Drugs, Alcohol, and Illegal Substance Abuse Policy
Philosophy:
UHC recognizes the hardship created by the misuse of drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and substances found in common household products at the individual and community levels. Our united goal is to provide a drug-free environment, safe for student growth and learning. As such we define abuse as any non-medical involvement (i.e. consumption, procurement, provision) with controlled substances, or material generally acknowledged as being harmful to an individual’s physical, spiritual, or psychological health. We further assert that it is inconsistent with the Christian lifestyle. As followers of Jesus, we believe that our bodies are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19-20) and should be kept morally pure and free from binding habits (1 Cor 6:12).
Policy:
As a matter of policy, UHC will use whatever means necessary (including the use of drug dogs) to investigate fully any incident suggesting drug involvement on the part of students, faculty and staff. Confirmation of drug abuse as defined above will be reported to the appropriate legal authorities and will subject the individual(s) involved to immediate disciplinary review by the UHC Administration team and UHC Board of Directors.
Specific (but not limited to) violations falling under Disciplinary Action:
Vaping of any kind is not permitted on the UHC campus as it is illegal for consumption for any person under the age of 18. Neither is being in possession of, under the influence of vape substances whether flavor, nicotine, or illegal substances, or paraphernalia on the way to school, from school or at school or before, during or after a school-sponsored event, and any of these offenses will result in the consequences contained in the section below titled, Disciplinary Action.
Smoking, snorting, swallowing, intravenous injection, or any other means of ingestion of a substance, whether legal or illegal, is not permitted on the UHC campus. Neither is in possession of, under the influence of, or use of any drugs including but not limited to alcohol, nicotine, prescription or illegal drugs, or related paraphernalia on the way to school, from school, at school, or before, during, or after a school-sponsored event, and any of these offenses will result in the consequences contained in the section below titled, Disciplinary Action.
Prescription drugs, which are not prescribed for the person in possession of them or the person taking them, are not permitted on the UHC campus. Neither is in possession of, under the influence of or using prescription drugs, or prescription drug paraphernalia on the way to school, from school or at school or before, during or after a school-sponsored event, and any of these offenses will result in the consequences contained in the section below titled, Disciplinary Action.
Common household products/chemicals known to be used for the purpose of altering a person’s mental state by use in a manner inconsistent with the product Directions for Use and Caution statements are not permitted on the UHC campus. Neither is in possession of, under the influence of or use of such chemicals, products, drugs, or related paraphernalia on the way to school, from school or at school or before, during or after a school-sponsored event , and any of these offenses will result in the consequences contained in the section below titled Disciplinary Action.
Disciplinary Action:
When a student is found for the first time, in possession of, under the influence of or using drugs, alcohol, nicotine, household products/chemicals, or paraphernalia on the way to school, from school or at school or before, during or after a school-sponsored event:
- The unauthorized substance or paraphernalia will be confiscated.
- The police will be contacted whenever any individual is found in possession of illegal substances or is in violation of the law and may use any means necessary to ensure the safety of our students.
- Parents will be contacted to take the student home.
- If emergency services are needed, the expense will be borne by the student and their family.
- The student will be automatically dismissed from UHC. Tuition or fees are non-refundable when a student is dismissed.
All discipline is at the discretion of the UHC Administration team and UHC Board of Directors. Student Membership renewal for the following year is at the discretion of the UHC Administration team and UHC Board of Directors.
Trafficking/Buying/Selling:
If a student is found to be trafficking-buying, giving away or offering to trade, sell or give away alcohol/drugs or anything passed off as drugs on the way to or from school, at school or before, during or after a school-sponsored event, the student will immediately be dismissed from UHC without the option of returning. The parents will be notified and the police will be contacted.
While we recognize the need for compassionate treatment of those addicted and seeking help, we also uphold the policy of not using drugs/alcohol anytime while on campus or at any off-campus UHC/Hurricanes event. In accordance with this, we will maintain a NO TOLERANCE policy toward drug and alcohol use. All discipline is at the discretion of the UHC Administration team and UHC Board of Directors.
Search of Personal Property:
Inspection of personal property including (but not limited to) clothing pockets, backpacks, and cars may be conducted by the UHC Executive Director or their designee for any reason, at any time, without notice and without student or parent consent. Your signature on the Parent Contract gives authority for said search if deemed necessary.