| Stow-Munroe Falls City School District |
| Bylaws & Policies |
5530.02 - STUDENT CHEMICAL ABUSE
The Board of Education acknowledges the illness termed chemical dependency, and it recognizes that it must share these concerns with the family and students involved. The Board's intention is to create an atmosphere of openness and understanding. It should then be the parents' and students' responsibilities to seek qualified counsel and inform the school of what corrective action is being taken; and the school's responsibility to support the family in this endeavor. Should the student and family fail to seek voluntary help, and should the concerns persist, appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken:
| A. | If the student is in possession of, or is found to have used any form of prohibited chemical or drug while on the school premises, the student is in violation of school regulations and punishment will occur as provided in the Code of Student Conduct. | |
| B. | Upon further counseling, the student may be recommended for a remedial course of action. |
Student Chemical Dependency
The Board of Education also recognizes that chemical dependency is an illness often preceded by misuse and abuse. Because the Board of Education wishes to intervene early in the disease process, contact with students and/or employees, manifesting signs of misuse or abuse will be made to both educate and aid them should they need help.
Initial contact will be made after a referral source alerts the staff. Referrals come from a multiplicity of sources demonstrating concern - parents, teachers, friends, concerned students, administration, law enforcement, courts, student services personnel, and external agency personnel.
Referral sources will remain confidential until after initial contact is made with the student and parents or guardian.
The District believes that a student successfully addressing harmful involvement with chemicals, may continue in the regular school setting according to a plan developed by the school.
When a student is recommended for evaluation, all information will be kept confidential and shared only with involved staff and the student's parents or guardian.
The following procedure is recommended when a referral is received:
| A. | The staff member will contact the student for an initial interview of one (1) or more sessions. The staff member may also contact other concerned persons at this time to confirm or amplify the data received. | |
| B. | After the initial interview, the staff member will inform the principal of the recommended course of action for the student which might be one or more of the following: |
| 1. | In-patient treatment - needs intervention. | ||
| 2. | Out-patient treatment - may need intervention. | ||
| 3. | Referral to agency and/or individual counseling. | ||
| 4. | School intervention plan. | ||
| 5. | No problem, no immediate concern. |
| C. | The staff member will then contact the student's parent or guardian. |
| 1. | Inform them of the recommendation and solicit their active support for the recommendations. | ||
| 2. | Recommend contact with existing supporting groups as appropriate within the school and/or community. |
In cases where neither the student, nor the parents will cooperate in taking steps to intervene in a student's harmful involvement with chemicals, the student's position in school is in jeopardy. The case will be reviewed and suitable action will be taken on an individual basis.
Some students may have a parent, guardian, or significant person who has a chemical problem; help is also available to those students.
Students who choose not to use chemicals may wish the aid of the staff in supporting their decision. Such support is available.