SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

The Gardner Public School District prohibits the use of alcohol, illegal substances, and the improper use of harmful substances.

The possession, use, transmittal, serving, or consumption of any alcoholic beverage, illegal/harmful substance on school property, and/or at any school-sponsored activity is prohibited. Violations of this policy shall result in appropriate action as set forth in the student handbooks.

Further, any student may be barred from a school-sponsored activity if there is reason to believe he/she has been drinking alcoholic beverages or using illegal substances prior to his/her attendance at or participation in said school-sponsored activity. Any staff member with knowledge of alcohol or harmful drug use or the carrying of harmful substances shall notify the principal or the superintendent and the appropriate legal authorities.

The district shall provide full cooperation with legal authorities.

In all instances, school personnel will follow Massachusetts General Laws.

PREVENTION AND EDUCATION

The substance abuse prevention program of the Gardner Public Schools provides students and employees with information and activities that will discourage them from using alcohol and other drugs. This program shall focus on classroom instruction, parent education, guidance and counseling, and the school climate. Involvement of parents and other community members is essential for success of the schools prevention activities.

Instructional Program

1. All schools, elementary and secondary, will have instructional programs, which assist students in making responsible decisions about the use of alcohol and other drugs. Current and accurate information about drugs and their effects upon the body is one component of an instructional prevention program. Other components include instruction and skill development related to self-esteem, goal setting, decision-making, understanding feelings, conflict management and problem solving, refusal skills, and development of communication skills.

Health education programs will have responsibility for providing instruction about the prevention of substance abuse. Other areas of the curriculum will reinforce the prevention concepts taught in the health program. Instruction will be provided about student responsibilities and rights as they relate to use of drugs on the school and community.

2. There will be staff development offered in the area of prevention strategies. Up-to-date substance abuse information and curricula information will be available to employees. All employees will be expected to attend training sessions and incorporate information learned into their curriculum, as appropriate.

3. The schools will offer an annual parent education component that may utilize the media and educational classes to discuss the dangers of substance abuse.

Guidance and Counseling

Guidance and counseling personnel will assist teachers with the implementation of classroom drug and alcohol prevention activities.

Counselors will work with students, individually and in small groups, to supplement drug and alcohol prevention instruction and skill development.

The guidance department can also be used as a referral source for assistance programs in the community.

School Climate

School climate is an important element in the prevention of drug and alcohol use/abuse. The effects of drug and alcohol use/abuse may manifest themselves in poor school achievement; truancy; dropping out; poor relationships with family, peers, and school personnel; delinquency; and other behavioral problems.

The schools will also encourage programs that foster student advocacy of substance abuse prevention and positive school climate.

INTERVENTION

The Gardner Public Schools will maintain a referral team in each school, which shall be responsible for input regarding substance abuse related referrals. This team may on an as needed basis consist of administration, faculty, special education, guidance, the school nurse and others.

The team will be convened to review facts, provide input and suggest appropriate referrals. All school personnel will receive training as to specific guidelines for referrals, how and when to refer, and documentation.

Self-referral

Students who are concerned about their involvement with chemicals should ask a staff member for assistance. If the staff person is a counselor, the counselor will first discuss the nature of the counseling relations, and let the student know that the team will be informed. All other staff people will refer the student directly to the team. The team will refer the student to the appropriate counselor, who will then help the student to evaluate the impact that chemical use has on the student's personal, physical, and academic well-being. All self-referrals will be treated confidentially. The counselor will provide supportive services. If the counselor determines a school violation is currently taking place, he/she with discretion will make a report to the administration. Should the student's involvement with chemicals progress to the point that it threatens the student's welfare, the counselor will talk with the student about the need to involve other people or resources outside the student/counselor relationship. The student and counselor will identify the next appropriate level of intervention.

Students who are affected by another person's chemical use (friend or family member) are also encouraged to make self-referrals.

Other Referrals

School personnel who suspect that a student is using alcohol or another drug and/or observe changes in academic, social, or personal behavior that might be related to use of drugs, shall refer the student to the team using the student assistance referral form.

The team shall review the referral and, if appropriate, make recommendations to assist the student in addressing the existing concerns. Recommendations will be discussed with the parents and a plan will be developed. Recommended plans might include and or all of the following; formal substance abuse assessment; individual, family, or group counseling; in-patient treatment; drug education; development of a contract with the student and referral to specific programs or agencies. The team will monitor follow-up recommendations.

AFTERCARE/FOLLOW-UP

It is important that students returning to school from a community in-patient or outpatient treatment program be given aftercare support. Primary aftercare responsibility for students returning from community treatment programs rest with the student, parent(s) and community treatment program personnel. School staff, the student, parent(s) and community treatment personnel will work cooperatively to facilitate the aftercare plan. It is mandated that the parent and student contact the school before re-entry to the school from a residential program.

[Adopted: June 8, 1998]

[Revised: August 2000]

[Revised: May 2003]

[Revised: November 2006]

LEGAL REF.::

M.G.L. 71:37H; 71:37H ½; 76:12; 76:12A; 76:12B 603 CMR 26:00