File JICH: Alcohol, Tobacco/Nicotine, and Substance Use by Students

File JICH
Monomoy Regional School District
Alcohol, Tobacco/Nicotine, and Substance Use by Students

 The Monomoy Regional Committee aims to establish a school atmosphere which:

1. Educates students about awareness and understanding of the dangers inherent in the use of drugs and alcohol, including tobacco and/ or nicotine (for example, students should be made aware that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States);
2. Encourages students to take responsibility for their actions; and
3. Supports students and their families in the recognition of possible drug and alcohol use and treatment of student substance abuse.

All members of the Monomoy Regional School District community have the responsibility to conduct themselves in a way that demonstrates respect for all individuals and their rights, including the right to be free from exposure to, or the influences of, dangerous substances. Therefore, the use of alcohol, tobacco and/ or nicotine, marijuana, and any use of controlled substances without a valid medical prescription is prohibited during all curricular, extracurricular, school-sponsored, or school-related activity (both on and off campus), including sporting events and school provided transportation. Students are expected to arrive to all school-related activities free from the influences of all substances as described in this policy.

Substance abuse is a community-wide problem and must involve the community as a whole, including parents/ guardians, students, teachers, and other school staff members, if we are to be successful in educating, preventing, and treating substance use and related problems . Given the intent of the Monomoy Regional School District to protect the welfare and safety of our individual students and our school community, behaviors that could be the result of substance abuse will be openly confronted in order that all students may benefit from a drug-free environment.

Student Discipline

Individual schools will develop and publicize an appropriate discipline code for their specific grade levels. Each handbook shall contain procedures to ensure that no student shall be suspended or excluded from school for any reason without being afforded due process of law. In addition, each handbook shall make it clear to students and parents that school lockers and desks are the property of the Monomoy Regional School District and that students have no expectation of privacy in their lockers or desks, which may be opened by school personnel at any time. Additionally, the handbook should explain that all schools may be subjected to canine searches at the discretion of school administrators.

Students in possession of a controlled substance as defined by M.G.L. Chapter 94C, including, but not limited to, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, may be subject to expulsion from the school, per M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 37H. In addition to possible expulsion, students determined to be distributing illegal drugs on school property or at any school-related function will be referred to law enforcement.

When determining possible alcohol use or intoxication by a student at a school-related function the safety of the student is the primary concern. The purpose of having breath alcohol testing procedures available is as a deterrent to alcohol use.

Procedures relating to alcohol use at school-related events are as follows:

A. Administrators may determine possible student alcohol use by observing one or more of the following indicators:

     a.  Slurred speech;

     b.  Unsteady gait;

     c.  Impaired motor control;

     d.  Smell of intoxicating liquor on breath, clothing or person;

     e.  Vomiting; and

     f.   Evidence of possession of alcohol.

B. If, based on one or more of the above indicators, the administrator determines that a student is intoxicated or has used alcohol:

     a.  The student’s parent/ guardian will be notified and requested to take the student home;

     b.  Emergency help will be called if student is assessed to be at risk for alcohol poisoning or in need of medical assistance; and

     c.  The police will be notified.

C.  If needed, the police will administer a breathalyzer test.

     a.  If the test is negative:

           i. The student will be allowed to resume activity if the administrator does not suspect the use of other drugs; and

          ii. His/her parent/guardian will be notified that the breathalyzer test was administered.

     b.  If a student who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or who is suspected of having consumed alcohol refuses the test:

         i. The administrator will notify parents to pick up the student and detain the student until parent's arrival;

        ii. The administrators will consider the refusal as comparable to being under the influence and will discipline the student in accordance with the school handbook; and

        iii.  Disciplinary action will be taken as indicated in the school handbook.

D.     Emergency help will be called if student is assessed to be at risk for alcohol poisoning or in need of medical assistance.

E.      If any student suspected of intoxication leaves the scene against the school official's request:

     a.  Police Department will be contacted immediately;

     b.  Parent/Guardian will be notified; and

     c.  Disciplinary action for intoxication will be taken as indicated in the school handbook.

Student Athletes

Students representing MRSD athletic teams are held to a high standard of conduct. The conduct of student athletes is governed by the rules established by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (“MIAA”) in addition to the rules established in their school handbooks, which provide that student athletes will be suspended from the team for an initial violation of the MIAA Chemical Health Rule, which provides as follows:\

“From the earliest fall practice date, to the conclusion of the academic year or final athletic event (whichever is latest), a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use, consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product; marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance. This policy includes products such as “NA or near beer”. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor.” MIAA Rule 62.1.

Pursuant to the school handbooks, the suspension will generally last for 12 weeks, but can, in some circumstances, be reduced to 6 weeks if the student athlete in question is in a school approved Healthy Choices program. For each violation of this policy, the student's name and information surrounding the incident will be given to the Principal, who will consider this as evidence that the student has violated this policy. The Principal may remove the student from the team for up to one year for violating this policy.

Verbal Screening Tool

The Monomoy Regional School District will utilize, in accordance with law, a verbal screening tool approved by DESE to screen students for substance abuse disorders. The tool shall be administered by trained staff on an annual basis at grades 7 and 9, and parents/ guardians shall be notified about the verbal screening prior to the beginning of these years. Parents/guardians shall have the right to opt out of the screening by providing written notice at any time prior to, or during, the screening.

All statements made by a student during a screening are confidential and shall not be disclosed without parent/ guardian consent, unless disclosure is otherwise required by state law or an immediate medical emergency. De-identified results shall be reported to the Department of Public Health within 90 days of the completion of the screening process.

This policy shall be posted on the Monomoy Regional School District website and notice shall be provided to all students and parents/ guardians of this policy in accordance with state law. The Monomoy Regional School District shall file a copy of this policy with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

LEGAL REF: M.G.L  c. 71, §§ 37H, 37H1/2, 37H3/4, 96.

Adopted: 3/27/2013
Revised: 6/27/2018