Teachers disciplined over substance abuse

Two Saskatchewan teachers have signed agreements with their licensing body, the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board, to deal with mental health and substance abuse problems.

Reid Lozinski won’t teach while he undergoes treatment for his mental health and addictions issues, according to a copy of his agreement released to the media.

His problems came to light after he started sending anonymous text messages to a female acquaintance in August 2016. The following month, they agreed to meet outside her home.

After the meeting, Lozinski returned to his home and within 45 minutes began texting the woman persistently. He went back to her home, but she wouldn’t let him in and he left. He later agreed to a peace bond.

Lozinski has had instances of mental health and addiction issues for several years, according to the document.

In 2015 and 2016, he experienced increased family pressures, workload and health challenges.

He started drinking again, in addition to taking medications prescribed by his doctor, “thus impairing his judgment,” the document states.

Lozinski has agreed not to apply for his registration to teach again until his care providers give written clearance for him to return to the classroom. He will be monitored while his treatment continues.

In the second case, Cherie Priel admitted to drinking while teaching. It went on for more than a year, starting in 2016. She also stored her alcohol unsecured in the classroom.

Priel admitted to having been dishonest during two successive investigations, although she ultimately confessed during the second one. She has been recovering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependency, her agreement notes.

After a three-day suspension, and while on medical leave, Priel went into intensive rehabilitation on her own initiative, the document also states. She also voluntarily enrolled in a random alcohol testing program.

She must now demonstrate for a two-year period that she is continuing her treatment. Random alcohol screening tests will also continue during that time.

The regulatory board has not identified the schools and communities where they teach.