Article 7 - Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco

Drug and Alcohol Education and Prevention Program of the District Pursuant to The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Laws and Regulations .

All students are provided age appropriate, developmentally based drug and alcohol education and prevention program for all students of the schools.  It shall be the policy of the District to require instruction at such grade level concerning the adverse effects resulting from the use of illicit drugs and alcohol.  Such instruction shall be designed by affected classroom teachers or as otherwise directed by the Board to be appropriate to the age of the student exposed to such instruction.  One of the primary objectives shall be the prevention of illicit drug and alcohol use by students.  It shall further be the policy of the District to encourage the use of outside resource personnel such as law enforcement officers, medical personnel, and experts on the subject of drug and alcohol abuse, so that its economic, social, educational, and physiological consequences may be made known to the students of the District. 

It shall further be the policy of the District, through the instruction earlier herein referred to, as well as by information and consistent enforcement of the Board's policy pertaining to student conduct as it relates to the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol, that drug and alcohol abuse is wrong and is harmful both to the student and the District, and its educational programs.

Drug and Alcohol Counseling, Rehabilitation and Re-entry Programs.

All students shall be provided information concerning available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation, and re-entry programs within sixty miles of the administrative offices of the District or, where no such services are found, within the State of Nebraska.  Information concerning such resources shall be presented to all of the students of the District upon request by the Guidance Counselor.

In the event of disciplinary proceedings against any student for any District policy pertaining to the prohibition against the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol, appropriate school personnel shall confer with any such student and his or her parents or guardian concerning available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation, and re-entry programs that appropriate school personnel shall consider to be of benefit to any such student and his or her parent or parents or guardian.

Standards of Student Conduct Pertaining to the Unlawful Possession, Use, or Distribution of Illicit Drugs or Alcohol on School Premises or as a Part of Any of the School's Activities.

(In addition to standards of student conduct elsewhere adopted by board policy or administrative regulation to absolutely prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol on school premises or as a part of any of the school's activities.)  This shall include such unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by any student of the District during regular school hours or after school hours at school sponsored activities on school premises, at school sponsored activities off school premises.

Conduct prohibited at places and activities as hereinabove described shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1.         Possession of any controlled substance, possession of which is prohibited by law.

2.         Possession of any prescription drug in an unlawful fashion.

3.         Possession of alcohol on school premises or as a part of any of the school's activities.

4.         Use of any illicit drug.

5.         Distribution of any illicit drug.

6.         Use of any drug in an unlawful fashion.

7.         Distribution of any drug or controlled substance when such distribution is unlawful.

8.         The possession, use, or distribution of alcohol.

It shall further be the policy of the district that violation of any of the above prohibited acts will result in disciplinary sanction being taken within the bounds of applicable law, up to and including short term suspension, long term suspension, expulsion, and referral to appropriate authorities for criminal prosecution.

Drugs and Alcohol Prohibited - Standards of Conduct for Students and Employed Staff:

The manufacture, possession, selling, dispensing, use or being under the influence of alcohol or any alcoholic beverage or alcoholic liquor on school grounds, or during an educational function, or event off school grounds, or off school grounds if there is a substantial interference with school purposes, is prohibited.

The possession, selling, dispensing, use or being under the influence of any controlled substance or drug, including but not limited to marijuana, any narcotic drug, any hallucinogen, any stimulant, or any depressant on school grounds, or during the educational function or event off school grounds, or off school grounds if there is a substantial interference with school purposes, is prohibited.

The possession, selling, dispensing, use or being under the influence of any abusable glue or aerosol paint or any other chemical substance for inhalation, including but not limited to lighter fluid, whiteout, and reproduction fluid, when such activity constitutes a substantial interference with school purposes on school grounds or during and educational function, or event off school grounds, is prohibited.

The possession, selling, dispensing or use of any look-alike drug or look-alike controlled substance when such activity constitutes a substantial interference with school purposes on school grounds or during an educational function, or event off school grounds, is prohibited.

Any prescription or non-prescription drug, medicine, vitamin or other chemical may not be taken unless authorized as stated in the next section on AUTHORIZED USE.

Authorized Use:

Any student whose parent or guardian requests that he or she be given any prescription or non-prescription medicine, drug, or vitamin shall provide signed permission by parent or physician.

Disciplinary Sanctions:

1.         Violation of this policy may result in suspension or expulsion.  Prohibited substances will be confiscated and could be turned over to law enforcement authorities.  The student may be referred for counseling or treatment.  Parents or legal guardian will be notified.

2.         If the student is observed to be violating this policy, the student will be escorted to the Principal/Superintendent's office immediately, or if not feasible, the Principal/ Superintendent will be notified.  The student's parents or legal guardian will be requested to pick up the student.  If it appears there is imminent danger to other students, school personnel, or students involved, the Principal/Superintendent, or such other personnel as authorized by the Principal/Superintendent, may have the student removed by authorized medical or law enforcement personnel.

3.         Parents and students shall be given a copy of the standards of conduct and disciplinary sanctions required and shall be notified that compliance with the standards of conduct is mandatory.

Intervention:

Sutton Public Schools does not have the authority or responsibility to make medical or health determinations regarding chemical dependency.  However, when observed behavior indicates that a problem exists which may affect the student's ability to learn or function in the educational climate or activity, the school then has the right and responsibility to refer the student for a formal chemical dependency diagnosis based on behavior observed by school staff.  The school will issue a statement to all students and employed staff that the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful.  The school shall make available to students and employed staff information about any drug and alcohol counseling, and rehabilitation and re-entry programs, which are available to students.

Administration:

The administration is authorized to adopt such administrative rules, regulations or practices necessary to properly implement this policy.  Such regulations, rules or practices may vary the procedures set forth herein to the extent necessary to fit the circumstances of an individual situation.  Such rules, regulations and practices may include administrative forms, such as checklists to be used by staff to record observed behavior and to determine the proper plan of action.

Safe and Drug-Free Schools-- Parental Notice

NOTICE TO PARENTS: Pursuant to the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act, if upon receipt of information regarding the content of safe and drug free school programs and activities other than classroom instruction a parent objects to the participation of their child in such programs and activities, the parent may notify the School District of such objection in writing.  Upon the receipt of such notice the student will be withdrawn from the program or activity to which parental objection has been made.