Procedure: 2167P

Section: 2000 - Instruction

Title: Substance Abuse Program

Status: Active

Adopted: December 15, 1995

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Procedure - Substance Abuse Program

The role of the substance abuse program is to provide a safe, healthy, and drug free learning environment for all students. To that end, the program is comprised of four components: prevention, intervention, referral and continuing care/support.

Although a helping relationship, rather than an investigative and punitive approach will be emphasized, necessary and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken when laws or school regulations are violated. Law enforcement agencies will be called upon for investigative and consultative assistance when illegal drug or alcohol activity has occurred or is expected to have occurred.

I. Prevention

The primary emphasis of the substance abuse program will be on prevention. A combination of classroom instruction, support groups for parents and students, and counseling services will be used to provide students with knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will help them prevent substance abuse behaviors. The dimensions of the prevention program are:

A. Grade level appropriate curriculum (i.e., Here's Looking At You, 2000, D.A.R.E., Skills for Adolescence) focused on:

1. the effects of addictive substances such as alcohol, drugs, and nicotine on the body, and
2. skill development related to goal-setting, conflict management, problem-solving, refusal, and decision-making.

B. Alcohol and other drug counseling/referral for "at risk" youth and families.

C. Student and parent support groups to maximize the prevention efforts of the school.

D. Staff in-service on aspects of addictions, enabling behaviors, and prevention issues and strategies.

II. Intervention and Referral

The goal of the intervention program shall be to eliminate use of alcohol and substance abuse by students for the purpose of enabling them to be productive and successful learners. Staff roles for the intervention and referral program are as follows:

A. Administrators, counselors, and staff shall identify any student(s) who may be in need of assistance. Steps will be taken to involve parents in determining the appropriate action to be taken.

B At the secondary level, suspected student(s) may be referred to the Care Team, consisting of staff members who have exhibited a strong interest in attending to the needs of such students and who have received specialized training in substance abuse dependency.

C. The Care Team will meet regularly to review referrals; confer with students and, if warranted, counselors, administrators and/or parents; collect data; make recommendations for services; and maintain a confidential system of recordkeeping.

D. Referral resources shall be made available to students and families for assessment and treatment.

III. Continuing Care and Support 

Primary aftercare responsibility for students returning from a community treatment program rests with the student, parent and community treatment program personnel. School staff, the student, parent(s) and community treatment personnel will work cooperatively to facilitate the aftercare plan. At the middle and high school level, aftercare support may be provided by the Care Team and other support programs under the direction of the school counselor.

IV. Corrective Action

If a student appears at school or at a school-sponsored function demonstrating behavior which indicates that he/she may be under the influence of an addictive substances and/or admits that he/she is under the influence of an addictive substance, the school will take the following action:

A. The parents will be notified of the situation and encouraged to arrange for appropriate treatment.

B. If the student's illegal use of addictive substances is confirmed, the school administration may request the assistance of a law enforcement official in investigating the source of the addictive substance.

C. Appropriate school disciplinary action will be taken.

1. If school authorities find a student in possession of addictive substances at school, the addictive substance will be confiscated and turned over to law enforcement officials for investigation and disposal.
2. Appropriate school disciplinary action, as outlined in Board Policy No. 3200 and Administrative Procedures No. 3200 P-1, Student Rights and Responsibilities, will be taken regardless of law enforcement action.
3. If a school administrator receives information concerning sales and use of addictive substances outside of school, the information will be reported to law enforcement officials for their investigation.

Adopted: December 15, 1995