2168P - Substance Abuse Program Procedure

Procedure 2168P

INSTRUCTION 

Substance Abuse Program 

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 schools regulations are violated.  Law enforcement agencies will be called upon for investigative and consultative assistance where illegal drug or alcohol activity has occurred. 

The Pasco School District will participate in a local advisory committee in cooperation with the other local school districts for the purpose of planning, implementing and evaluating federal and state grants which provide funds for substance abuse programs. 

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: 

A. The effects of addictive substances such as alcohol, drugs and nicotine upon the body; and 

B. 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 parent(s) or guardian(s) 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: 

A. Students, staff, and parent(s) or guardian(s) respect themselves and others. 

B. Individuals can be trusted to do what they say they will do. 

C. High morale is evident. 

D. Each person feels that he or she has a voice in the decisions that affect him or her. 

E. All feel that they are continuing to learn and grow. 

F. All value diversity and accept it as an opportunity for growth and development. 

G. All possess a “sense of belonging.” 

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

I. High moral standards and values are evident. 

To this end, the school will encourage the formation of “natural helper,” Student Assistance Teams and any education and/or prevention promotions that increase the awareness of the effects of substances.  Student support groups shall assist students concerned about their own substance abuse, 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, by students.  Ongoing inservice will be provided for faculty and staff.  Important aspects of inservice 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: 

Administrators, counselors, selected staff and nurse meet on a regular basis for the purpose of identifying any student(s) who may be in need of assistance.  Counselors shall include substance abuse intervention counselors who are hired to assist the district in implementing substance abuse programs.  Such staff shall be sensitive to identifying symptoms of substance abuse. 

Suspected student(s) shall be referred to the Student Assistance 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. 

The Student Assistance Team will meet regularly to review referrals; confer with students and, if warranted, counselors, administrators and/or parent(s) or guardian(s); collect data; make recommendations for services; and maintain a confidential system of recordkeeping.  Parent(s) or guardian(s) will be involved before any action is taken. 

Students returning to school from a community inpatient or outpatient treatment program will be given aftercare support by the Student Assistance Team.  Such students will receive support from “natural helpers” so that they may develop with other students and the school.  Primary aftercare responsibility for students returning from a community treatment program rests with the student, parent(s) or guardian(s) and community treatment program personnel.  School staff, the student, parent(s) or guardian(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 or she may be under the influence of addictive substances and/or admits to a staff member that he or she is under the influence of addictive substances, the school will take the following action: 

A. The parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified to arrange for appropriate treatment. 

B. If the student’s illegal use of addictive substances is confirmed, the school administration shall notify law enforcement officials. 

If school authorities find a student in possession of addictive substances at school, the addictive substances will be confiscated and turned over the law enforcement officials for investigation and disposal. 

If a school administrator receives information concerning sale and use of addictive substances outside of the school, the information will be reported to law enforcement officials for their investigation. 

C. Appropriate school disciplinary action will be taken. 

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

A student’s disciplinary sanction may be reduced if the student agrees to receive treatment and/or attend a support group and fully cooperate with the principal during the investigative process. 

Adoption Date:      April 26, 1994