Student Assistance Program

Transcription

1 Student Assistance Program I. Statement of Philosophy The Carrollton Public Schools recognizes their responsibility to provide all students with an environment conducive to the development of their maximum learning potential. The presence of alcohol and other drugs in the school, or students with substance abuse or other health problems is a deterrent to learning, thereby limiting, interfering with, or inhibiting the primary responsibility vested in the educational system. Therefore, a comprehensive K-12 Student Assistance Program will be provided through trained professionals, using family support, education, prevention and intervention methods, to address at-risk youth in our schools and communities. In the development of this comprehensive student assistance policy, many factors have been considered. We are concerned about the disruption of the learning environment of all students. We are concerned about the total health of our students. Students adversely affected by alcohol and other drugs not only injure themselves, but negatively impact the school environment. We commit ourselves to preserve the safety of all students. The presence of alcohol and other drugs in the schools increases the likelihood that the safety of youngsters will be disrupted through accidents, fights, etc. We are concerned about the legal ramifications for students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the community. We accept the concept of chemical dependency as a treatable disease and realize that the problem in our schools cannot be solved by simplistically excluding those students who are involved. We recognize that there are many contributing factors in a troubled student's life. We, therefore, take a comprehensive approach to problem identification in hopes of assisting any troubled student to seek and become involved in appropriate treatment. In developing this policy, we have tried to maintain a balance between a compassion for and aid to the students suffering from substance abuse and health problems, and the protection of the academic environment of students who wish to learn. We recognize that the rights of students who do not use alcohol and other drugs must be protected. They should not have to be exposed to the possibility of being involved in illegal and unhealthy activities. We recognize that the rights of teachers and administrators to perform their duties must be protected. They must take their place as educators and not perform

2 the duties of police or diagnostician. We recognize that the rights of students suspected of illegal or unhealthy behaviors must be protected. The student must be helped as well as prevented from committing future illegal acts. The policy established by the Board of Education must distinguish between the naïve experimenter, the user, and the seller of alcohol and other drugs with different and appropriate measures and consequences specified for dealing with each. The Board of Education is responsible for establishing a policy and directing its implementation. The school administration must actively enforce the policy and educate the entire school community on its structure and function. The teachers and other staff must understand the policy and put it into practice. II. Prevention A. Student Prevention Programs 1. The school District will take a comprehensive approach to health education including substance abuse. 2. A sequential curriculum stressing preventative health education at all grade levels, kindergarten through grade 12, shall be made as part of the District's health curriculum. An age-appropriate, developmentally based drug and alcohol education and prevention program will be provided for all students in all grades of the schools operated or served by the school District from early childhood level through grade 12. The program will address the legal, social and health consequences of drug and alcohol use and provide information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use illicit drugs or alcohol. 3. The curriculum should meet the minimal objectives as stated in the core curriculum for health education as established by the State Department of Education. 4. An appropriate presentation program will provide information and develop skills to help students make responsible decisions about substance use and abuse and other important health issues. Goals of such a curriculum would include: a. To inform the students of the physiological and psychosocial effects of drug use.

3 b. To develop skills in interpersonal communication, decision-making, child/parent communication, and peer relationships. c. To promote positive emotional health and respect for one's body. 5. Alternative Education addressing the needs of at risk youth shall be offered at the secondary level. B. In-service Training for Faculty, Staff and Administrators 1. All schoolteachers who are responsible for health education will be trained in health and substance abuse issues. 2. All teachers, administrators, and support staff shall have training in issues related to student substance abuse and/or student assistance programming such as behavior identification, resource availability, and policy implementation. 3. Personnel, including counselors, social workers, psychologists, Principals, interested teachers and support staff shall receive training on intervention. 4. Driver's Education teachers shall adopt lessons strongly emphasizing dangers of substance abuse and driving. 5. School personnel shall be introduced to and have regular contact with licensed area substance abuse professionals in prevention. 6. School personnel shall work toward identifying and screening potential media resources available through I.S.D. media center, area agencies, and other sources. Libraries shall have up-to-date resource material related to substance abuse and student assistance programming. C. Parents and Community 1. The school acknowledges the necessity for community and family ownership of drug and alcohol-related problems and responsibility for their resolution. The school has a role to play in addressing drug and alcohol problems, but it must have the cooperation and support of families and the community. 2. Parent involvement will be encouraged to support the school efforts.

4 3. Programs which add to parents' skills in dealing with their youngsters at all K-12 levels shall be offered. 4. Programs that increase awareness of adolescent problems including substance abuse shall be made available to the community. III. Intervention A. It shall be the policy of the Carrollton Public Schools to provide an intervention process designed to interrupt problem behavior in youth. The District shall initiate intervention strategies under three circumstances: 1) students seeking help; 2) students exhibiting inappropriate, unusual, or atypical behavior, and; 3) disciplinary action where students violate rules outlined in the student handbook. B. Students Seeking Help 1. A teacher, administrator, counselor or support staff may respond to a student seeking help with an alcohol or other drug problem, either their own or a significant other, and cannot be compelled to use the information in a disciplinary manner, unless a violation of school policy has already been reported. 2. All should be aware of the distinction between those seeking help and those violating law. All incidents involving possession, distribution, or under the influence of drugs should be reported to the appropriate personnel as will be outlined later in this policy. 3. Every case in which a student seeks information from school personnel to overcome drug abuse problems, either their own or significant others, must be handled on an individual basis, which will depend on the nature and particulars of each case. In determining what procedures might be appropriate, the school personnel should consider: a. Age of student b. Type of drug c. Intensity of involvement

5 d. Sincerity of student and willingness to undertake appropriate treatment e. Resources available f. Parental involvement 4. School personnel are encouraged at the earliest appropriate time to discuss the availability of other resources, his/her limitations, and the necessity of parental involvement. 5. The school designated coordinator or Core Team should always be included in the decision making process to insure an appropriate referral. 6. The student will be referred to a licensed substance abuse assessment program to determine the severity of the case and the appropriate treatment.c. Reporting Unusual, Inappropriate or Atypical Behavior 1. School personnel shall be trained in behavior symptoms and the use of a behavior checklist to document observed behaviors of concern. 2. Documentation is to be turned over to the Counselor or Home/School Coordinator responsible for the student assistance program. 3. The Counselor or Home/School Coordinator responsible for the student assistance program will distribute behavior checklists to all teachers, counselors, coaches, etc., involved with the student for completion. 4. Core Team meets to review behavior checklist and to formulate a plan of action. 5. If at risk behaviors are identified, parents will be contacted to discuss the behaviors of concern and the programs available. 6. Results will be shared with the student in an atmosphere of caring, not discipline. Parents may choose to be included. 7. Referral to a licensed assessment agency may be recommended to determine the area of concern and extent of the problem.

6 8. Because this is not a disciplinary issue, screening recommendations can be refused. Student involvement in a screening at this level is voluntary. Parent and/or student can decline the offer, of the screening by the licensed assessment agency. 9. Behavior checklists will be kept on file for the remainder of the school year consistent with the school policy on educational records and family right and policy act. D. Disciplinary General Principles 1. School personnel are required to report any witnessed infractions or suspected drug activity to the Principal. 2. A designated administrator will investigate the report and determine if there is a reasonable basis to believe that a student may be involved as reported, observing the student's civil and due process rights. IV. Use or Possession The Carrollton Public Schools established a Student Assistance Program to provide education, assistance, and support for students affected by their own or others' drug and alcohol-related problems along the following guidelines: A. The manufacture, distribution, s ale, possession, use or being under the influence of the following substances is prohibited: 1. Tobacco or tobacco products in any form. 2. Alcohol or any alcoholic beverage. 3. Illicit drugs. Any abusable glue, aerosol or other chemical substance, including but not limited to lighter fluid and reproduction fluid for inhalation. Any prescription or non-prescription drug, medicine, vitamin or other chemical including, but not limited to aspirin, other pain relievers, stimulants, diet pills, multiple or other type vitamins, pep pills, nodoze pills, cough medicines and syrups, cold medicines, laxatives, stomach or digestive remedies, depressants and sleeping pills not

7 taken in accordance with the school District's authorized use of medication procedures. Steroids, human growth hormones or other performance-enhancing drugs. Substances purported to be illegal, abusive or performance-enhancing, i.e., "look-a-like" drugs. It shall not be a violation of this policy for a student to use or possess a prescription or patent drug when taken pursuant to a legal prescription issued by a licensed physician for which permission to use in school has been granted pursuant to District policy. 1. First Offense: Parents and law enforcement will be contacted immediately upon verification of the violation. The student will be suspended (in school or out of school) for 10 days, and will be ineligible for participation in all extracurricular activities for a period of 30 days. The building administrator may reduce the suspension (in school or out of school) to 3 days and loss of extracurricular eligibility to 10 if: a. The student agrees to see the building administrator, SAP (Student Assistance Program) Coordinator/Counselor and follow their recommendations satisfactorily and if recommended; b. The student and family agree to a drug and alcohol assessment provided at a State approved alcohol/drug agency in the community and conducted by a Certified Alcoholism/ Drug Abuse Counselor, and follow his/her recommendations. 2. Second Offense: Parents and law enforcement will be contacted immediately upon verification of the violation. A recommendation for expulsion will be made to the Board of Education. The building administrator, or the Board of Education Expulsion Review Committee, or the Board of Education may not recommend expulsion if: a. The student agrees to see the building administrator, SAP Coordinator/Counselor and follow recommendation satisfactorily and if recommended.

8 b. The student and family agree to a drug and alcohol assessment provided at a State approved alcohol/drug agency in the community and conducted by a Certified Alcoholism/Drug Abuse Counselor, and follow his/her recommendations satisfactorily.b. Reductions in length of suspension or extracurricular ineligibility, or withholding of expulsion may be revoked whenever a student fails to demonstrate compliance with section 1 of the policy above. V. Distribution Of Drugs, Look-A-Likes Or Paraphernalia Various instruments and materials are commonly known to be intended for the use of, or preparation of illicit substances as defined above. Such instruments would include hash pipes, water pipes, certain cigarette papers, apparatus used for rolling marijuana cigarettes, spoons used for the inhalation of cocaine, hypodermic syringes, matches and other similar materials. Because of the intended use implied by these implements, the manufacture, distribution, sale, use or possession is prohibited. VI. Referral A. It shall be the policy of this District to refer students only to licensed substance abuse programs. B. This school shall consistently follow the referral patterns developed in this policy. C. For effective cooperation between school, referral agencies, and law enforcement, appropriate lines of communication shall be opened. A SAP Counselor or Home/School Coordinator shall serve as liaison with the referral agency. A building administrator will serve as a liaison with law enforcement. Clear separation shall be made between the referral duties of SAP Counselor or Home/School Coordinator and the disciplinary function of the building administrator. D. Referral agencies and law enforcement shall be encouraged to appoint a liaison with sufficient authority to influence decisions which commit their respective employers. E. Only SAP Counselor or Home/School Coordinator with building administrator approval will have the authority to refer to the licensed substance abuse assessment program for screening.

9 F. Procedures shall be cooperatively developed to insure prompt and efficient handling of all incidents which would involve the licensed substance abuse assessment program or law enforcement. G. The school District shall provide training to school personnel on referral procedures. VII Treatment A. It shall be the policy of this District to promote the "continuum of care" theory that states there are many treatment strategies that are appropriate depending on the severity of the problem and the individual's support systems. Treatment strategies may include education, support groups, outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient therapy, residential treatments, long-term residential, and inpatient treatment. B. The school shall cooperate with the parents, student and treatment agency while the student is in treatment to make the experience positive and assure a successful transition back into the school atmosphere. 1. The school shall maintain contact with the treatment agency and the student. 2. The school shall provide academic instructional materials in accordance with State Board of Education guidelines. 3. Prior to the student's discharge, SAP Counselor or Home/School Coordinator shall meet with the treatment staff to plan for transition into the school environment. C. Mutual releases of information to the extent allowable under the law shall be sought to assure the exchange of pertinent information between the school's Core Team members and treatment agency. VIII. Follow-Up This District recognizes the importance of peer support groups for students experiencing personal problems, including substance abuse. SAP groups may be established. IX. Confiscation of Drugs

10 To maintain order and discipline in the schools and to protect the safety and welfare of students and school personnel, school authorities may search a student, student lockers and desks or student automobiles under the circumstances outlined below and may seize any illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials discovered in the search. A student's failure to permit searches and seizures as provided in this policy will be considered grounds for disciplinary action. A student's person and/or personal effects (e.g., purse, book bag, athletic bag) may be searched whenever a school official has reasonable suspicion to believe that the student is in possession of illegal or unauthorized materials. Student lockers and desks are school property and remain at all times under the control of the school; however, students are expected to assume full responsibility for the security of their lockers and desks. Students should not expect privacy regarding items placed in school property because school property is subject to search at any time by school officials. School authorities for any reason may conduct periodic general inspections of lockers and desks at any time without notice, without student consent and without a search warrant. (High School) Students are permitted to park on school premises as a matter of privilege, not of right. The school District retains authority to conduct routine patrols of the student parking lot and inspections of the exterior of student automobiles on school property. The interiors of student vehicles may be inspected whenever a school authority has reasonable suspicion to believe that illegal or unauthorized materials are contained inside. Such patrols and inspections may be conducted without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. If a properly conducted search yields illegal or contraband materials, such finding shall be turned over to proper legal authorities for ultimate disposition X. Medical Emergency A person who exhibits unusual behavior such as drowsiness, slurred speech, motor imbalance, unaccountable excitability, and/or if unable to function in the classroom may be experiencing the effects of an alcohol and/or drug overdose. In all such cases, the Principal should be notified immediately about the symptoms. In no case should any diagnosis or suggestion that the person has been abusing drugs be made.

11 Overdose with alcohol and/or other drugs may be life threatening and must be dealt with according to Board Policies, Student Accidents and Illness and Communicable Disease Control Policy. XI. Athletic Policies And Procedures A. Use of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Medical research clearly substantiates the fact the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs presents a risk to the health and well-being of humans. Use of controlled substances, or other substances purposely misused for the intent of obtaining a "high", is not considered acceptable behavior by student-athletes. Students who express an interest in pursuing athletic excellence are compromising their potential and their health by using such substances. Any student who is participating in the school athletic program shall not possess, use, buy, or sell tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, including steroids, performance enhancing drugs, or any other legally controlled substances. It is important to understand that these training rules are in effect 12 months a year, and violations are cumulative throughout a student-athlete's career. Violations will be observed by the following: members of the coaching staff, faculty, administrators, law enforcement agents, and parents. 1. First Violation: After confirmation of the first violation of the above training rule, the student-athlete shall lose eligibility for a period of two weeks, or two consecutive interscholastic events, whichever is greater. During the time, an athlete will be required to practice with the team, but may not compete. It is recommended that, when appropriate, the school refer the student to a community agency or counselor for assessment of potential chemical abuse. 2. Second Violation: After confirmation of the second violation, the student shall lose eligibility for a period of six weeks of a sports season in which he/she is a participant. During that time, the athlete will be allowed to practice with the team, but may not compete. If there are less than six weeks remaining in a current season, the penalty will carry over to the next season of participation. In addition, the student will not be eligible to receive any awards for that season. It is recommended that

12 before being re-admitted to competition following suspension, the student shall demonstrate evidence that he/she has sought counseling from a community agency, counselor, doctor, other professional for chemical abuse. 3. Third Violation: After confirmation of the third violation of the training rules, the student shall lose eligibility for a period of one calendar year for all sports participation. Before being readmitted to participation, the student must demonstrate that he/she has received substance abuse counseling from a professional individual or agency. Adopted: January 21, 2002