Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Policy

Dartmouth District Minor Baseball Association
Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Policy
2016 Season
Policy:
The Dartmouth District Minor Baseball Association [DDMBA] promotes a healthy lifestyle for its Members and is mindful of health-based research that has been conducted with respect to the use of tobacco, alcohol and drug use. DDMBA recognizes that Association Members are also subject to the laws of Canada and Nova Scotia as well as the bylaws of the Halifax Regional Municipality and all Members are to govern themselves in accordance with the law. As such, the use of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs on, at or near the field of play is strictly prohibited with penalty for non-compliance to be levied after a hearing is convened and carried out as per DDMBA policy.
Procedure:
1.       Coaches and managers will be informed of DDMBA policy regarding the use of tobacco products, alcohol and drugs prior to each season.  It will be the responsibility of coaches and managers to inform players and parents of these policies.
2.       Players and coaches in uniform must refrain from using tobacco products at all times.
3.       Smoking or using chewing tobacco/tobacco products such as dip, plugs, etc by any team member or personnel while in uniform is prohibited.
4.       Uniform jersey and cap must be removed prior to smoking. 
5.       Smoking is not permitted by any Association Member at publicly-owned outdoor sporting or spectator areas within 20 metres (65.6 Feet) of any point of the edge of the sporting or spectator area. 
6.       Players of any age must never be under the influence of alcohol at any time at any team function whether on-field or off-field. 
7.       Coaches in uniform must refrain from using alcohol at all times. 
8.       Coaches in a public place (ie restaurants, bar, hotel lobby, etc) shall remove uniform jersey before having a drink containing alcohol. Ball caps may be worn with discretion.
9.       Coaches, managers and players of legal age must refrain from the use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs prior to a practice or game with their respective team.
10.   Use of any illegal drug as defined by the Criminal Code by any team personnel [coach, player, manager, etc] on, at or near the field of play will result in that individual being immediately suspended until DDMBA convenes a hearing to determine an appropriate penalty.
11.   If it is determined that any coach or player takes part in on-field or off-field team functions while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs it will result in that individual being initially and immediately suspended until DDMBA convenes a hearing to determine an appropriate penalty.
12.   NOTE: Notice of initial and immediate penalty will be conveyed by Executive Member or Coach to Player if a player violates the policy and by Executive Member to Coach if a Coach/Team Personnel violates the policy so long as the Notice is issued in good faith based on evidence to be documented and passed along to DDMBA discipline panel as soon as possible.
13.   NOTE:  Anticipate being suspended for the remainder of the season for a violation of Item 10 or 11 if you are a player and being dismissed from DDMBA if you are a coach/team personnel.