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JICH - SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

  • Section J: Students

JICH - SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY  

RSU 21 recognizes that the use of illegal substances is a significant health problem for adolescents, often impacting negatively on behavior, educational opportunities, and developmental skills for the athletic fields/courts, activities, and in the classroom.  Please refer to policy JJIE for the substance abuse policy related to co-curricular participation.  

In order to promote the safety, health, and well-being of students, the School Board endorses a three-pronged approach to address the issue of drug and alcohol use: prevention/education; intervention; and discipline. The Superintendent is responsible for developing appropriate administrative procedures, curricula, and programs to implement this policy.  The Superintendent or designee will undertake a bi-annual review of this policy and its procedures and report the findings to the Board.

A. Prohibited Conduct
No student shall distribute, dispense, possess, use, or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, malt beverage, fortified wine, or other intoxicating liquor, nor shall a student manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, anabolic steroid, bath salts, any other controlled substance defined in federal and state laws/regulations, any look-alike substance, or any substance that is represented to be a controlled substance. These prohibitions apply to any student who is on school property, who is in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity, or whose conduct at any time or place directly interferes with the operations, discipline, or general welfare of the school. 

Regardless of the level of violation of our policy, parents will be notified at the earliest appropriate time.

B. Prevention/Education
RSU 21 will provide students with appropriate information and activities focused on educating students about drugs and alcohol and preventing their use. Programs shall teach students that the use of drugs and alcohol is illegal and harmful.  Programs will also address how to resist peer pressure and address the legal, social, and health consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. RSU 21 supports the education and professional development of administrators, teachers, coaches, advisors, students, and parents in the area of symptoms of adolescent chemical dependency, adolescent substance abuse, and their impacts on student participants.  In addition, RSU 21 recognizes that any policy related to the use of illegal substances needs to be incorporated into the context of a broader school and community effort to support prevention programs. 

Teachers and administrators are to review the policy each year for the purpose of insuring that students are cognizant of the ramifications if a poor choice is made.

C. Intervention
RSU 21 will establish a team approach to intervene with students with drug/alcohol problems. Students will be assisted in addressing their drug/alcohol problems and in continuing their educational program. Students will be provided with information and referrals, if necessary, to aid them in obtaining assistance from appropriate sources. Student records concerning such interventions shall be kept confidential as required by state and federal laws. Administrators, staff, and coaches will follow appropriate protocol in reviewing reports of violations to the substance abuse policy and investigate fully any and all accounts of violations with respect to any form of referral.

Self -Referrals
In an effort to encourage a student who has a problem with illegal substance use, a voluntary referral by the student is recommended.  Students who self-refer must complete an awareness program which will consist of an assessment of his/her needs for dependency (which may be at the expense of the student/parent), counseling, educational programs, and a review.  Parents will be requested to participate in a portion of this effort. A social worker will assess and recommend appropriate intervention. Permission must be granted to allow the substance abuse counselor permission to discuss his/her case with a designated administrator or counselor.  Students must agree to follow the program recommended from the abuse counselor. The self-referral will be completely confidential and acknowledged only by a limited group of support staff designated specifically to support the student. 

If the student is involved in school activities and/or athletics, the Athletics and Activities Substance Abuse Policy (JJIE) will take precedence over this general policy.

Self-Report
In an effort to encourage a student to seek assistance if the substance abuse policy has been violated, a person who self-reports a violation will be evaluated by a certified substance counselor (at the expense of the student/parent) and will complete a 10 hour drug education course provided by the high school counselor or school prevention specialist.  Permission must be granted to allow the substance abuse counselor permission to discuss his/her case with a designated administrator or counselor.  Students must agree to follow the program recommended from the abuse counselor. The self-reporting will be completely confidential and acknowledged only by a limited group of support staff designated specifically to support the student.

If the student is involved in school activities and/or athletics, the Athletics and Activities Substance Abuse Policy (JJIE) will take precedence over this general policy.

D. Disciplinary Action for Non-Voluntary Referrals

Use of/possession of an illegal substance 
A student found using or in possession of an illegal substance will be suspended from school for a minimum of 5 days and may face other discipline, up to and including expulsion, at the appropriate discretion of the administration and the Board, and in accordance with sanctions detailed in school unit regulations.  

In addition, a student who violates the terms of this policy shall be given the opportunity to receive intervention services as described above (Self-reporting).  Failure to cooperate shall result in full imposition of additional disciplinary sanctions. In the case of suspension or expulsion, a report on the status of the student after assessment will be prepared by the substance abuse counselor for review by the principal, chief guidance counselor, and parents prior to returning to school.   

Selling/transporting/furnishing of an illegal substance
A student found selling, transporting, or furnishing an illegal substance will be suspended from school for 10 days and may face other discipline, up to and including expulsion.  In addition, the student will be required to participate in intervention services as described above (self-reporting).  Failure to cooperate shall result in full imposition of additional disciplinary sanctions.  A report on the status of the student after assessment will be prepared by the substance abuse counselor for review by the principal, chief guidance counselor, and parents prior to returning to school.  

Policy Communication
RSU 21 shall distribute this policy and appropriate related information to staff, students, parents, and the community on an annual basis through handbooks and/or other means selected by the Superintendent and building administrators.  School staff shall maintain close cooperation with public medical, legal, law enforcement agencies, and parents in the prevention and rehabilitation of drug and alcohol abuse and tobacco addiction.  

This policy does not exclude the involvement of, or cooperation with, the local law enforcement in any matters regarding illegal substances.  

 

Legal Reference:     21 USC § 812 (Controlled Substances Act) 21 CFR Part 1300.11-15

Pub.L.No. 101-226 (Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989)
17-A MRSA § 1101
42 USC § 290dd-2
42 CFR § 2.1 et seq.
20-A MRSA §§ 1001(9); 4008

 

 

Cross Reference:    GBEC – Drug-Free Workplace
JICIA – Weapons, Violence and School Safety
JKD – Suspension of Students
JKE – Expulsion of Students
JLCD – Administering Medication to Students
JRA – Student Records
JLDC – Medical Marijuana in Schools

 

Adopted: 11/25/1996
Note: Replaces Policy Adopted 1/14/91
Amended: 12/22/97
Amended: 10/23/00
Amended: 03/28/05
Revised: 03/30/09
Amended: 09/21/09
Amended: 07/19/10
Amended: 12/05/11
Amended: 04/11/16

  • Section J