XYZ Charter School Drug-Free School Policy

As a principal of XYZ Charter School, there are many rules that need to be set in place to keep the students and staff safe. But, with safety there comes policies, standards and situations in our schools that have set the need to adopt written policies. One issue that needs to be addressed is the use of Anabolic Steroids. Whether students are introduced to this drug at home or in the schools, our job as administrators and advocates are to educate our student body of the dangers of this drug and to also implement a drug free environment.

One of the substances that is plaguing are schools are anabolic steroids. Anabolic Steroids are “synthetically produced variants of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone” (USDOJ). The steroids are used to help treat men with testosterone issues or imbalances. The most common use for them is to help improve athletic ability. According to the article from Drug Facts, “Bodybuilders and athletes often use anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance” (Medline Plus). Anabolic Steroids can be taken by injection, mouth, patches or implanting under the skin. Besides the athletic and performance advantage, they are often prescribed by doctors to treat a variety of health issues such as breast cancer, treatment of the loss of testicle function and in animal care. These uses of anabolic steroids are a benefit and otherwise legal use for those who need them. However there are illegal and physical dangers to using this drug. Most often these drugs are smuggled into the United States which foregoes requiring a prescription and ends up in the hands of our youth. Another danger is health problems that occur when abusing this drug. Most notably is high blood pressure, severe acne, sterile in men, infertility in women, and increased facial hair in women. Psychological disorders are often noticed in someone who is influenced by steroids including mood swings, depression and aggression. These disorders are sometimes noticed first as a sign of a drug abuse before the physical effects.

As stated above the psychological disorders are often noticed first and we must have a policy in place to detect if a student is under the influence and identify the next steps. One step in detection is a drastic change in grades, and another is reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion is defined as “a legal standard that applies in different criminal-law contexts, most often where searches and seizures are involved.” (NOLO).

The reasonable suspicion is based upon the direct observance, possession of the drug, abnormal behavior and other credible sources to support the suspicion. A student of XYZ Charter School is required to take a drug test if there is enough reasonable suspicion that they are under the influence and without a prescription from a doctor. If the behavior is noted than the student will be escorted to a medical facility for further testing. Furthermore, if the test is positive, the parents will be notified and the student will be required to enter a treatment program. If the student declines than further disciplinary actions will result up to and including expulsion.

As a principal at the XYZ Charter School, I propose that we institute a drug-free policy, for the well-being of our students is most important and implementing, a policy will further the commitment as an organization to identify the problem of steroid use. To keep an open mind on these steroids it’s important that not only our students, faculty, and parents know about this issue and that we get this awareness out now in order to create a safe learning environment for all the students in our schools, and the community.

Works Cited

1. “Anabolic Steroids.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 29 Aug. 2018, medlineplus.gov/anabolicsteroids.html. Date Accessed: 12 October 2018
2. “Anabolic Steroids.” Steroid Abuse, USDOJ, Mar. 2004, www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/brochures/steroids/public/. Date Accessed: 12 October 2018
3. Fish, Lisa. “Anabolic Steroids | Hormone Health Network.” Hormone.org, 2018, www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/steroid-and-hormone-abuse/anabolic-steroids. Date Accessed: 12 October 2018
4. Houchins, Joe. “Symptoms and Signs of Drug Abuse.” DrugAbuse.com, 11 Aug. 2018, drugabuse.com/library/symptoms-and-signs-of-drug-abuse/. Date Accessed: 12 October 2018
5. Osta, Rabih El, et al. “Anabolic Steroids Abuse and Male Infertility.” Basic and Clinical Andrology, BioMed Central, 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4744441/. Date Accessed: 12 October 2018
6. Robinson, Lawrence. “Drug Abuse and Addiction.” Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction, Help Guide, Sept. 2018, www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/drug-abuse-and-addiction.htm. Date Accessed: 12 October 2018
7. Schwartzbach, Micah. “What Is Reasonable Suspicion?” Www.nolo.com, Nolo, 23 Aug. 2016, www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-reasonable-suspicion.html. Date Accessed: 12 October 2018