Drug Impairment Training for Education Professionals
DITEP is derived from the National Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program, a successful law enforcement procedure used to detect drug and alcohol impaired drivers. This two-day training will enable school nurses and educators to determine whether a student is impaired; if there is impairment, whether that impairment is due to a medical condition or is drug related; and, if the impairment is drug related, what category or categories of drugs are likely causing the observed impairment.
DITEP will assist schools in employing an evaluation and early detection program to identify students who may be suffering academically, socially, and emotionally from drug abuse. DITEP can also be inserted into already established protocols or procedures. Identifying drug dependent students will assist schools in getting these students the help they need, as well as limiting the disruption caused by them in the academic environment. Additionally, these students are more than likely driving to and from school under the influence of drugs. Early detection and intervention will make our communities and schools a safer place for all.
This training is designed primarily for administrators, educators, school resource officers, counselors, nurses, and education trainers in the academic setting. The participant who completes the full 16 hours of training should be able to administer and interpret various impairment tests. The participant should be fully conversant with the procedural mechanics of the tests and with the interpretation of clues for assessing impairment.
The participant who successfully completes the training will be able to identify:
• The term drug in the context of this course.
• The concept of drugs that impair in the academic environment.
• The drugs of choice within a community setting.
• The role of simple divided attention tests in accessing impairment.
• The observable effects of each of the major drug categories.
• The effects likely to result from various drug combinations.
• The importance of policies and procedures for dealing with cases involving drug-impaired individuals in the academic setting.
• The major drug categories used in assessing impairment.
• Medical conditions and other situations that can produce similar signs of impairment.
• Appropriate procedures for dealing with drug-impaired or medically impaired individuals in the academic environment.
The principal content topics include the following:
• Concept of drugs in the education environment. Basically, as far as the professional educator is concerned, a drug is a substance that impairs an individual’s ability to function appropriately in an academic environment.
• Magnitude and scope of drug use and abuse in our education system, and the involvement of drugs in impaired incidents.
• Role of eye examinations in disclosing the possibility of drug impairment, and in suggesting the possible category or categories of drugs, or medical conditions causing an individual’s impairment.
• Observable effects of each of the major drug categories.
• Effects likely to result from various drug combinations.
• Individual jurisdiction’s procedures for dealing with cases involving individuals suspected of drug influence or medical conditions.
The training is designed to be divided into two eight-hour blocks of instruction. The first eight hours are focused on classroom training. The second eight hours are focused on developing practical skills.
Day 1 of the training relies primarily on instructor-led presentations. This is in keeping with its focus on information development, rather than skill development.
Day 2 of the training, if utilized, relies on instructor/participant interaction to develop the skills needed to complete this training.
For more information on the DITEP Program or to schedule a training please contact Leo Hegarty at [email protected].
