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JICH - Drug and Alcohol Use by Students

JICH - Drug and Alcohol Use by Students

The Board of Directors and staff of the school unit support a safe and healthy learning environment for students which is free of the detrimental effects of drugs and alcohol. Accomplishing this goal requires a cooperative effort among school staff, students, parents, law enforcement officials, and organizations concerned with the use of drugs and alcohol by school-aged youth.

In order to promote the safety, health, and wellbeing 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.

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 “bath salts'' or other synthetic hallucinogen or any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, anabolic steroid, 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, except as outlined in policy JLCD Administering Medication to Students and JLCDA Medical Marijuana in Schools.

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.

Disciplinary Action 

Principals may suspend and/or recommend expulsion of students who violate this policy based upon the facts of each case and in accordance with established disciplinary procedures. Students may also be referred to law enforcement authorities for investigation and/or prosecution.

Prevention/Education

MSAD #35 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 wrong and harmful, how to resist peer pressure, and address the legal, social, and health consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. 

Intervention

MSAD #35 will establish a team approach to intervene with students with drug/alcohol problems. Students will be assisted in addressing their drug/alcohol problems in continuing their educational program. Students will be provided with information and referral, if necessary, to aid them in obtaining assistance from appropriate community organizations. Student records concerning such interventions shall be kept confidential as required by state and federal laws.

Policy Communications

MSAD #35 shall distribute this policy and appropriate related information to staff, students, and parents on an annual basis through handbooks and/or other means selected by the Superintendent and building administrators.

 

21 USC § 812 (Controlled Substances Act)

21 CFR Part 1300.11-15

Pub.L.No. 101-226 (Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of Amendments of 1989)

17-A MRSA § 1101

42 USC § 290dd-2

42 CFR § 2.1 et seq.

20-A MRSA §§ 1001(9); 4008

  Cross References: 

GBEC - Drug Free Workplace

JICIA - Weapons, Violence, and School Safety

JKD - Suspension of Students

JKE - Expulsion of Students

JLCD - Administering Medication to Students

JLCDA - Medical Marijuana in Schools

JRA - Student Records

 

Policy Adopted: August 28, 1985

Policy Revised: August 19, 1987, June 16, 1993 and December 4, 2002, February 28, 2018, May 12, 2021; January 17, 2024

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