Choice Pass Random Drug Testing Protocol for 2025-2026
Choice Pass is constantly growing and changing as a program. We occasionally modify 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
Each month during the school year students are randomly selected to complete drug testing.
6th and 7th Grade Students- Students take saliva nicotine test administered by GCSAPP at lunch during school.
o Testing takes 5-10 minutes.
o If participating in online school or homeschool, families need to 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- Students take two oral tests. One test is for nicotine and the other is a 6 panel test (Methamphetamines/ Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Cannabinoids, Ethanol).
o Students should not eat, drink, or chew gum within 5 minutes of their test.
o Testing takes 15-20 minutes
Notification of Selection
Choice Pass contacts parents the night before drug testing around 5pm. Parents of 6th and 7th graders are notified via text and email. Parents of 8th-12th are notified via call, text, and email.
Teens may also receive a text message the night before around 5pm, if parents opted to share their number in the sign-up form. Including a teen’s phone number is optional and not required.
Location
Drug testing may only take place at our designated testing sites (CBCS, GMS, LCCS, Drug Test West).
6th and 7th Graders- younger students will be tested at school during lunch.
*If students are homeschooled, parents need to contact Choice Pass to set up a time to come to our office for the date identified in the initial contact. Choice Pass is located at located at 202 E Georgia Ave. Contact us by phone at 970-641-7612 or email choicepass@gunnisoncounty.org.
8th-12th Graders
Students do not have to test in the town that they attend school. For example, if a CBHS student has hockey practice in Gunnison, they may test at the Gunnison location. If your student needs to be tested at a different site, please contact Choice Pass at 970-641-7612 or choicepass@gunnisoncounty.org
1) Crested Butte- Crested Butte Community School
2) Gunnison- Drug Test West 725 S. 10th St. Suite A
3) Lake City- at Lake City Community School
Attendance
For 8th-12th grade students: If families/teens would like to go to the alternate testing location (i.e. for sports practice) contact choicepass@gunnisoncounty.org or 970-641-7612 when notified.
o Choice Pass does NOT allow alternative testing outside Gunnison County or at different locations than mentioned above.
Students must be able to attend drug testing at a designated Gunnison County location with the 24 hour notice to be eligible for the program (or Lake City, when testing is conducted there).
Work and/or sports practices are NOT excusable reasons to miss drug testing. Families need to communicate with employers and/or coaches of necessary accommodations for drug testing.
If a student chooses not to test on their randomly selected day, their Choice Pass will be suspended until the next round of drug testing.
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.
o For a second excused absence the teen must go to Drug Test west to complete the oral tests the following day; failure to do so will result in a suspended pass.
Testing “Good to Knows”
When a family receives notification for drug testing, it is an opportunity to talk to the youth.
Youth: do not consume water, food or candy, or chew gum 5 minutes before the test.
Choice Pass values honesty and integrity. If a teen has broken the commitment, we encourage them to share that information with their parents and the staff administering the test.
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:
Oral tests are viewed as less intrusive for many teens (compared to the urine sample in previous years).
Eliminates false positives (which has been stressful for youth in the past).
Eliminates dilutes (watered down urine samples that cannot be read).
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 administer drug tests by Drug Test West.
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 has 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 are suspended for a minimum of 2 weeks- hand in Choice Pass ID at initial meeting.
Youth and parents participate in a multiple meeting restorative process, which may include individual or group meetings dependent on the violation. For details on the group restorative process, see the image below.
o For details on Choice Pass’ group restorative process, see page 3.
Families renew Choice Pass Commitment to stay drug and alcohol free and to use community supports to do so.
Youth must pass a follow up drug test in roughly 2 weeks and will be randomly added to one additional drug testing date in the year.
New for 2025-26: Families must pay Drug Test West directly for this test (roughly $25).
Youth participate in counseling (optional).
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 youth does not have ski pass.
Consequences for non-substance vs. substance— ski pass is suspended with substance use; 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)
Youth will have follow-up work identified in the meetings.
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.
New for 2025-26: Families must pay Drug Test West directly for this test (roughly $25).
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.
