Choice Pass Random Drug Testing Protocol for 2024-2025
Choice Pass Random Drug Testing Protocol for 2024-2025
Choice Pass is constantly growing and changing as a program. We are modifying how we drug test 8th-12th graders to ensure not only the integrity of the program, but also the emotional well-being of the youth. We outsource some drug testing to Drug Test West for the best opportunity to gather accurate results.
Drug Tests
· 6th and 7th Grade Students- Students will take saliva nicotine test administered by GCSAPP at lunch during school. If participating in online school or homeschool please contact our office to make an appointment for the same date as notified. Contact: choicepass@gunnisoncounty.org or 970-641-7612.
· 8th-12th Grade Students- *New this year (2024-25)*: students will take two oral tests. One test is for nicotine and the other is a 6 panel test (Methamphetamines/ Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Cannabinoids, Ethanol).
Contact and Attendance
1) - Choice Pass contacts the randomly selected 6th and 7th grade parents the night before testing around 5pm via text and email.
a. 6th and 7th grade homeschooled students can come to our CB or Gunnison office to get tested on the required day. If your homeschooled/online schooled youth is selected, email choicepass@gunniosoncounty.org or call 970641-7612 to schedule a time.
- Choice Pass contacts the selected 8th-12th grade parents the Sunday night before testing around 5pm via text, phone, and email. Teens, who have cell phones, will be notified also around 5pm via text.
2) Crested Butte: 8th-12th grade students need to test on Monday from 3:45-7:45pm to the CB Juvenile Office at 115 Elk Ave, Suite H on the third floor. Sign up for a 20 minute time slot between 3:45-7:45.
3) Gunnison: 8th-12th grade students will need to test on Monday from 3:45-7:45pm to Drug Test West, 725 S. 10th St. Sign up for a 20 minute time slot between 3:45-7:45.
4) Lake City- Choice Pass notifies families via call, text, and email around 5pm the night before testing for middle and high school youth. Testing will take place at the school.
5) If families/teens would like to go to the alternate testing location (i.e. CB student in Gunnison for sports practice) contact choicepass@gunnisoncounty.org or 970-641-7612 when notified.
a. Choice Pass does NOT allow alternative testing outside of the Gunnison Valley or at different locations than mentioned above.
6) Students must be able to attend drug testing at either Gunnison Valley location with the 24 hour notice to be eligible for the program (or Lake City, when testing is conducted there).
7) If a student chooses to not to test on their randomly selected day, their Choice Pass will be suspended until the next round of drug testing.
8) For excusable absences that can be verified with the school, youth need to attend the next scheduled drug testing. Parents MUST communicate the verifiable absence prior to the testing time. For the next scheduled test, parents will be notified using the same protocols outlined above.
a. For a second excused absence the teen must go to Drug Test West or Juvenile Services to complete the oral tests the following day; failure to do so will result in a suspended pass.
Testing “Good to Knows”
1. When a family receives notification, it is an opportunity to talk to the youth.
2. Youth: do not consume water, food or candy, or chew gum 5 minutes before the test.
3. Choice Pass values honesty and integrity. If a teen has broken the commitment, we encourage them share that information with their parents and the staff administering the test.
4. Parents will be notified of a negative or positive result in roughly a week from the test date.
Some benefits of using Drug Test West and Oral Tests:
- Eliminates false positives (which has been stressful for youth in the past).
- Eliminates dilutes (watered down urine samples that cannot be read).
- Oral tests are viewed as less intrusive for many teens (compared to the urine sample in previous years).
- If a student tests positive for a substance, Drug Test West will be able to analyze how much is in their system, giving the family a better understanding of how frequently their child is using.
- All Choice Pass staff and committee members are trained to administered drug tests by Drug Test West staff.
Broken Commitment Process
There are 4 ways in which a Choice Pass Commitment can be broken:
1. If a youth tests positive for an illegal substance
2. If a youth is suspended from school
3. If a youth makes an infraction with law enforcement
4. If a youth or parent self-reports use
First Broken Commitment
If a youth tests positive for an illegal substance, is suspended from school, has an infraction with law enforcement, or self-reports we utilize the following process:
· Ski pass and Choice Pass ID card suspended for a minimum of 2 weeks
· Youth and parents/guardians attend two restorative meetings with GCSAPP staff
o Youth will have follow-up work identified in the meetings
o Youth will work to repair relationships with self, family, and community through a restorative process
· Families renew Choice Pass Commitment to stay drug and alcohol free and use community supports to do so
· Youth participate in counseling (optional)
· Youth must pass a follow up drug test in 2 weeks and will be randomly added to one additional drug testing date in the year
Second Broken Commitment
If a youth tests positive for an illegal substance, is suspended from school, has an infraction with law enforcement, or self-reports for the second time we utilize any or all the below process:
· Consequence dependent—especially when kid does not have ski pass
o consequences for non-substance vs. substance—CBMR wants ski pass suspended with drug testing; but things like aggression, vandalism, etc. may have different consequences
· Ski pass and Choice Pass ID card suspended for a minimum of 2 weeks
o Hand in CP ID to staff
· Attend a minimum of three meetings with GCSAPP staff, youth, and parent(s)/guardian(s)
o Youth will have follow-up work identified in the meetings
o Youth will work to repair relationships with self, family, and community through a restorative process
· Families renew Choice Pass Commitment to stay drug and alcohol free and use community supports to do so
· Youth participate in counseling (optional)
· Youth must pass a follow up drug testing in 2 weeks and will be randomly added to two additional drug testing date throughout the year
· Complete up to 10 hours of community service
Third Broken Commitment
Youth are no longer eligible for the program. Family will be referred to other supports. Ski pass and Choice Pass ID are suspended for the remainder of the year.
Crested Butte Location
Crested Butte Juvenile Services Office
115 Elk Ave, Suite H third floor
Gunnison Location
725 South 10th St. #A
Gunnison, CO 81230
