2167 - Drug and Alcohol Use/Abuse Programs

The Board recognizes that the use/abuse of alcohol, controlled substances or dangerous drugs and any other chemical substances is a societal problem and may represent an impairment to the normal development, well-being and academic performance of students. To ensure the safety, health and well-being of all students, the Board is committed to the development of a program which emphasizes prevention, intervention, aftercare support and necessary corrective actions. 

The Board recognizes the effects to the school, home and community resulting from drug and alcohol use/abuse. While the primary obligation to seek assistance rests with the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s), school staff shall work the home and community to develop and implement a comprehensive prevention and intervention program. The Board of Directors shall seek the support, cooperation and coordination of public and private agencies through formation of an advisory committee, including representatives from the instructional staff, students, parents, state and local law enforcement staff and the county coordinator of alcohol and drug treatment or a representative of a treatment provider. 

The superintendent is directed to develop and implement procedures to assess the scope of the problem of drug and alcohol abuse, and to work toward reducing and/or eliminating the problems associated with drug and alcohol abuse. 

The district will evaluate the effectiveness of the program yearly. 

Actions taken by staff in dealing with student use of alcohol and the use and abuse of controlled illegal, addictive or harmful substances including anabolic steroids will have as their first concern the welfare of the student involved and the other students in the school. 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 where illegal drug or alcohol activity has occurred. 

Prevention 

The prevention program shall focus on classroom instruction, guidance services and the school climate. 

Instruction 

This dimension of the prevention program shall focus on: 

1. The effects of addictive substances such as alcohol, drugs and nicotine upon the body. 
2. Skill development related to self-esteem, goal-setting, decision-making, conflict management, problem-solving, refusal and communication. 

Guidance Services 

Staff shall meet with students, individually and in small groups, to supplement addictive substance prevention, instruction and skill development. Staff will also assist parents to maximize the prevention efforts of the school. 

School Climate 

A facilitative school environment can help students to achieve in a productive manner (academically, socially and emotionally). The school shall strive to be a place where: 

1. Students, staff, and parents respect themselves and others. 
2. Individuals can be trusted to do what they say they will do. 
3. High morale is evident. 
4. Each person feels that he/she has a voice in the decisions that affect him/her. 
5. All feel that they are continuing to learn and grow. 
6. All value diversity and accept it as an opportunity for growth and development. 
7. All possess a "sense of belonging". 
8. All feel that they can make a difference to someone else. 

To this end, the school will encourage the formation of "Natural Helpers", Core Team and selected education and/or prevention promotions that increase the awareness of the effects of substance abuse. Student support groups shall assist students concerned about their own substance abuse, and students living in families suffering from substance abuse, and students concerned about the substance abuse of someone else. 

Intervention 

The goal of the intervention program shall be to eliminate use of alcohol and the use and abuse of controlled, illegal, addictive or harmful substances including anabolic steroids abuse by students. Ongoing inservice will be provided for faculty and staff. Important aspects of inservice will include: dimensions of the family illness and dynamics of the addiction process, enabling behaviors, intervention techniques, children in chemically dependent families, student experimentation, abuse and dependency, parental involvement and community resources, prevention issues and strategies, treatment and aftercare support, and implementation of the program into the classroom/building. 

Staff roles for the intervention program are as follows: 

1. Administrators, counselors, selected staff and nurse meet weekly for the purpose of identifying any student(s) who may be in need of assistance. Such staff shall be sensitive to identifying symptoms of substance abuse. Students(s) suspected of substance abuse shall be referred to the Core Team. This team will consist 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. 
2. The Core Team will meet regularly to review referrals; confer with students and, if wanted, counselor, administrator and/or parents, collect data, make recommendations for services, and maintain a confidential system of recordkeeping. Parents will be involved before any action is taken. 
3. Students returning to school from a community inpatient or outpatient treatment program will be given aftercare support by the Core Team. Such students will receive support from "Natural Helpers'' so that they may develop a strong sense of bond with other students and the school. 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. 

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 addictive substances and/or admits to an administrator that he/she is under the influence of addictive substances, the school will take the following action: 

1. The parents will be notified to arrange for appropriate treatment. 
2. If the student's illegal use of addictive substances is confirmed, the school administration may request the assistance of an enforcement official in investigating the source of the addictive substance. 
3. Appropriate school disciplinary action will be taken. 

If school authorities find a student in possession of addictive substances at school, the addictive substances will be confiscated and turned over to law enforcement officials for investigation and disposal. Appropriate school disciplinary action will be taken by a school administration regardless of law enforcement action. 

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.