5312.1

DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE

The Board of Education is committed to the prevention and intervention of alcohol and other substance use/abuse. The District will promote and encourage healthy lifestyles for its student body and staff, and will inhibit the unhealthy use/abuse of alcohol, and other substances. This statement is in accordance with already existing district philosophies and goals.

PHILOSPOHY STATEMENT:

The district will use the following principles as guides for the development of its substance use/abuse prevention efforts and for any disciplinary measures related to alcohol and other substances:

1) Alcohol and other substance abuse is preventable and treatable.

2) Alcohol, and other substance abuse inhibits the district from carrying out its central mission of educating students to their full potential.

3) The Board, the administration and all school staff should model the behavior asked of students.

4) The educational program shall allow for the attainment of an optimal quality of life. This can be accomplished by the promotion of responsible decision making, healthy life styles and maximum intellectual development of students and staff.

5) While the district can and must assume a leadership role in alcohol and other substance use/abuse prevention, this goal will be accomplished only through coordinated, collaborative efforts with parents, students, staff, and the community as a whole.

CODE OF BEHAVIOR

No student may use, possess, sell, or distribute alcohol or other substances, nor may use or possess drug paraphernalia, on school grounds or at school-sponsored events, except drugs as prescribed by a physician within the guidelines set forth in existing district policy for students regarding prescription medication. The term “alcohol and/or other substances” shall be construed throughout this policy to refer to the use of all substances including, but not limited to, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines, heroin, steroids, look-alike drugs, and any of those substances commonly referred to as “designer drugs”. The inappropriate use of prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs shall also be prohibited.

Any person exhibiting behavior, conduct, or physical characteristics indicative of having used or consumed alcohol and/or other substances, or any person who school personnel have reasonable grounds to suspect has used alcohol and/or other substances will be prohibited from entering onto school grounds or at school-sponsored events.

Any person in violation of the provisions of this policy shall be subject to removal from school property and prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the law. Students in violation of this policy shall additionally be subject to disciplinary actions in accordance with school regulations.

Any staff member observing alcohol and/or other substances possession or usage by students shall report the incident immediately to the Building Principal. Any alcohol and/or other substances found shall be confiscated immediately, followed by notification of the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student(s) involved and the appropriate disciplinary action taken in accordance with district regulations. In its effort to maintain a drug-free environment, the district shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible with local, state and/or federal law enforcement agencies.

Cross-ref: 5310, Student Discipline

5330, Searches and Interrogations

Ref: Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, 20 U.S.C. ''3171 et seq.

20 U.S.C. '114-5g

42USC ''5101, 11841

34 CFR Part 86

Education Law ''804; 912-a; 3214

General Municipal Law '239-u

Mental Hygiene Law '19.07(c)

Penal Law ''220.00 et seq.

Public Health Law, Article 33

8 NYCRR ''100.2(c); 135.3

New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985)

Odenheim v. Carlstadt-East Rutherford Region School District, 211 N.J. Super. 54, 510 AD2d 709 (1985)

People v. Scott D., 34 NY2d 483 (1974)

Matter of Wilson, 28 EDR 254 (1988)

Matter of Pollnow, 22 EDR 547 (1983)

Matter of Vetter, 20 EDR 547 (1981)

Matter of Rodriguez, 8 EDR 214 (1969)

Adoption: January 13, 2002

Reviewed: July 14, 2008