P5605 SUBSTANCE ABUSE INTERVENTION

BOARD POLICY:

When a pupil exhibits behaviors that may indicate the use of any illegal drug--alcoholic beverages, drugs, or other controlled substances--the school will document such behaviors, confront the pupil and his/her lawful custodian(s) with the documented evidence, and recommend: (1) the pupil and lawful custodian(s) enter into a contract with the school to modify the inappropriate behaviors; (2) the pupil be considered for enrollment in a diversion program in lieu of consideration for formal treatment; or (3) the pupil can be taken for an intake evaluation or assessment by a qualified alcohol and drug treatment agency.

Administrative Implemental Procedures:

1.      Each school should have in place a formal procedure for identifying possible substance abuse related behaviors and presenting such evidence to the pupil and the pupil's lawful custodian(s). Copies of the intervention procedure are available in the Safe and Drug-Free Schools office.

2.      Documented evidence of the pupil's behaviors and physical characteristics should clearly show that the pupil's demeanor is not consistent with that considered appropriate for young people of the same age.

3.      Observations of the pupil's behaviors and physical characteristics can and should be made and documented by any school employee who is both willing and able to do so according to the formal procedure employed by the school.

4.      A Safe and Drug-Free Schools specialist or the school's intervention team may implement interventions with the family, based on the appropriate documentation.

5.      School personnel and other adults involved in the intervention will collectively determine which response option is most appropriate for the pupil in question. The recommendation will be for a school contract, a diversion program, or an assessment for potential chemical dependency as outlined below:

a.       For a school contract, expectations appropriate to the pupil's specific situation will be listed, with consequences identified for failure to meet the agreement and methods for measuring compliance. The school will designate the school person(s) responsible for establishing, coordinating, and monitoring the contract.

b.      A diversion program provides information, which can alter potentially self-destructive perceptions and behaviors in a positive direction without involving the pupil and his/her family in a formal treatment process for chemical dependency. A diversion program can be administered by a qualified agency or under the auspices of the school according to recognized criteria for such a program. A diversion program would be appropriate only for persons who may be experimenting with substances but who are not chemically dependent. Consequences for failure to comply will be identified.

c.       The school will designate the school person(s) responsible for monitoring the diversion process. This would include asking the lawful custodian(s) to sign a release of information form to be presented to the agency providing the diversion services. The school would then monitor the pupil's participation in and completion of the diversion program, as well as be knowledgeable of the agency's recommendations.

d.      It is appropriate that an assessment for potential chemical dependency be administered by a qualified treatment agency which is intended to determine specifically if the observed behaviors are directly related to drug and/or alcohol abuse. Such an assessment may or may not lead to formal treatment. School personnel are not trained, nor is it appropriate they be trained, to conduct the intake evaluation or assessment. It is appropriate for the school to provide a list of resources available for the consideration of the lawful custodian(s) in their selection of service provider. By providing more than one possible selection choice, the school district is not to be considered financially liable for the intake interview/assessment nor for any services subsequently recommended. As above, school personnel will develop consequences appropriate to the situation, request a release of information be signed, and assign staff personnel to monitor the pupil's progress.

Administrative Responsibility: Safe and Drug-Free Schools

Latest Revision Date: March 1999

Previous Revision Date: July 1991 P5605