Board Policy

BP 5131.6

Students

Alcohol And Other Drugs

The Board of Education believes that the use of alcohol and other drugs adversely affects a student's ability to achieve academic success, is physically and emotionally harmful, and has serious social and legal consequences. The Board desires to keep district schools free of alcohol and other drugs and desires that every effort be made to reduce student use of these substances. The Board perceives this effort as an important step towards preventing violence, promoting school safety and creating a disciplined environment conducive to learning.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop a comprehensive prevention and intervention program that includes instruction, referral to a rehabilitation program, enforcement/ discipline, activities that promote the involvement of parents/guardians and coordination with appropriate community agencies and organizations.

(cf. 0450 - Comprehensive Safety Plan)

(cf. 1020 - Youth Services)

(cf. 4020 - Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace)

(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)

The Superintendent or designee shall clearly communicate to all students, staff and parents/guardians the district's policies, regulations and school rules related to the use of alcohol and other drugs on school campuses or at school activities. Information about program needs and goals shall be widely distributed in the community.

(cf. 1100 - Communication with the Public)

(cf. 5131.61 - Drug Testing)

(cf. 5131.62 - Tobacco)

(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)

The Board expects staff to conduct themselves in accordance with the district's philosophy related to alcohol and other drugs. Staff should help students see themselves as responsible partners in efforts to maintain a safe, constructive school climate.

(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)

The Board also encourages the establishment of site-level advisory groups to assist in promoting alcohol- and drug-free schools.

(cf. 1220 - Citizen Advisory Committees)

Instruction

The district shall provide preventative instruction which helps students avoid the use of alcohol and other drugs. Comprehensive, age-appropriate K-12 instruction shall address the legal, social, personal and health consequences of drug and alcohol use, promote a sense of individual responsibility, and inform students about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use alcohol and other drugs.

All instruction and related materials shall consistently state that unlawful use of alcohol or other drugs is wrong and harmful. Instruction shall not include the concept of responsible use when such use is illegal.

Teachers shall be trained to answer students' questions related to alcohol and drugs and to help students obtain and use current and accurate information, develop and maintain a positive self-concept, take positive actions to cope with stress, and use appropriate social and personal skills to resist involvement with alcohol and other drugs.

(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)

(cf. 6142.2 - AIDS Prevention Instruction)

(cf. 6142.8 - Comprehensive Health Education)

(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)

Intervention, Referral and Recovering Student Support

The Board believes that effective interventions should be available to assist students who use alcohol or other drugs. School staff, students and parents/guardians shall be informed about signs and symptoms which may indicate alcohol and other drug use and about appropriate agencies offering intervention programs, counseling and rehabilitation for students and their family members. The district shall help recovering students to avoid reinvolvement with alcohol and other drugs by providing school and/or community service activities designed to increase students' sense of community.

(cf. 6142.4 - Learning Through Community Service)

The Board strongly encourages any student who is using alcohol or drugs to discuss the matter with his/her parent/guardian or with any staff member. Students who disclose their use of alcohol or other drugs when seeking help from an intervention or recovery program shall not be disciplined for such use.

Enforcement/Discipline

The Superintendent or designee shall take appropriate action to eliminate possession, use or sale of alcohol and other drugs and related paraphernalia on school grounds, at school events, or in any situation in which the school is responsible for the conduct and well-being of students. School authorities may search students and school properties for the possession of alcohol and other drugs in accordance with law, Board policy and administrative regulations.

(cf. 5145.11 - Questioning and Apprehension)

(cf. 5145.12 - Search and Seizure)

Students possessing, using or selling alcohol or other drugs or related paraphernalia at school or at a school event shall be subject to disciplinary procedures including suspension or expulsion in accordance with law, Board policy and administrative regulations. Such students also may be referred to an appropriate rehabilitation program.

(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE

44049 Known or suspected alcohol or drug abuse by student

48900 Suspension or expulsion (grounds)

48900.5 Suspension, limitation on imposition; exception

48901 Smoking or use of tobacco prohibited

48901.5 Prohibition of electronic signaling devices

48902 Notification of law enforcement authorities; civil or criminal immunity

48909 Narcotics or other hallucinogenic drugs

48915 Expulsion; particular circumstances

49423 Administration of prescribed medication

49480 Notice to school by parent or guardian; consultation with physician

49602 Confidentiality of pupil information

51202 Instruction in personal and public health and safety

51203 Instruction on alcohol, narcotics and restricted dangerous drugs

51210 Areas of study

51220 Areas of study, grades 7 to 12

51260 Elementary and secondary school instruction in drug education by appropriately trained instructors

51262 Use of anabolic steroids; legislative finding and declaration

51264 CDE assistance for inservice training

51265 Gang violence and drug and alcohol abuse prevention inservice

51268 Collaboration to avoid duplication of effort

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE

25608 Alcohol on school property; use in connection with instruction

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

11032 Narcotics, restricted dangerous drugs and marijuana; construction of terms used in other divisions

11053-11058 Standards and schedules

11353.6 Juvenile Drug Trafficking and Schoolyard Act

11357 Unauthorized possession of marijuana; punishment; prior conviction; possession in school or on school grounds

11361.5 Destruction of arrest or conviction records

11372.7 Drug program fund; uses

11802 Joint school-community alcohol abuse primary education and prevention program

11965-11969 The School-Community Primary Prevention Program

11998-11998.3 Drug and Alcohol Abuse Master Plans

11999-11999.3 Alcohol and drug program funding; no unlawful use

124175-124200 Adolescent family life program (Department of Health Services)

PENAL CODE

13864 Comprehensive alcohol and drug prevention education

VEHICLE CODE

13202.5 Drug and alcohol related offenses by person under age of 21, but aged 13 or over; suspension, delay, or restriction of driving privileges

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

828 Disclosure of information re minors

828.1 Disclosure of criminal records; protection of vulnerable staff & students

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20

5812 National education goals

7101-7143 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994

Policy PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

adopted: May 24, 2001 Palo Verdes Estates, California