Procedure 3418 - Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use/Abuse

I. Alcohol and Drugs 

STUDENTS IN POSSESSION, SALE/BARTER, TRANSFER, POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA, AND/OR EXHIBITING THE EFFECTS (BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE) OF ALCOHOL, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, INHALANTS, ANABOLIC STEROIDS, OR IMITATION DRUGS ON CAMPUS, AT ANY SCHOOL-SPONSORED ACTIVITY OR EVENT, OR WHILE ATTENDING A SCHOOL ACTIVITY OR EVENT OFF SCHOOL GROUNDS, OR IN A DISTRICT VEHICLE ARE IN VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY. SCHOOL EVENTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, ATHLETIC EVENTS AND ATHLETIC TEAM CAMPS, CO-CURRICULAR EVENTS AND CO-CURRICULAR CAMPS, RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS STOPS, AND INCIDENTS THAT OCCUR WITHIN THE PROXIMITY OF THE CAMPUS OR HAS A NEXUS TO SCHOOL. ACTS THAT OCCUR OFF CAMPUS AND/OR AFTER SCHOOL HOURS WILL BE JUDGED BY ITS EFFECT UPON THE MORALE AND OPERATION OF THE SCHOOL AND WHETHER IT, IN FACT, IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE GOOD ORDER AND TO THE WELFARE OF THE PUPILS. 

Any student who displays indicators of consumption of alcohol, intoxicants, drugs (illegal or illegally used drugs), and/or any other controlled substances is subject to discipline prescribed in this policy. Any student who possesses drug paraphernalia is subject to the same consequences as drug possession or usage. 

A. First Offense 

1. Possession, Being under the Influence*, Transfer, or Possession of Paraphernalia 

a. Long-term suspension of twenty (20) days. A copy of the letter of suspension shall be permanently placed in the student's cumulative file. 
b. The Possession, Being under the Influence, Transfer or Possession of Paraphernalia will be reported to appropriate law enforcement and appropriate law enforcement will be encouraged to prosecute to the maximum extent provided by law. 
c. Suspension may be modified if a student participates in an assessment by a certified drug/alcohol agency. The district requires written confirmation of this assessment. 

* A building administrator and a minimum of one (1) additional adult supervisor will determine if reasonable suspicion exists. 

2. Sale/Barter 

This violation is considered to be inherently harmful and students who engage in this activity are deemed to be a danger not only to themselves but also to all other students and staff in the Richland Schools. 

a. The sale will be reported to appropriate law enforcement and appropriate law enforcement will be encouraged to prosecute to the maximum extent provided by law. 
b. Following an investigation by the principal, if it is determined that there has been a violation of the sale section of this policy, the student will be suspended for a minimum of forty (40) days. 
c. Discipline may be modified if a student participates in an assessment by a certified drug/alcohol agency. The district may require release of the assessment information and that the student follows the assessment recommendation(s). These will be at parents’ expense. If the student does not complete the recommendations of the assessment, the remainder of the discipline may go into effect. 
Readmission requirements will include: 
  • Recommendation of an assessment by a qualified substance abuse counselor. 
  • Improved student behavior since the removal from school. 
  • Willingness of the student and parent to agree, as appropriate, to a reasonable behavioral agreement. 

B. Second Offense 

1. Possession, Being under the Influence, Transfer, or Possession of Paraphernalia 

a. Long-term suspension of forty (40) days. A copy of the letter of suspension shall be permanently placed in the student's cumulative file. 
b. The Possession, Being under the Influence, Transfer, or Possession of Paraphernalia will be reported to appropriate law enforcement and appropriate law enforcement will be encouraged to prosecute to the maximum extent provided by law. 
c. An alcohol and other drug assessment by a qualified substance abuse counselor is recommended. 
 

2. Sale/Barter 

a. Recommendation of expulsion. 
b. The delivery will be reported to appropriate law enforcement and appropriate law enforcement will be encouraged to prosecute to the maximum extent provided by law. 
 

C. Third Offense 

1. Possession, Being under the Influence, Transfer, or Possession of Paraphernalia 

a. Recommendation of expulsion. 
b. The Possession, Being under the Influence, Transfer, or Possession of Paraphernalia will be reported to appropriate law enforcement and appropriate law enforcement will be encouraged to prosecute to the maximum extent provided by law. 
 

No record of a student's participating in professional treatment services will become a part of the permanent record or transcript. Any and all related information will be treated as health related only and kept in confidentially maintained health files. 

II. Tobacco 

STUDENTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM BEING IN POSSESSION OF, AND/OR USING OR DELIVERYING TOBACCO ON CAMPUS, AT ANY SCHOOL-SPONSORED ACTIVITY OR EVENT, OR WHILE ATTENDING A SCHOOL ACTIVITY OR EVENT OFF SCHOOL GROUNDS OR IN A DISTRICT VEHICLE ARE IN VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY. SCHOOL EVENTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, ATHLETIC EVENTS AND ATHLETIC TEAM CAMPS, CO-CURRICULAR EVENTS AND CO-CURRICULAR CAMPS, RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS STOPS, AND INCIDENTS THAT OCCUR WITHIN THE PROXIMITY OF THE CAMPUS OR HAS A NEXUS TO SCHOOL. ACTS THAT OCCUR OFF CAMPUS AND/OR AFTER SCHOOL HOURS WILL BE JUDGED BY ITS EFFECT UPON THE MORALE AND OPERATION OF THE SCHOOL AND WHETHER IT, IN FACT, IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE GOOD ORDER AND TO THE WELFARE OF THE PUPILS. 

Recognizing the serious physical effects of all tobacco products and the fact that it is illegal to have tobacco on school district property, the District maintains the following procedures for students possessing, consuming, or delivering tobacco in any form. 

A. First Offense 

  1. One (1) day in-school suspension. 
  2. Student may be required to speak to District staff about the health risk of tobacco use. 
  3. A copy of the letter of violation shall be permanently placed in the student's cumulative file. 

B. Second Offense 

  1. Five (5) day out of school suspension. 
  2. A copy of the letter of suspension shall be permanently placed in the student's cumulative file. 

C. Third Offense 

  1. Ten (10) day out of school suspension. 
  2. A copy of the letter of suspension shall be permanently placed in the student's cumulative file. 

D. Fourth Offense 

  1. Long term suspension. 
  2. A copy of the letter of suspension shall be permanently placed in the student's cumulative file.