FILE: JCDAC
STUDENT ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board is dedicated to providing a drug-free learning environment for the students attending public schools. The School Board directs that each student shall be specifically prohibited from being under the influence of, bringing on, consuming, or having in his/her possession on a school bus, on school premises, or at a school function away from the school, any alcoholic beverages, narcotic drugs, prescription medications, marijuana, nitrate based inhalants, imitation or counterfeit controlled substances, or other controlled substance as defined by state statutes, unless dispensed by a licensed physician as allowed by law. The Superintendent shall be responsible for maintaining appropriate procedures for the detection of alcohol, narcotic drugs, nitrate-based inhalants, imitation or counterfeit controlled dangerous substances, or any other controlled substances.
Any violations of criminal laws, state or federal, committed on school property shall be prosecuted as provided by law. School officials, teachers and/or Board employees shall report all violators to the principal, who in turn, shall notify the proper law enforcement agency and shall cooperate with the prosecuting attorney's office in the prosecution of charges. Any student who distributes, sells or dispenses in any manner or form whatsoever a controlled dangerous substance as defined by state law to another student or anyone else while on the school premises shall be expelled pursuant to the provisions and guidelines as set forth in state law.
The principal shall immediately notify the parents or legal guardian, by telephone, of any student found in violation of this policy. If the parents or legal guardian cannot be reached by phone, the principal shall then notify them of the action by sending a letter within twenty-four (24) hours. Care shall be given to afford due process to all students.
In addition, any student suspended or expelled for being under the influence of, or in possession of, or for use of drugs, in any form, and alcohol, shall be required to have an assessment at a substance abuse treatment center, either private or public, and will follow the recommended treatment plan. Before being admitted back into school, the student must present to the principal a complete report from the substance abuse treatment center to which the student was referred.
A student, who, on his/her own accord, admits to the use of mood-altering chemicals (drugs, i.e., alcohol, marijuana, etc.) shall be referred to the substance abuse prevention education team, and along with parents, shall be offered advice and guidance. No disciplinary action shall be taken against a student under these circumstances.
Students who are observed to have behavior changes by an employee of the school system shall, through referral procedures, be referred to the Student Assistance Team and, along with the parents, will be offered advice and guidance. In these cases, no disciplinary action will be recommended.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION/EDUCATION
It is becoming increasingly apparent that young people using drugs are not making the intellectual gains they should and are not developing the coping skills they need.
While the school system is not responsible for the use and abuse of mood-altering chemicals by students, the School Board recognizes and accepts responsibility to offer assistance to those in need. It is not the intent of the school system to punish students who are harmfully involved with drugs, but rather to recognize it as an illness and to refer those students to proper treatment resources for rehabilitation.
The school system is committed to educating students, parents and the community about the reality of drug abuse and sources of assistance. Consequently, the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board has initiated the Student Assistance Team program in the schools. The Student Assistance Teams will be responsible for implementing the school prevention/intervention program. The school drug team will work with students and other groups and will refer students who are harmfully involved with alcohol and drugs for proper treatment.
STUDENT OFFENSES AND DISCIPLINE
State law mandates that teachers and other school employees report suspected substance abuse in school. These cases shall be reported to the principal and the Student Assistance Team coordinator in the school. The principal must report each case of possession, distributing, sales or manufacturing to the proper law enforcement authority. The student must be referred to the Student Assistance Team, who shall evaluate the case and report their findings along with the recommendation for treatment, counseling or other appropriate action. It is intended that as a result of such reporting the students attending school shall not be exposed to alcohol and other drug abuse while on campus. "Student" shall mean any person physically on campus, whether a student or a non-student.
It shall not be the intention of the school system to punish students for drug abuse problems, but rather to refer those who may be harmfully involved for proper treatment. Parents are to be informed when such problems arise.
REFERRAL OF STUDENT REQUIRED
Any student arrested for possession of, or intentional distribution of, or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property shall be referred by the school principal or his/her designee, within five (5) days after such arrest, for testing or screening by a qualified medical professional for evidence of abuse of alcohol, illegal narcotics, drugs, or other controlled dangerous substances.
If evidence of abuse is found, the principal or his/her designee shall refer the student to an alcohol and drug abuse treatment professional chosen by the student’s parent or legal guardian. If it is determined by the professional that the student needs treatment, and if the student agrees to cooperate in the recommended treatment as certified in writing by the medical professional, such documentation may be used to initiate reopening the student’s disciplinary case. The School Board shall take into consideration the student’s agreement to receive treatment as a positive factor in the final decision relative to any final disciplinary action.
DRUG FREE ZONES
It is unlawful for anyone to use, distribute, be under the influence of, manufacture or possess any controlled substances as defined by statute on or around school property or an area within 2,000 feet of any property used for school purposes by any school, or on a school bus. These areas shall be designated as Drug Free Zones. The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies, and the Louisiana Department of Education, shall designate and mark Drug Free Zones which surround all schools and school property.
Revised: August 19, 2021
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403.1, 17:405, 17:416, 40:961, 40:962, 40:963, 40:964, 40:966, 40:967, 40:968, 40:969, 40:970, 40:971, 40:971.1
Board minutes, 12-14-89, 12-16-10, 8-19-21
Jefferson Davis Parish School Board