Additional information can be found at trinityrocks.com.

An Important Addition to Trinitys Health and Well-Being Initiatives

We initiate this drug-testing out of a deep concern for the health and well-being of students. 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. Although there is no evidence of widespread substance abuse among our student body, even one student at risk is one too many. This program gives our students five very powerful words. I cant. My school tests. Catholic high schools using this program hear from their students that having this out is a great tool for fighting peer pressure. This initiative will bring parents greater peace of mind. Knowing that your son is subject to random drug and alcohol testing and therefore more equipped to resist or avoid situations of peer pressure may somewhat ease the angst that you (and all parents) have about the decisions teens make. This increased peace of mind among parents was evident when we studied and visited Catholic schools around the United States that have similar testing policies. Why hair testing? Testing a hair sample offers significantly greater detection ability than other methods of analyzing body fluids like urine or saliva. Many drugs are undetectable in urine as early as 72 hours after use, whereas they can be detected in hair samples for several months after ingestion. Additionally, it is much more difficult to adulterate or substitute hair samples and collection is much less intrusive, as well as more cost-effective.

What drugs can be detected by hair testing? Cocaine, marijuana, opiates (including heroin, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and hydromorphone), methamphetamines, ecstasy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA), phencyclidine (PCP) and oxymorphone (opana) can all be detected through the hair sample. A standard test of head hair cut close to the scalp can provide a several-month window to detect drug use.

Can alcohol abuse also be detected through hair testing? Yes. We will also randomly test for binge drinking. Who will conduct the testing? We partner with Psychemedics Corporation, the worlds largest provider of hair testing for the detection of drug abuse. Psychemedics has been conducting drug testing since 1987, and has conducted testing for hundreds of schools and colleges. In addition to Catholic high schools in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Memphis and elsewhere, its patented process is used by Fortune 500 companies, major police departments and other public entities. More information is available at psychemedics.com or schooldrugtesting.com.

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Will the test results appear on a students permanent record? No. How are parents contacted following the testing of their son? The principal or an assistant principal will contact the parent(s) by mail if the results are negative (no drugs). If the test results are positive (drugs detected), the principal or an assistant principal will inform the parent(s) via telephone. Following that phone conversation, the parent(s) and their son will be required to meet with the principal or an assistant principal. What happens if there is a first positive test? The principal or an assistant principal will meet with the parent(s) and student, go over the results and encourage them to use community resources to intercede in this poor decision-making. During this phase of drug testing, no school consequences will occur. School counselors are available for support. Once a student tests positive, he will be tested every 100 days until further notice.

What happens after a second positive test? A second positive test will result in dismissal from Trinity if the family and student have taken no action to address the first positive result. If he is allowed to remain, mandatory counseling and discipline consequences will be imposed.

Does this mean your existing drug- and alcohol-policy is being replaced? No. We will continue the same policies for students who are found under the influence or who bring to school or school events alcohol, prescription drugs or other illegal chemicals. We will continue expelling any student judged to have sold or promoted the sale of drugs, alcohol or other unsafe substances/paraphernalia. What happens when a student voluntarily admits to using drugs or drinking? Students involved with alcohol or drug use are encouraged to seek help by speaking confidentially with a school counselor. When this happens, no disciplinary action is taken; rather, our counselor helps the student and his family find appropriate resources to address the problem. Are other local Catholic high schools using a program like this? Bethlehem High School in Bardstown, Ky., and Providence High School in southern Indiana have been conducting alcohol and/or drug testing for many years. Catholic high schools in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, New York, California, Louisiana, Tennessee and Kansas have been conducting hair testing for some time.

What they are saying: This program was enacted by the Trinity School Board, after much study and prayer, because it will provide important support to our young men and their families. It is completely focused on the long-term well-being of our students. It is also in keeping with our mission to form Men of Faith and Men of Character. Robert Hawkins 69, Chair of the Trinity High School Board of Directors I wholeheartedly endorse our new policy of random drug testing for our students. I find it fully commensurate with Jesus caring Gospel imperatives of charity and justice as well as totally in compliance with our mission of faith and character formation in Catholic Education. Rev. David H. Zettel 58, Chaplain, Trinity High School

Rockhurst High School, a Jesuit high school for young men in Kansas City, has conducted mandatory random drug and alcohol tests on its students since August 2013. Fundamentally a therapeutic program, the testing has resulted in only one dismissal to date (March 2015). The program is widely supported by the parents and has been accepted by the students as a key component in the schools student-wellness initiative. Rev. Terrence A. Baum, S.J., President

I commend the Trinity community for taking this important step in keeping our youth safe! Providence High School implemented the drug testing program two years ago as a way to help our students say no to drugs. Like Trinity, we want our students to adhere to the values of Catholic education, so we are committed to helping them live a more authentic Christian lifestyle. Drug testing has had a positive impact on our community, and we believe the Trinity family will see many benefits with this new initiative. Melinda K. Ernstberger Ed.D., Principal

Trinitys programs to address substance abuse are the most thorough and well-thought out I have yet to encounter. All of this will be strengthened as your accountability program expands. No wonder Trinity stands out! Dr. George B. Elder, Vice President, Psychemedics Corporation

I just wanted to extend a thank you for initiating the wellness/drug screening program. I am pleased SIHS is taking a stand. As a mother and pediatric registered emergency nurse working in a suburban hospital, I have seen how drugs have damaged the lives of young adults over the past year (especially 15- to 21-year old white males living in the suburbs). My husband and I choose to send our son to SIHS for many reasons, and helping to eliminate/abolish drug use and hold students and parents accountable for their actions is certainly one of the reasons. A parent of a student at St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland, Ohio

I wish I could shout from the podium how critical this testing is, how life-saving it can be. I want to tell our story, about how we thought we were putting the fear of God in our son by having him tested and how shocked and saddened we were with the news that we were recipients of positive results. Our family has changed as a result of this test, and in many ways those changes are for the better. I want to tell other parents that they probably have no clue about what their child's social life is really like and all the negative influences their kids have probably been exposed to. A parent of a student at St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland, Ohio

I was thrilled to find out that Trinity High School will be implementing a mandatory alcohol and drug testing initiative. The majority of teenagers using drugs and alcohol begin as a result of peer pressure. Many young people struggle with the fear of telling their peers no. A young man who has the ability to say, I cant. My school tests, has a simple and effective way out from this substantial pressure without the worry of ridicule or judgment from his peers. I am proud to be a Trinity alumnus that my alma mater is the first Louisville Catholic School to take this very profound step. Patrick Fogarty 96, Chief Program Officer, The Healing Place See other side

Trinity is taking the right approach by not immediately turning a student away. The right thing to do is to address the problem in an environment where the student and his parents feel comfortable and supported, but also in a setting where expectations are high and repeated mistakes bring more serious consequences. And that is what Trinity is doing with its policy. Todd Reynolds, MSSW, CADC, Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist

I strongly endorse this very prudent initiative that Trinity is making. The well-being of our students and the challenges young people face in these times are at the center of this decision. It will demonstrate Trinitys great support to our young men and their families. Rev, Steve Pohl 77, Pastor, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, member of the Trinity High School Board of Directors.

As a Catholic educator and attorney with decades of experience in Catholic education and the legal issues associated with it, I commend Trinity High School for again being in the forefront of proactive policies that will protect and guide students. Clearly within the mission of a Catholic school and its goal of educating the whole person, Trinitys mandatory random drug and alcohol testing policy is practical, enforceable and compassionate, yet firm. Our young people tell us they want boundaries to keep them safe. This policy enables students to say, No, I cant because our school tests, and have an out when faced with peer pressure to use alcohol and drugs. Sister M. Angela Shaughnessy, SCN, J.D., Ph.D., Attorney at Law, Professor and School Law Expert

I am proud to see Trinity move forward with a new policy of random drug testing. This will give students the ability to say no to participating in any type of drugs. As students have changed and the world has changed around them, we cannot expect the same scenarios that we encountered 50, 25 or even 10 years ago. There are too many negative alternatives for kids now and schools must update and change their offerings. This is the only way to change structure and make up for lost ground. We cannot keep facing the challenges of the future with the best ideas of the past. We must implement the new structure with everything we have. That is our hope. Proudly we say: We are Trinity. Dennis Lampley H92, Associate Athletic Director, Trinity High School

I am a proud Trinity alum. We live in an ever-changing society with one constant issue that many of our young people have always faced growing up: drug and alcohol use due to peer pressure and not being able to say No! I speak from the heart when I say how proud I am that the Trinity School Board has taken the lead by initiating the well-being/drug screening program at Trinity High School. This program will give our young men the ability to say, I cant. My school tests. I have all the confidence in the world that this initiative will help save lives in our ROCK community. F. Scott Scinta 77, Chair, Trinity Alumni Board of Directors

The drug testing policy at Trinity High School will aid in the process of educating the whole person in the Catholic tradition. It is fair, just and compassionate, seeking to provide all students with a positive and healthful environment in which to learn and grow as young Christian men of faith. Jeremy Jackson H14, Co-chair of the Counseling Department and Senior Class Moderator, Trinity High School

It is my great hope and prayer that this random drug testing brings about a safer environment for the young men of Trinity High School. Our young men must have more supports and protections in a world that grows ever more challenging. Please know of my prayers as Trinity High School takes this courageous step forward! Very Reverend J. Mark Spalding, JCL, Pastor, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, former member of the Trinity High School Board of Directors