who is a licensed physician with knowledge of substance abuse disorders. The medical review officer will interpret and evaluate the results of each test, along with relevant medical information, including possession of a medical marijuana card, about each student, to determine whether or not a positive test resulted. If the result of the test is positive, the medical review officer will also determine if the student was impaired at the time of the test because of drug use. (Students who use medical marijuana pursuant to a validly issued written certification when not on property controlled by the College may subsequently report to class or participate in activities as long as such use does not cause impairment or disrupt academic or campus activities.) The medical review officer will contact the student whose test is positive or whose test has been altered or refused. Mitchell Tech will also be notified of a positive test result.
Based on the medical review officer’s review of a positive drug test, the student will be required to meet with a substance abuse professional (SAP) to determine the counseling or treatment plan the student must follow to remain enrolled at Mitchell Tech. The student would also be subject to unannounced follow-up testing as determined by the SAP in order to remain in classes. The student is responsible for the cost of the initial referral to a SAP. The student will be responsible for the cost of any follow-up counseling or treatment and any follow-up drug testing.
When the student has completed the treatment plan as outlined by the substance abuse professional, the student’s name will be returned to the selection pool for random drug testing as long as the student remains enrolled in the program.
If the results of a positive drug test are confirmed by a medical review officer and are not the result of medication currently prescribed to the student, the student will be dismissed from any zero-tolerance program which currently includes the Power Line Construction & Maintenance and Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology programs. The zero-tolerance policy is consistent with industry standards and is recommended by industry. For purposes of this section, a prescription does not include a written certification for use of medical marijuana, pursuant to SDCL 34-20G-1(23).
Zero Tolerance Programs
The Power Line Construction & Maintenance and Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology programs at Mitchell Tech are zero-tolerance programs regarding a positive drug test. If the results of a positive drug test are confirmed by a medical review officer and are not the result of medication currently prescribed to the student, the student will be dismissed from the program. The zero-tolerance policy is consistent with industry standards and is recommended by industry. For purposes of this section, a prescription does not include a written certification for use of medical marijuana, pursuant to SDCL 34-20G-1(23).