Substance and Alcohol Abuse - KSD Policy 3620

The Board recognizes that use of alcohol and drugs is a serious problem and that the presence of drugs in school is detrimental to the educational environment and harmful to the health, safety and welfare of students and staff. It is the desire of the District to help those in need of alcohol and drug intervention and at the same time to protect others that are affected by the presence of alcohol and drugs and to enforce the policies of the District relating to use, possession or being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, as that term is defined in statute (I.C. § 37-2732C). It is the philosophy of the District that the District will help those who desire to help themselves.

The District’s desire is to create an environment where students feel safe from the many harmful influences that are prevalent in our society. For those students that come forward and voluntarily disclose using and/or being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while on school property or at a school function, prior to the District having reasonable suspicion, the District will provide counseling to any such student and make recommendations for referral to appropriate agencies for screening and assessment. The parent or legal guardian of the student will be immediately notified and the District will cooperate with and work with the parent in the establishment of a plan to assist the student in whatever means are deemed necessary and appropriate. Only persons on a “need to know” basis may receive information regarding a voluntary disclosure, except when deemed reasonably necessary to protect the health and safety of others. The mere fact that a student previously disclosed use of alcohol or controlled substances, in and of itself, shall not establish reasonable suspicion at a later date.

If the District has reasonable suspicion (based upon reliable information received or the personal observations of staff) to believe that a student is using or is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and the student has not voluntarily disclosed such use or influence, the District may take whatever action deemed appropriate, including but not limited to, notifying the parent or legal guardian and notifying local law enforcement, suspension and/or expulsion. The following shall be used as a guide in determining what procedures may be followed when this occurs, however, the specific procedure may, in large part, depend upon the circumstances in each case:

1. Upon reasonable suspicion, the student will be asked if he/she has used and/or is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs;
2. If the student admits to the use, the student’s parent/legal guardian will be immediately called;
3. The student will be asked to reveal the circumstances involving the use of alcohol and/or drugs and asked if any other students were involved;
4. Law enforcement will be called when deemed appropriate.
5. The student will be immediately suspended from school, and depending upon the circumstances, may be suspended for up to twenty (20) days and/or recommended for expulsion.
6. As a condition of readmission, the student and parent will agree to undergo assessment and counseling for alcohol and/or drug use. The District will provide counseling services and any other services available to the student and/or the student’s parents.    
7. If the student does not admit to the use of alcohol and/or drugs and the staff member(s) in charge, after talking to the student, still believes that the student used or was/is under the use or influence of alcohol and/or drugs, an investigation will be conducted, which may include a search of the student’s locker, car, desk or any other school property used by the student may be subject to search. In addition, law enforcement will be called immediately as will be the parent/guardian. The student will be suspended from school pending an investigation. If the investigation shows that, more likely than not, the student used or was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, a recommendation for expulsion will be made to the Board of Trustees.
8. The student will be entitled to full due process prior to being expelled from school. As a condition of readmission, the Board may require that the student undergo assessment and counseling for alcohol and/or drug use.

The District shall provide written annual notification of the voluntary disclosure provisions of this policy as well as counseling availability and any other pertinent information in the student handbook or other reasonable means.

Legal Reference:
I.C. § 33-210 Students using or under the influence of controlled substances.

Policy History:
Adopted on: April 8, 2003
Revised on: