533.3 Chemical/Controlled Substances Policy for Students

CHEMICAL/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POLICY FOR STUDENTS

The Anoka-Hennepin School District is committed to helping all students fully realize their potential. To do this, it is necessary that the educational process allow students to make informed decisions about chemicals/controlled substances.

One increasingly important issue in our society is the use, misuse, possession and/or transmission by students of mood-altering and/or chemical/controlled substances, including alcohol, drugs, and, inhalants and look-alike substances. Students cannot make full use of the total school program if they are involved with these substances; chemicals can seriously inhibit their capacity to learn and to function effectively in our schools.

It is the intent of this School District that our students, their parents/guardians, and all staff be made aware of the danger inherent in making unwise choices regarding the use of mood-altering and/or chemical/controlled substances. It is also the intent of the school district to uphold State and Federal laws pertaining to the possession and/or use of controlled substances. The primary responsibility for helping individual students who are involved with chemicals lies with their parents/guardians. Our schools will act in conjunction with parents/guardians to help their children by providing a safe and healthy school environment and appropriate prevention efforts.

Therefore, the Anoka-Hennepin School Board supports the following four components of the Chemical/Controlled Substance Policy for Students:

1. Compliance with current statutes concerning a minor's use/possession/transmission of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs/chemicals, tobacco products, drug related devices/paraphernalia, inhalants, or misuse of prescription, look-alike substances, and/or over-the-counter medication.
2. Chemical/controlled substance use/abuse prevention education and the promotion of wise choices concerning the individual's health.
3. An early intervention in the use/abuse process including identification, consistent consequences, pre-assessment; and, when appropriate, provide a list of resources for families of outside agencies for formal assessment.
4.  A supportive school environment for non-using students, including those who have been involved with chemical/controlled substances in the past, and for those whose families are disrupted by substance abuse.