[Clem1640]

Good subject.

We of course have a strict policy prohibiting participation in team activities by anyone intoxicated (whether via alcohol or drugs, student or mentor is not specified) and this is grounds for dismissal.

Of course, having this policy means that any drug or alcohol use is not discussed (and certainly not with me). In practice no-one has ever been dismissed from the team for this reason. This is not to say that there is and has never been any drug or alcohol use on the team, but it discourages obvious intoxication.

The rule exists primarily for safety reasons. My greatest nightmare as an FRC Head Mentor is to have someone injured in the course of team activities. Intoxication clearly increases risk of injury.

We do have students and mentors using prescription drugs. Sometimes I know about these; sometimes I do not. We have no team policies relating to the appropriate use of prescription drugs, although some have psychoactive effects. With students (and parents) open about their prescriptions and effects, we have worked to either schedule dosages or schedule work to minimize the impact.