| Medina City Schools |
| Bylaws & Policies |
5530 - DRUG PREVENTION
Philosophy Statement
The School District's Board of Education recognizes that student use of alcohol or any other illicit drug is wrong and harmful. The Board further recognizes that illicit drug use is a serious problem with legal, physical and social implications for the entire community. As the educational institution in the community of Medina, the School District is committed to striving to prevent drug use through education and to assisting students suffering from drug use by intervention/referral and support/guidance. However, it is important to recognize that the School District does not provide treatment for alcohol/drug problems; diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare are processes that require trained specialists, as is the case with the treatment of any other illness. The District is dedicated to protecting the rights of students to engage in learning in a safe and healthy environment, free from exposure to people under the influence of illicit drugs or exposure to illegal drug activities.
Policy Statement
The Board recognizes that the misuse of drugs is a serious problem with legal, physical, and social implications for the whole school community.
As the educational institution of this community, the schools should strive to prevent drug abuse and help drug abusers by educational means.
For purposes of this policy, "drugs" shall mean:
| A. | all dangerous controlled substances as so designated and prohibited by Ohio statute; | |
| B. | all chemicals which release toxic vapors; | |
| C. | all alcoholic beverages; | |
| D. | any prescription or patent drug, except those for which permission to use in school has been granted pursuant to Board policy; | |
| E. | anabolic steroids; | |
| F. | any substance that is a "look-alike" to any of the above; | |
| G. | mood-altering drugs. |
The Board prohibits the use, possession, concealment, or distribution of any of the aforementioned drugs or any drug-related paraphernalia as the term is defined by law on school grounds, on school vehicles, or at any school-sponsored event.
It further establishes a drug-free zone within 1000 feet of any facility use by the District for educational purposes
The Superintendent shall prepare guidelines for the identification, amelioration, and regulation of drug use in the schools. Such guidelines shall:
| A. | emphasize the prevention of drug use; | |
| B. | provide for a comprehensive, age-appropriate, developmentally-based drug and alcohol education and prevention program which: |
| 1. | addresses the legal, social, psychological, and health consequences of drug and alcohol use; | ||
| 2. | provides information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use illicitly drugs and alcohol; | ||
| 3. | assists students to develop skills to make responsible decisions about substance abuse and other important health issues; | ||
| 4. | meets the minimal objectives as stated in the essential performance objectives for health education as established by the State Department of Education. |
| C. | include a statement to students that the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful; | |
| D. | provide standards of conduct that are applicable to all students and which clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicitly drugs and alcohol by students on school premises or as a part of any school activity; | |
| E. | include a clear statement that disciplinary sanctions, up to and including expulsion, and/or referral for prosecution, will be impose on students who violate the school standards of conduct and a description of those sanctions; | |
| The sanctions may include, together with punitive action, voluntary referral to appropriate persons or agencies for screening and assessment. Such referral may only be made to qualified and properly, licensed individuals or programs. | ||
| F. | provide information about any drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation and reentry programs available to students and provide procedures to direct students and their parents to the appropriate programs; | |
| G. | require that all parents and students be given a copy of the standards of conduct regarding the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students; | |
| H. | require the notification to parents and students that compliance with the standards of conduct is mandatory; | |
| I. | provide a biennial review of the School District's program to determine its effectiveness and implement changes as needed and to ensure that disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced; | |
| J. | provide for a student assistance program which includes guidelines for prevention activities and programs, for referrals of students to outside treatment providers and for cooperative follow-up after treatment has been provided; | |
| K. | establish means for dealing with students suspected of drug use or suspected of possessing or distributing drugs in school and ensure that the District's Policy 5771 and AG 5771 on Search and Seizure, Policy 5610 and AG 5610 Suspension and Expulsion, and Policy 5610.01 and AG 5610.01 Permanent Exclusion and complied with fully. |
The Superintendent shall establish administrative guidelines necessary to implement this policy. Such guidelines shall ensure that the proper notice regarding the use of anabolic steroids is posted in each of the District's locker rooms use by students in grades 7-12.
R.C. 2925.37, 3313.60(E), 3313.661. 3313.662, 3313.752, 3313.95, 3319.012
Public Law 101 - (Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986
20 U.S.C. 3171 et seq.
20 U.S.C. 3224A
Revised 10/20/97