5131.6 - Alcohol and Other Drugs - Procedure

Instruction

Students shall receive instruction by appropriately trained instructors about the nature and effects of alcohol and other drugs, including dangerous drugs defined by Health and Safety Code section 11032.

Administrators shall determine that drug education instructors are appropriately trained, having demonstrated that they possess:

1. The ability to interact with students in a positive way.
2. The knowledge of the properties and effects of tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, dangerous drugs, and shared drug apparatus.
3. Effective teaching skill and competency in helping students to express opinions responsibly and to become aware of their values as they affect drug-use decisions.

At all grade levels, instruction shall include a study of the effects of alcohol and other drugs upon the human system, as determined by science.

In grades 1 through 6, instruction in drug education should be given in health courses required by the Education Code.

In grades 7 through 12, instruction in drug education shall be conducted in health courses and in any other appropriate area of study required by the Education Code. Instruction shall be sequential in nature and suited to meet the needs of students at their respective ability level.

Secondary school instruction shall include a study of the effects of alcohol and other drugs upon prenatal development, as determined by science.

The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools’ (SBCSS) drug education program shall augment any program provided by San Bernardino County drug education services.

Staff shall take every opportunity to cooperate with county staff in planning and implementing collaborative alcohol and drug prevention programs.

Intervention

Employees of SBCSS shall intervene whenever students use alcohol and other drugs while on school property or under school jurisdiction.

Staff members who believe that a student may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall immediately notify the principal or designee. The principal or designee shall notify the parent/guardian and/or probation department, if appropriate. The principal or designee may refer families of these students to services that effectively deal with their drug problems. In severe cases, if the parents/guardians or the school medical personnel are not immediately available, the principal or designee is authorized to call emergency services to transport the student to a hospital. Parents/guardians will be notified of this action and shall be responsible for the incurred expenses.

School staff shall not disclose confidential information provided during counselling by a student 12 years of age or older. A school counsellor may report such information to the principal or parent/guardian only when he/she believes that disclosure is necessary to avert a clear and present danger to the health, safety or welfare of the student or other persons living in the school community. The school counsellor shall not disclose such information to the parent/guardian if he/she believes that the disclosure would result in a clear and present danger to the student’s health, safety or welfare.

Enforcement/Discipline

1. Possession or Use of Alcohol or Illegal Drugs

1. When any student uses or possesses alcohol or illegal drugs at school or while under school jurisdiction, the student’s parent/guardian shall be contacted and law enforcement will be contacted, as appropriate. Disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion, as appropriate, will be implemented in accordance with Superintendent’s Policies 5144 and 5144.1-Discipline/Procedure.
2. In addition, one or more of the following actions may be taken:
   1. Restriction from school activities.
   2. Referral to an appropriate community counselling program with the expectation that at least one counselling session will be held during the time of
      suspension.
   3. Transfer to an alternate school placement.

2. Continued Use or Possession of Alcohol or Other Drugs

When intervention efforts fail and the student continues to use or possess alcohol or other drugs at school or any school activity, he/she may be expelled in accordance with Superintendent’s Policies 5144 and 5144.1-Discipline/Procedure.

3. Selling or Providing

1. When there is sufficient evidence that a student has sold or provided alcohol or other drugs, or drug paraphernalia, at school or while under school
   jurisdiction, law enforcement must be notified. Law enforcement authorities will decide whether they or the school will notify the parent/guardian.
2. When any student sells or provides alcohol or other drugs, or drug paraphernalia, at school or while under school jurisdiction, disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion, as appropriate, will be implemented in accordance with Superintendent’s Policies and Regulations 5144 and 5144.1- Discipline/Procedure. SBCSS shall have the authority to transfer the student to alternative placement.
3. Staff shall notify the principal or designee immediately upon suspecting a student is selling or providing alcohol and other drugs. The principal or designee may notify law enforcement, and/or probation department, prior to confronting or searching the student.
4. A search for drugs may be made in accordance with the provisions of law and judicial precedent.

Approved: May 24, 1994
Revised: November 4, 2014