Substance Abuse

ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION/SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
I. PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSE
The Boone Central School District recognizes that the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other illegal drugs is a significant health and social problem. Student tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drug use results in negative effects on behavior, learning, social and physical development.
Because we believe that tobacco, alcohol, and other illegal drug dependency is preceded by misuse, we believe that early intervention in adolescent substance abuse can benefit the student before significant harm or dependency results. Because we believe that we have the obligation to address what we consider to be detrimental influences on student performance, achievement, and development, the following substance abuse/activity participation policy was developed. It is a part of a total effort in discouraging the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other illegal drugs by the young people of our school community.
II. THE POLICY
During the school year, the student shall not use, consume, possess, buy, sell, or give away tobacco, alcohol, or other illegal drugs in any form or in any amount. Neither shall the student attend functions where alcohol or other illegal drugs are made available for the illegal consumption by minors.
III. POLICY DEFINITIONS
The school year will include any portion of an activity season that begins prior to the start of school or continues after the close of the last day of school in the spring.
Retail establishments or the student≠s home are not included in (II) unless an event is held there where alcohol or other illegal drugs are made available for the illegal use by minors.
IV. PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ASSURANCE
Students wishing to participate in the activity program must sign a statement making a commitment to adhere to the substance abuse/activity participation policy as a condition for participation.
Parents of students wishing to participate in the activity program must sign a statement acknowledging receipt of a copy of substance abuse/activity participation policy prior to student participation in the activity program.
V. CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATIONS
LEVEL I: Violation of Tobacco Regulations
After confirmation of a violation at Level I, the student shall lose eligibility to participate in or attend school activities for 15 consecutive days.
LEVEL II: First Violation of Alcohol/Illegal Drug Regulations
After confirmation of a violation at Level II, the student shall lose eligibility to participate in or attend school activities for 30 consecutive days.*
Students may receive a reduction of suspension from 30 to 15 days for successful completion of INSIGHT classes.
LEVEL III: Second Violation of Alcohol/Illegal Drug Regulations
After confirmation of a violation at Level III, the student shall lose eligibility to participate in or attend school activities for 60 consecutive days.*
Students may receive a reduction of suspension from 60 to 30 days for successful completion of an approved drug/alcohol assessment.
LEVEL IV: Third and Subsequent Violation of Alcohol/Illegal Drug Regulations
After confirmation of a violation at Level IV, the student shall lose eligibility to participate in or attend school activities for 90 consecutive days.*
*Activity suspension not completed during a school year will carry over beginning the first day of the next school year. Example: A 30-day suspension imposed with 10 days remaining in the spring would continue again on the first day of the next school year with 20 days remaining in the ineligibility.
VI. REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS
When necessary, reports of violations will be substantiated by a signed statement indicating the nature of the complaint and including all pertinent details such as time, place, exact violation, etc.
Reports of all violations will be written and kept in separate files in the high school administrative office.
VII. PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING REPORTED VIOLATIONS
After receipt of a reported violation as outlined in Part VI, the Principal or Activity Director will:
a. Investigate the alleged violation.
b. Confer with the student and present the student with oral or written evidence of the charges against him/ her.
c. Provide the student with the opportunity to respond to the charges.
d. Provide the parent(s)/guardian(s) notification of the alleged violation and a written copy of the decision regarding any disciplinary action taken.
e. Provide the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) notice of the opportunity to appeal a decision to impose activity suspension
An appeal will be heard directly by the 7-12 Principal and will need to be requested within five days of any decision to suspend.
VIII. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT & CORRESPONDING SUSPENSION REDUCTIONS
The Boone Central S.C.I.P.P. (School & Community Intervention Prevention Program) team members will provide instruction through INSIGHT classes for first offense alcohol/drug violations or for students who would like to voluntarily participate in this educational program. INSIGHT classes will be scheduled outside the regular school day.
Any costs of other substance abuse programs or treatment are the responsibility of the student and will not be considered a financial obligation of the District.
IX. CUMULATION OF LEVEL OFFENSES
Offenses are cumulative and student offenders progress from one level to the next in grades 7 and 8. Students entering grade 9 begin a new period with no prior violations in grades 7 or 8 included.
Offenses are cumulative and student offender≠s progress from one level to another in grades 9 through 12.
If a student commits a second or subsequent violation while under activity suspension, the new term of activity suspension will begin immediately following the prior term of ineligibility.
X. RESTATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The intent of this policy is to provide a meaningful deterrent to adolescent use of tobacco, alcohol, and other illegal drugs. The identification of substance abusers and their referral to appropriate programs will hopefully lessen the negative influences of tobacco, alcohol, and other illegal drugs on our school community.
XI. DEFINITION OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
A. Nebraska High School Activities Association sanctioned activities, including seasonal, conference, district and state competitions:
Football
Basketball
Golf
Cross Country
Wrestling
Speech
Volleyball
One-Act Plays
Track
Instrumental & Vocal Music*
*All choral and instrumental programs are considered activities for purposes of activity suspension.
B. School sponsored clubs and organizations including:
BC-Club
Student Council
One-Act Play
F.C.C.L.A.
Boone Central Choral Clinic
F.B.L.A.
Flag Corps
National Honor Society
F.F.A.
Cheerleaders
Spanish Club
REACH
Class Meetings
Destination Imagination
Swing Choir & other vocal groups
School at the Center
Pep Band & other instrumental groups
Art Club
C. Mid-State Conference Clinics, etc.:
Instrumental Music Clinic
Vocal Music Clinic
Art Show & Competition
Academic Contest
D. Social/other special events under the sponsorship of the school including: Spirit Rally/Dances, Color Day, Jr.-Sr. Prom, Activity Banquets.
XII. EVENTS NOT CONSIDERED AS ≥ACTIVITIES≈ AND NOT INCLUDED IN ACTIVITY SUSPENSION FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE VIOLATIONS:
Career/College Day
A.C.T./S.A.T. or similar testing events
Commencement
Honors Convocation
ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH PL 101-226 DRUG-FREE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Federal legislation (PL 101-226) has posed some specific requirements on public schools with regards to student drug prevention programs. The following meets the requirements of the Federal Government under PL 101-226:
Drug prevention programs of the Boone Central School have as a cornerstone the Quest Prevention Curriculum.
Because we believe that student use of illicit drugs and unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful, we have developed a drug prevention program consisting of education, treatment and disciplinary components.
Student use or possession of illicit drugs or alcohol at school or as a part of school activities is an offense punishable by expulsion from school and referral to law enforcement personnel for prosecution. See Activity Participation/Substance Abuse Policy in the handbook.
As a condition for participation in the activities program, students must refrain from use of illicit drugs, alcohol or tobacco and attendance at functions where alcohol or illegal drugs are illegally provided to minors. Suspension from the activities program is provided for student violators.
Every parent and student is provided a copy of regulations pertaining to illicit drugs and alcohol by means of this student handbook.
Compliance with drug/alcohol regulations is mandatory. Drug and alcohol counseling can be obtained locally or nearby from the following sources:
1. Link, Inc. Norfolk 371-5310
2. Behavior Health Specialists, Inc. Norfolk 371-3140
3. Valley Hope Alcoholism/Drug Treatment Center O≠Neill 336-3747 1-800-544-5101
4. St. Francis Alcoholism/Drug Treatment Center Columbus 563-2727
Grand Island (308) 389-5427
Other sources of assistance for treatment programs can be obtained from the guidance counselors, your local physician, or other sources.