Drug and Alcohol Policy

In the interest of the health, safety, social and emotional well-being of all students, the board has adopted the following policy to address student alcohol and other drug use during school or at school related activities and functions.

The policy will have three principle components:

Prevention: a curriculum designed to present age appropriate accurate information to students to help them make positive and healthy lifestyle choices and prevent alcohol and drug use.

Intervention: a program designed to identify and intervene with students with alcohol and/or drug related behaviour and problems.

Consequences:  a set of disciplinary actions that address alcohol or other drug infractions.

(1)               Prevention

The goal of the prevention component is to provide an educational process that encourages students to demonstrate knowledge, attitudes and skills which promote positive lifestyle behaviour and well being concerning alcohol and drug use. The purpose of a preventative curriculum is to reduce the incidence of alcohol and drug use and subsequent problems through a comprehensive education and appropriate activities. Within the curriculum, specific objectives will be identified for each grade level and will be consistent with the students' age and developmental style.

Strategies

The provincial department of education's physical education/health education curriculum includes compulsory drug and alcohol prevention within a curriculum, which helps students understand:

(a)               healthy and positive lifestyle choices;
(b)               the effect of alcohol and other drugs on the body;
(c)               the factors that influence people to use or not to use drugs;
(d)               the decision adolescents face to use or not to use drugs;
(e)               the alternatives to drug use;
(f)                 the skills needed to resist peer pressure.

The division will continue to implement the physical education/health education curricula and will provide programs and/or school initiatives for all students which will assist in the promotion of healthy choices and discourage alcohol and drug use.

The division will provide support services to assist students in decision making and skill development.

(2)               Intervention

The goal of early intervention is to reduce the use of alcohol and drugs through education, assessment, and counseling and referral services. Identification of concerns may occur by:

(a)               student self referral;
(b)               parent/guardian, or staff may refer students;
(c)               compulsory referral as a result of disciplinary action for alcohol or drug use at school, on school property or at a school sponsored event or activity;
(d)               assessment and counseling will be provided by appropriate divisional or community agencies to students who require assistance.

(3)               Consequences

The goal of disciplinary action is to intervene appropriately with those students whose behaviour and actions are harmful to themselves and to protect the health and safety of all students.

This policy refers to the following substances:

(a)               alcohol;
(b)               restricted drugs (misused prescription or over the counter drugs, including steroids);
(c)                illegal drugs (including steroids);
(d)               pills or other substances which are misrepresented and sold or distributed as restricted or illegal drugs;
(e)               products misused for the purpose of mind altering affect (aerosols, solvents).

The following actions involving these substances would incur consequences:

(a)               attempting to secure or purchase;
(b)               using or having used;
(c)               possessing;
(d)              intending or attempting to sell or distribute;
(e)              selling or distributing;
(f)               being knowingly present when used, possessed or consumed;
(g)              possession of paraphernalia.

The exception to this policy is the purchase and/or consumption of alcohol by students of legal age at the graduation dinner and dance if the sale of alcohol is part of the safe graduation arrangements.

Students who are in possession of five or more individually wrapped packages of illegal drugs will be considered to be in possession for the purpose of dealing or trafficking in these drugs. Students who give or sell any amount of alcohol or other drug to a student at school, on any school or division property or at any school activity or function will be considered to be dealing or trafficking in illegal drugs.

(a)               First Offence (Other Than Trafficking)

The principal or designate:

(i)     will suspend for five days;
(ii)    will notify parents/guardians of action taken and the procedure for re-entry to school;
(iii)   will submit a suspension report to the superintendent or designate;
(iv)   may recommend indefinite suspension or expulsion;
(v)   will refer the student for alcohol/drug assessment and/or counselling;
(vi)  may refer to police for legal action.

(b)               Second Offence (Other Than Trafficking)

The principal or designate:
(i)    will suspend for five days;
(ii)   will notify parents/guardians of action taken;
(iii)  will submit a suspension report to the superintendent or designate  who:

1. may suspend for a minimum of five additional days;
2. in consultation with the principal, will establish conditions and expectations for readmittance to school. This will include a re-entry meeting for the student, his/her guardian, the school principal or designate and the superintendent or designate.
3. in consultation with the principal will require the student to complete Addictions Foundation of Manitoba assessment and counseling;
4. may recommend to the board of trustees extended suspension or expulsion from the division schools;
5. will inform the parents of the action taken;

(iv)  may refer to the police for legal action.

(c)               Third Offence (Other Than Trafficking)

The principal or designate:

(i)    will suspend for five days;
(ii)   will notify parents/guardians of action taken;
(iii)  will submit a suspension report to the superintendent who:

1. will inform the parents that the student has been suspended indefinitely pending a discipline review by the board;
2. will inform the parents of the board decision and conditions for appeal;
3. will inform the parents/guardians of the results of the appeal and, if the student is reinstated, the conditions of the reinstatement.  This includes but is not limited to placement in  an alternate school. Reinstatement will include a re-entry meeting for the student, his/her guardian, the school principal or designate and the superintendent or designate.

(iv)   may refer to the police for legal action.

(d)               Repeated Offenses

(i)  Students with continued involvement with alcohol and/or other drugs after the interventions/consequences listed above will be suspended pending a meeting with the superintendent or designate to determine the conditions of reinstatement in school, if any. The superintendent may recommend an appearance before the board of trustees.

(e)               Trafficking

In the event of trafficking/dealing in drugs or being in possession of five grams/packages or more:

The principal or designate:

(i)    will notify parents/guardians that the student has been suspended for five days;
(ii)   will inform parents that the superintendent or designate will determine the length of the suspension/expulsion;
(iii)  will refer the case to the police for legal action;
(iv)  will submit a report to the superintendent or designate.

The superintendent:

(i)    will inform the principal of the length of the suspension;
(ii)   will review the case and if expulsion make a recommendation to the board;
(iii)  will inform the parents of the decision of the board;
(iv)  will inform the parents of the appeal process;
(v)   will inform the parents of the results of the appeal and if the student is reinstated the condition(s) of the reinstatement.

(4)               Communication

As awareness of the policy is key to acceptance by the stakeholders, it is essential that staff, students, parents and the community be informed of the policy. This information will be delivered through staff meetings, school newsletters, school assemblies, student handbooks, or through the local media. Schools are  encouraged to discuss the policy with students throughout the year. 

(5)               Staff Training

Staff training is a critical part of implementation. Training will include information to assist staff with the following:

(a)        recognition of the signs of students under the influence;
(b)        recognition of students affected by their own or others involvement with alcohol or other drugs;
(c)        signs of students involved in trafficking;
(d)        recognition of direct student involvement with alcohol or other drugs;
(e)        steps involved in the intervention process outlined by the policy;
(f)         development of intervention skills and strategies;
(g)        reporting procedures.

Staff training and/or information for parents may come through in-servicing, awareness sessions, and delivery of the health curriculum and/or community forums.