443.4 - Student Alcohol and Other Drug Policy
443.4
STUDENT ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG POLICY
No student of the Appleton Area School District (AASD) shall knowingly possess, use, distribute, or be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or any other mood altering chemicals while on school property or during school-sponsored activities. The possession, use, or distribution of drug paraphernalia, look-alike drugs, non-alcoholic beer/beverages, or any substance misrepresented as alcohol or a mood-altering drug is also prohibited on school property or during school-sponsored activities.
A student may be required to submit to a breath test to determine the presence of alcohol if a school official or law enforcement officer has reasonable suspicion that the student is under the influence of alcohol. Violation of this policy or refusal to submit to a required breath test for the presence of alcohol will result in disciplinary action.
Any student who violates this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action. Students expelled for drug related incidents may be required to submit to intermittent drug testing as a condition of early reinstatement if the Board of Education orders such testing. The testing would occur through the term of the expulsion order.
Students who violate this policy may also be subject to drug testing if the parents, student and district agree in writing. This agreement will include a specific protocol including the timeline for when testing will be discontinued.
Use of prescription or over-the-counter medication in compliance with Board Policy 453.4 (Medication Administration to Students) shall not be considered a violation of this policy. Secondary distribution of any prescribed drug on school property or during school-sponsored activities is prohibited.
Smoking and the use of other tobacco or nicotine products (including electronic cigarettes containing nicotine) by students are also prohibited on all school property as stated in Board Policy 831 (Smoking and Tobacco Use).
This policy shall be published annually and distributed to all students of the District. In addition, informational sessions shall be planned which inform students and staff about the dangers of alcohol and other drug abuse; any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and student assistance programs; and the consequences that may be imposed upon students for drug violations occurring at school.
Cross References:
Student Records, 347
Medication Administration to Students, 453.4
Smoking and Tobacco Use, 831
Drug Free Workplace 522.1
Employee Alcohol and Other Drug 522.11
Legal References:
Wisconsin State Statutes Sections 48.396, 48.981, 118.126(2), 118.127(2), 118.257(2), 118.127(2), 118.45, 120.12, 120.13(1), 134.66(1)(f), 125.02 (8m), 125.07, 125.09 (2) and Chapter 961
Adoption Date: January 27, 2003
Amended Date: January 13, 2014
443.4-Rule
STUDENT ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG POLICY
Procedures
Philosophy
The Board of Education recognizes the need to maintain a safe, healthy, drug and alcohol free environment for all students. Student chemical use impairs healthy physical, mental, and emotional development and causes problems, which interfere with the learning process. Chemical use can be a primary cause of problems, it can aggravate pre-existing problems, and/or it can develop into the illness of chemical dependency.
The Board recognizes that the causes and problems associated with alcohol and other drug abuse are complex and need to be treated in the larger context of the individual’s family, community, and peer group.
The Board further recognizes that chemical dependency and the problems associated with chemical use can be successfully treated. Therefore, the District will work with the student, student’s family, and all segments of the community to ensure that help is available whenever drug and alcohol use affects student performance. However, the student will continue to be held accountable for conduct that violates this policy. Any action taken regarding alcohol/drug-related problems should protect not only the student’s best interest, but also the best interests of the school community.
The Mission of the AASD Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) program is to provide students and employees with quality prevention and early intervention services that will foster healthy lifestyles, reduce AODA related problems, and enhance the overall learning process.
- Student Assistance Program (SAP)
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is coordinated by the Student Services Department. Each school has staff available to address problems caused by student chemical use or chemical use in the family. Counselors and specially trained SAP staff members provide education, early identification, problem screening, intervention, in-school support groups and referral to community agencies.
Students can self-refer to the SAP, or staff members, parents, friends, and community representatives can refer them. Students and their family members are encouraged to contact the building SAP coordinator, guidance counselor, or other student services staff for help with any alcohol and other drug-related problems.
All staff are responsible for observing student behavior, holding students accountable, and referring students to the SAP when personal problems may be affecting performance. SAP staff will collaborate with the Building Consultation Team (BCT) to assess the extent to which AODA is causing problems.
- Prevention and Education
Age-appropriate, developmentally based drug and alcohol education and prevention curricula and programs shall be provided for all students from early childhood through grade 12. This may be accomplished through separate lessons or through curriculum infusion to enrich what the teacher is already teaching. These prevention activities will also help teachers identify students who are at-risk of developing AODA problems. These students should be referred to the SAP for additional assistance as appropriate.
The District shall promote and encourage peer programs as a primary component of prevention and early intervention. It is recognized that peers are often more effective than adults in changing and influencing student behaviors.
Staff shall be provided regular staff development training to recognize student AODA behavioral patterns, express care and concern to troubled students, and to make effective referrals to the Student Assistance Program.
- Family Involvement
t is recognized that chemical abuse can cause serious problems for all members of the family. The District will offer AODA parenting workshops and other forums for parents to network and support one another. Every effort will also be made to assist family members with their own needs when appropriate in the course of the SAP referral.
Parents or guardians will be notified immediately by an administrator if a student knowingly possesses, uses, distributes, or is under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or any other mood altering chemicals while on school property or during school-sponsored activities. In other cases where a student is involved in the SAP, the parents or guardians will be notified as soon as practical and in accordance with confidentiality guidelines. It is recognized that parent involvement is key to the successful outcome of SAP referrals.
Parents are expected to follow through with all recommendations made during the course of a SAP referral. The family’s insurance and ability to pay will be considered when suggested SAP referrals are made to outside agencies.
- Confidentiality Wisconsin Statute 118.126, Privileged Communications, states that a school psychologist, counselor, social worker, nurse, or any teacher or administrator who engages in alcohol or other drug abuse program activities shall keep confidential SAP information received from a student that the student or another student is using or experiencing problems from the use of alcohol or other drugs. This Statute also indicates that such information may be disclosed: a) if the student consents in writing; b) if in the professional’s judgment there is serious and imminent danger to any person; or c) if the professional becomes aware of information which constitutes abuse or neglect under Section 48.981 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Staff members may share confidential information with members of the Building Consultation Team (BCT) and other student services staff to ensure appropriate coordination of services.
Police officers’ records relating to the non-school related use, possession, or distribution of alcohol or a controlled substance by a student may only be used by the District for the purpose of providing alcohol and other drug abuse programming for enrolled students and not for disciplinary action.
Records of student participation in the SAP will not be included in the student’s cumulative file. However, incidents resulting in disciplinary action by the District will be maintained in the student’s behavioral file in accordance with the Board Policy 347 (Student Records).
- Staff Immunity
staff member who in good faith discloses or fails to disclose information as described above is immune from civil liability for such acts or omissions. This immunity does not apply to information required to be reported under section 48.981 of the Wisconsin Law Regarding Abused and Neglected Children, Wisconsin State Statute 118.126(2).
A school administrator, student services professional, or teacher is not liable for referring a student to the police for suspected alcohol or other drug use, possession, or distribution or for removing the student from school or a school-sponsored activity for the same suspicion.
- Student Searches
Principals, designated employees and law enforcement officers have the authority to conduct reasonable searches of students and student property including lockers, in the event that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the student has violated a law or school rule.
- Breath Testing for Alcohol
A student may be required to submit to a breath test to determine the presence of alcohol if a school official or law enforcement officer has reasonable suspicion that the student is under the influence of alcohol in violation of this policy. A law enforcement officer will administer the breath testing with a screening device that is approved by the Department of Transportation.
- Other Drug Testing
xpelled students may be required to submit to intermittent drug testing as a condition of early reinstatement if the Board of Education orders such testing. The testing would occur through the term of the expulsion order. A signed agreement by the parent, student and district is required for drug testing to occur.
Students may be subject to drug testing if the parents and district agree in writing. This agreement will include a specific protocol including the timeline for when testing will be discontinued.
Testing of students and the subsequent analysis will be conducted by a third party through a contractual agreement with the District. The parents or adult student may be responsible for costs associated with the testing. All testing results will be considered a confidential record and will not be disclosed except as authorized by the parent and student, or as legally required.
Cross References:
Student Records, 347-Rule
Medication Administration to Students, 453.4-Rule
Employee Alcohol and Other Drug 522.11-Rule
Smoking and Tobacco Use, 831-Rule
Legal References:
Wisconsin State Statutes 48.396, 48.981, 118.126(2), 118.127(2), 118.257(2), 118.127(2), 118.45, 120.12, 120.13(1), 125.02 (8m), 134.66(1)(f), 125.07, 125.09(2) and Chapter 961
Adoption Date: January 27, 2003
Amended Date: January 13, 2014
- Series 400: Students
