By Naomi Tsuang
Online News Editor
A new drug and alcohol pledge may soon go into effect for all Mira Costa students on both sports teams and in any extracurriculars after approval from Team Costa, a committee composed of students representing Costa’s sports and extracurriculars.
Costa Vice Principal Jon Shaw and Athletics Director Glenn Marx created the pledge this year. By signing it, students agree to refrain from possessing, using or distributing tobacco, drugs, alcohol or other controlled substances on and off school grounds. Administration will question students if they are suspected of breaking the pledge and will also use any photographic or video evidence received from social media.
“I think there are consequences for drinking and using drugs no matter what, even outside of this policy,” Shaw said. “Those who are on teams related to Costa or extracurriculars are held to higher standards [because] they are representing our school.”
All students must sign the pledge and return it to their coaches or advisers. If students do not sign the pledge, they will not be able to participate in their activities.
“I think it will be beneficial,” Team Costa senior Emma Nerad said. “It will bring about positive change, [and] it will maintain our positive image.”
After the first offense, an administrator, parent and student conference will also take place. The student will be suspended from participating in his or her next game, performance or extracurricular activity.
Link: Learn about the district’s voluntary drug testing program
In addition, he or she will enroll in an eight-week IMPACT program, a student group that meets on campus once a week to discuss substance prevention.
“Part of this policy is to be a deterrent,” Shaw said. “It is preventive in nature, so kids think twice about doing [drugs or alcohol]. If it makes one student think twice about drugs or alcohol, I think it’s worth it.”
After the second offense, there will be a second conference, the student will be suspended from his or her team or extracurricular for the rest of the school year, and administration will recommend that the student enrolls in the First Step Program at the Thelma McMillen Center, which meets once a week for a month to learn to identify and prevent problems related to drug and alcohol abuse.
Link: Learn about Mira Costa’s ethics policy
Students who violate the policy will not have offenses placed on their permanent records, and, therefore, colleges will not see the offenses, Shaw said.
MBUSD attorneys are reviewing the pledge. If approved, it will go into effect immediately and will be retroactive when enacted.
“Unfortunately, I think too many students are impacted by drugs, and hopefully this will be motivation for them to make good choices,” Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale said.
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