Students » Alcohol and Drug Use Policy

Alcohol and Drug Use Policy

LASALLE PARISH STUDENT ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE POLICY

(Revised October 2008)

The LaSalle Parish School Board is dedicated to providing a drug-free learning environment for the students attending public schools.  The Board directs that each student shall be specifically prohibited from being under the influence of, bringing on, consuming, or having in his/her possession on a school bus, on school premises, or at a school function away from the school, any alcoholic beverages, intoxicating liquors, narcotic drugs, prescription medications, marijuana, inhalants, imitation or counterfeit controlled substances, or other controlled substance as defined by state statutes, unless dispensed by a licensed physician as allowed by law.  The Superintendent shall be responsible for maintaining appropriate procedures for the detection of alcohol, drugs, or any imitation or other controlled substances.  Any student found in violation of the above shall be suspended and recommended for expulsion by the principal.

Any violations of criminal laws, state or federal, committed on school property shall be prosecuted as provided by law.  School officials, teachers and/or Board employees shall report all violators to the principal, who in turn, shall notify the proper law enforcement agency and shall cooperate with the prosecuting attorney's office in the prosecution of charges.  Any student who distributes, sells or dispenses in any manner or form whatsoever a controlled dangerous substance as defined by state law to another student or anyone else while on the school premises shall be expelled pursuant to the provisions and guidelines as set forth in state law.

The principal shall immediately notify the parents or guardian, by telephone, of any student found in violation of this policy.  If the parents or guardian cannot be reached by phone, the principal shall then notify them of the action by sending a letter within twenty-four (24) hours.  Care shall be given to afford due process to all students.

REPORTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

State law mandates that teachers and other school employees report suspected substance abuse in school.  These cases shall be reported to the principal and the Substance Abuse Prevention Team.  The principal must report each case of possession, distributing, sales or manufacturing to the proper law enforcement authority.  Reports shall also be made to the appropriate person at each school, who shall investigate, research, and report on instances or reports of possession of prohibited substances or beverages.  Designated personnel shall report its findings along with the recommendation for treatment, counseling or other appropriate action to the principal. 

DRUG-FREE ZONES

It is unlawful for anyone to use, distribute, be under the influence of, manufacture or possess any controlled substances as defined by statute on or around school property or an area within 1000 feet of any property used for school purposes by any school, or on a school bus.  These areas shall be designated as Drug-Free Zones.  The School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies, and the Louisiana Department of Education, shall designate and mark Drug-Free Zones which surround all schools and school property.

PROCEDURES

Possession of Alcohol

  1. Investigate.  (Take statements from all parties involved.)

  2. Notify appropriate law enforcement. 

  3. Notify the following:  Immediate supervisor, Superintendent, and Drug-Free Coordinator/Counselor who will notify Substance Abuse Prevention Team.

  4. Notify parents (If parents cannot be reached by a reasonable attempt, proceed to next step).  Document attempts to reach parents.

  5. Suspend and/or recommend expulsion.

  6. Refer to a substance abuse clinic and/or counselor for assessment and counseling.

  7. Re-evaluate student’s case prior to re-admittance.

  8. Complete and file documented steps.

Being Under the Influence of Alcohol, Controlled Dangerous Substances or Mood Altering Chemicals

First Offense:

  1. Investigate.  (Take statements from all parties involved.)

  2. Refer to the criteria for determining under the influence **below.

  3. If it is determined that the student is under the influence of either drugs or alcohol notify the law enforcement agencies.

  4. Notify the following:  Immediate supervisor, Superintendent, Drug-Free Coordinator/Counselor who will notify Substance Abuse Prevention Team.

  5. Notify parents.  (If parents cannot be reached by a reasonable attempt, proceed to next step.)  Document attempts to reach parents. 

  6. Student will be tested at either local law enforcement agency or hospital. 

  7. Suspend student pending Substance Abuse Prevention Team meeting. 

  8. Substance Abuse Prevention Team will determine outcome and final disciplinary disposition.

  9. Refer to substance abuse clinic and/or counselor for assessment and counseling.

  10. Re-evaluate student’s case prior to re-admittance.

  11. Refer to the parish Drug-Free Counselor for follow-up upon re-admittance.

  12. Complete and file documented steps.

Second Offense:

  1. Same steps 1-6 above.

  2. Refer to Substance Abuse Prevention Team.

  3. Suspend and/or recommend expulsion.

  4. Refer to substance abuse clinic and/or counselor for assessment and counseling. 

  5. Re-evaluate student’s case prior to re-admittance.

  6. Refer to the parish Drug-Free Counselor for follow-up upon re-admittance.

  7. Complete and file documented steps

**Criteria for determining under the influence:

If a student demonstrates any one of the following he/she may be determined to be under the influence:

  1. Odor of alcohol on the person.

  2. Slurred speech.

  3. Difficulty with coordination, balance, or walking.

  4. Inability to talk coherently or make sensible sentences.  

  5. Agitated or violent behavior.

  6. Lapses into unconsciousness.

  7. Inability to focus physically or mentally on a simple task such as looking at a face or hand or remembering a 2-3 digit number for 30 seconds.

  8. Severe signs of physical distress: difficulty breathing, chest pains.

  9. Dilated pupils.

All testing and/or treatment will be at parent's expense.  Refusal to be tested shall automatically indicate guilt and shall be dealt with as such.

Possession, Distribution, Intent to Distribute, or Knowledge of Either, of Controlled Dangerous Substances (LA. R.S. 17:416)

Any student, sixteen (16) years of age or older found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of, or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school event shall be expelled from school for a minimum of twenty‑four (24) calendar months.

Any student who is under sixteen (16) years of age and grades six through twelve and who is found guilty of possession of, knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property on a school bus, or at a school event shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of twelve (12) calendar months.

Any case involving a student in kindergarten through grade five found guilty of possession of, knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school event shall be referred to the School Board for a recommendation of action from the Superintendent.

Uses/Possesses Tobacco and/or Lighter :

            Refer to Student Code of Conduct for Administrative Action.

Possession of Counterfeit Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia:

            Refer to Student Code of Conduct for Administrative Action.

DEFINITIONS

A.        ALCOHOL:  Any beverage of high or low alcoholic content as defined by Louisiana laws relating to the sale of alcoholic beverage; any medication preparation or solution containing alcohol when used or possessed for use as a mood or mind altering substance.

B.        DRUG:  Any Controlled Dangerous Substance listed in Schedule I, II, III, IV, and V as provided by La. Rev. Sat. Ann. '40:964 and as amended; also, any chemical substance used as to produce mind or behavior altering effects when inhaled, ingested, or injected; and, any such substance, although not actually so used, when possessed with the intent to use or distribute the substance to produce the said effects; including, but not limited to, "Rush", aerosol sprays, liquid paper and thinner, paints, varnishes, Freon, and generally any chemical consumed or inhaled or injected into the body for mind altering properties.

C.        EMPLOYEE:  Any and all School Board personnel, including but not limited to teachers, teacher aides, principal/assistant principals, lunchroom workers, office and janitorial staff, maintenance workers and bus drivers.

D.        POSSESSION:  

            (1) Actual physical possession; 

            (2) constructive possession being either ownership or the presence of circumstances indicating that the drug or alcohol is subject to the student's dominion or control; 

            (3) use or consumption of alcohol or any drug while on school property or at any school‑sponsored event; 

            (4) appearance by a student at a school-­sponsored event or upon school property after having consumed or ingested alcohol or a drug demonstrated by objective manifestations such as breath odor, speech alterations, unsteadiness of gait or posture, or like symptoms of chemical intoxication or by admission of the student.

E.        PRINCIPAL:  Principal of a school or his/her designee.

F.         SCHOOL:  Any and all public schools owned and operated by the LaSalle Parish School Board, or any other Louisiana school system, including but not limited to any public elementary, secondary or any school for the mental or physically handicapped, PM school RDA, or Adult Education.

G.        SCHOOL PROPERTY:  All property used for school purposes, including but not limited to school playgrounds and school buses.

H.        SCHOOL SPONSORED EVENTS:  Any activity under the sponsorship of a LaSalle Parish School.

I.          STUDENT:  Any pupil enrolled in the LaSalle Parish School System or actually attending a LaSalle Parish school although not enrolled.

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403.1, 17:405, 17:416, 40:617.1, 40:961 et seq.

Adopted:  LaSalle Parish School Board – October 6, 2008 Regular Session.