Choice Pass Random Drug Testing Protocol 2026-2027

Choice Pass is constantly growing and changing as a program. We occasionally modify how we drug test students 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.

  • Students should not eat, drink, or chew gum within 10 minutes of their test.

  • 6th and 7th Grade Students- Students take a saliva nicotine/marijuana test administered by GCSAPP at lunch during school.

- Testing takes 5-10 minutes.

- 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/marijuana, and the other is a 6-panel test (Methamphetamines/ Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Cannabinoids, Ethanol).

  • Testing takes 15-20 minutes.

 Notification of Selection

Choice Pass contacts parents (and opted-in 8th-12th graders) 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 for 8th-12th graders.

 Location

Drug testing may only take place at our designated testing sites (CBCS, GMS, LCCS, and Drug Test West).

    6th and 7th Graders- younger students are 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 202 E Georgia Ave, Gunnison. Contact us by phone at 970-641-7612 or email choicepass@gunnisoncounty.org.

  8th-12th Graders

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

 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, contact Choice Pass at 970-641-7612 or choicepass@gunnisoncounty.org

 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.

  • 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 within 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 must communicate with employers and/or coaches about 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.

For a second excused absence, the teen must go to Drug Test West in Gunnison 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 about substances.

  • Youth: do not consume water, food, 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 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.

  • For GWSD families, the principal of the youth’s school will be notified. If the youth has signed a school contract, such as an athletic or activity code of conduct, GWSD will support the youth through their process.

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 drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or other substances.

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 drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or other substances; 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.

    o If the youth/family chooses not to participate in or complete the restorative process, the youth will not be eligible for Choice Pass the remainder of the year and the next school year.

  • Families renew Choice Pass Commitment.

  • 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.

    • Families must pay Drug Test West directly for this second test (roughly $25).

Second Broken Commitment

If a youth tests positive for drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or other substances; is suspended from school; has an infraction with law enforcement; or self-reports for the second time we utilize any or all of the below process:  

  • Consequence dependent—especially when youth does not have ski pass.

  • Ski pass and Choice Pass ID card suspended for a minimum of 2 weeks.

    • Hand in CP ID to GCSAPP staff

  • Attend required meetings with GCSAPP staff.

    • If the youth/family chooses not to participate in or complete the restorative process, the youth will not be eligible for Choice Pass the remainder of the year and the next school year.

  • Families renew Choice Pass Commitment to stay drug, nicotine, and alcohol free and use community supports to do so.

  • Youth must pass a follow-up drug test in 2 weeks and will be randomly added to two additional drug testing dates throughout the year.

    • Second test will be a urine test.

    • 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.