Students AP 353: Alcohol, Restricted and Illicit Drugs Use

Background

The District in co-operation with families, community and law enforcement agencies, has a responsibility to:

• Educate students in regards to alcohol, cannabis, and drug abuse; and
• Ensure that students who possess, are under the influence of, or traffic in alcohol/cannabis/drugs while under school supervision, receive appropriate consequences.

Procedures

1. Principals shall ensure that school educational programs (CALM, health, science) include components designed to increase student knowledge of facts relating to controlled substances including alcohol and cannabis. Other programs may be introduced to support educational programs such as, but not limited to the D.A.R.E. program and programs developed by AADAC.
2. The District will co-operate with families, community and provincial agencies in the provision of counseling and rehabilitative programs for the students who use and abuse drugs.
3. Students will not be permitted to remain on school property while under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or illicit drugs.
4. Misuse of controlled substances is illegal and will not be permitted on school property. If this occurs the RCMP will be contacted. The decision to lay charges rests with the RCMP.
5. Parent/guardians will be notified of all school-related alcohol/cannabis/drug violations.
6. A conference will be held with parents/guardians following any student suspension from school resulting from a violation of this Administrative Procedure.
7. Principals will suspend students from school for a period of up to five days if a student is found on the premises under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, restricted and illicit drugs and/ or is unfit for instruction. Parents/guardians will be notified (preferably by phone call followed up by a letter), forthwith of the suspension and the reasons for the suspension.
8. Principals may suspend and may make a recommendation for expulsion should a student, on a subsequent time be unfit for instruction.
9. Principals, who find students in possession of alcohol, cannabis or drugs while at school or during a school function, may make a recommendation for expulsion.
10. Illegal substances will be confiscated and turned over to the police. (Confiscation is to take place in the presence of a witness.)
11. On return to school students and parents/guardians must meet with the Principal or designate.