2121P: Substance Abuse Program

Actions taken by staff in dealing with student use and abuse of alcohol and 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 will focus on classroom instruction, guidance services, and the creation of a positive school climate.

A. Instruction

This dimension of the prevention program will focus on: 1. The effects of addictive substances such as alcohol, drugs and nicotine upon the body; and 2. Skill development related to self-esteem, goal-setting, decision-making, conflict management, problem-solving, refusal and communication.

B. Guidance Services

Staff and/or appropriate community partners, will 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.

C. School Climate

A facilitative school environment can help students to achieve academically, socially and emotionally. The school will 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;” and

8. All feel that they can make a difference to someone else.

Intervention

The goal of the intervention program will be to eliminate use of alcohol and the use and abuse of controlled, illegal, addictive or harmful substances, including anabolic steroids abuse, by students.

In-service will be provided for faculty and staff. Important aspects of in-service training 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:

A. Administrators, counselors, and selected staff will meet regularly for the purpose of identifying any student(s) who may be in need of assistance. Such staff will be sensitive to identifying symptoms of substance abuse. Suspected student(s) will be referred to a prevention and intervention 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.

B. The 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 record keeping. Parents will be involved before any action is taken.

C. Students returning to school from a community inpatient or outpatient treatment program will be given aftercare support by the team. 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 Actions and/or Interventions

If a student appears at school or at a school-sponsored function demonstrating behavior that indicates that he/she may be under the influence of an addictive substance and/or admits to an administrator that he/she is under the influence of an addictive substance, the school will take corrective action consistent with Policy and Procedure 3241 (Classroom Management, Corrective Actions, and/or Interventions) including the following:

A. The parents will be notified

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 corrective action will be taken in accordance with Procedure 3241P.

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 disposal. Appropriate school disciplinary action will be taken by a school administrator regardless of any law enforcement action.