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The South Kingstown School Department recognizes alcohol or drug abuse as an illness requiring medical treatment. Employees are encouraged to seek the advice and help of his/her private physician, or any agency with special interest in this field. When help is sought on a voluntary basis, the case will be handled confidentially, as long as job performance is not affected; as in any other kind of illness.

Under the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989, the illegal use of drugs cannot, by law, be tolerated. The South Kingstown School Department reemphasizes its long_standing policy against the uses of alcohol or illegal drugs stating employees at any work site are absolutely prohibited from unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, or using alcohol or illegal drugs. "Work Site" means any office, building, or property (including parking lots) under the jurisdiction of the South Kingstown School Department or any other site at which an employee is to perform work for the South Kingstown School Department. "Possessing" means to have either in or on an employee's person, personal effects, motor vehicle, tools, and areas substantially entrusted to the control of the employee such as desks, files, and lockers.

Any employee violating the above policy is subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including termination, for the first offense. The South Kingstown School Department reserves the right to offer employees convicted of violating

a criminal drug statutes in this workplace participation in an approved rehabilitation or drug abuse assistance program as an alternative to discipline. If such a program is offered and accepted by the employee, then the employee must satisfactorily participate in the program as a condition of continued employment.

In addition, all employees are required to notify the Personnel Office, in writing, of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days after such a conviction. Any employee convicted of a drug offense for a violation which occurred in the workplace may be required to participate in a drug rehabilitation program or

Employees have the right to know the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, the South Kingstown School Department's policy about them, and what help is available to combat drug problems. The South Kingstown School Department will institute an education program for all employees on the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace.

As a condition of employment, they agree to abide by this policy in all respects. The above policy was negotiated and agreed to by NEASK Teachers' Association, South Kingstown Educational Support Personnel and Council 94 Local 3125 Maintenance/Custodian Union.