Embedded Files
Protective Interventions in Schools
Secondary School Preventative Practices - 2017-2021 Colorado Healthy Schools Smart Source
Effective, skill-based health education and social emotional learning may serve as a protective factor for substance use. Since 2017, more schools indicate they are offering opportunities that develop knowledge and skills for social-emotional wellness/learning.
A majority of schools indicate they teach about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use prevention. However, at which levels, to what extent that information is taught, and the curricula, programs, or practices utilized varies greatly across schools.
Schools and districts should utilize the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Colorado Academic Standards for Comprehensive Health Education to guide their education offerings. These standards are being updated in 2022-2023. Additionally, CDE offers the Marijuana Resource Bank for evidence-based and best practices addressing marijuana education and intervention.
Perceptions of School Staff and Teachers
Teacher and School Staff Support for Student Wellbeing - 2022 Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado (TLCC)
Disciplinary Interventions in Schools
10 Year School Discipline Trend for Total School Suspensions - 2011-2021 CDE Suspension and Expulsion Data
On average about 75,000-85,000 students were suspended each school year.
Due to COVID-19, the average over the ten-year period was impacted.
10 Year School Discipline Trend for Total Referrals to Law Enforcement - 2011-2021 CDE Suspension and Expulsion Data
On average about 4,000-4,500 students were referred to law enforcement each school year.
Due to COVID-19, the average over the ten-year period was impacted.
10 Year School Discipline Trend for Total Expulsions - 2011-2021 CDE Suspension and Expulsion Data
On average about 1,000-1,200 students were expelled each school year.
Due to COVID-19, the average over the ten-year period was impacted.
5 Year School Discipline Findings - Substance Use Incidents - 2016-2021 CDE Suspension and Expulsion Data
Between 2016-2021, about 6% of suspensions were categorized as DRUG, ALCOHOL, or MARIJUANA incidents. Approximately 22,000 students were suspended for substance use in that five-year period.
Between 2016-2021, about 3.5% of suspensions were TOBACCO incidents. Approximately 12,000 students were suspended for tobacco use in that five-year period.
The majority (about 84%) of suspensions were categorized within the three buckets of: DISOBEDIENT/DEFIANT OR REPEATED INTERFERENCE, DETRIMENTAL BEHAVIOR, OTHER CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATIONS.
Between 2016-2021, on average 33% of disciplinary incidents that were REFERRED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT were due to DRUGS, ALCOHOL, or MARIJUANA. This number is similar for the percent of students who are expelled due to substance use. A smaller percentage of students are expelled or referred to law enforcement for tobacco use incidents (~1 to 6%).
Between 2016-2021, on average about 1,000-1,200 students were REFERRED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT for substance use related incidents each school year. Over 300 students were EXPELLED each school year due to substance use. Due to COVID-19, the average over the five-year period was impacted due to a large decrease in 2020-2021.
Total Students Disciplined Compared by Race/Ethnicity with Total Student Population - 2016-2021 CDE Suspension and Discipline Data
Students who are identified as Hispanic/Latino and those who report as Black or African American had higher levels of overall discipline compared to the student count for that population.
Total Students Disciplined by Sex - 2016-2021 CDE Suspension and Discipline Data
Males were more likely to be disciplined, which includes suspensions, expulsions, and interactions with law enforcement for any incident type.
Interaction with Law Enforcement from Schools
Students Interaction with Law Enforcement By Age - 2019-2020 Colorado Department of Public Safety
Students ages 14-15 had the highest percentage of interactions with law enforcement AT SCHOOL.
Students Interaction with Law Enforcement By Most Common Incident Types - 2019-2020 Colorado Department of Public Safety
Marijuana was the most common reason for student interaction with law enforcement at school.
Law Enforcement Interactions with Students in Schools by Population - 2019-2020 Colorado Department of Public Safety
Students identified as White had more numbers of interactions with law enforcement in schools for substance use.
Students who identified as Black had fewer interactions in schools for substance use, but more likely for assault and disorderly conduct. Black students report less substance use, but more likely to be arrested.
Note: Other interactions could be the result of bias or other systems of oppression for people of color.
The above data source combined the following racial and ethnic groups into an "Other Race/Ethnicity" category: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Two or More Races. The terminology of "other" to categorize race or ethnicity should be used with caution as to not increase groups being oppressed or marginalized further.
Incidents by Judicial Districts Reported by Law Enforcement Agencies - Division of Criminal Justice 2018-2019
Note: This reporting is required by House Bill 15-1273 which mandated that local law enforcement agencies and district attorney offices annually report specific information to the Division of Criminal Justice regarding incidents in schools. However, some agencies did not fully report and may be underrepresented.
Colorado Judicial Districts with the highest percentage of all substance use related incidents reported by law enforcement including marijuana, alcohol, dangerous drugs, and tobacco (percent of total incidents for these substances)
Marijuana was the most frequent reason for law enforcement interaction with students in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.
Fewer incidents occurred in 2019-2020, likely due to COVID-19.
Number of Minors Found in Possession of Alcohol by State Law Enforcement Agencies- 2018 and 2020 SAMSHA Colorado State Report on Underage Drinking Prevention and Enforcement
Note: Per the Office of Research and Statistics at the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, minor in possession for alcohol filings typically occur at the municipal court level and there is currently no unified structure for that information.
The information below was included in a state report to SAMSHA.
686
Collected 12 months prior to 12/31/2016
568
Collected 12 months prior to 4/30/2019
Arrests for Substances - Marijuana
Number of Arrests for Marijuana Ages 10-17 -
Colorado Bureau of Investigation, National Incident-Based Reporting System
Note: The most common type of juvenile marijuana arrest is for possession.
2,648
Collected in 2016
2,573
Collected in 2018
Youth who are Black have higher rates of arrests for marijuana.
18-22%
higher arrest rate for Black juveniles compared to Hispanic and White juveniles
Between 2012-2019, the arrest rate for Black juveniles was higher than their counterparts. In 2019-2020, the arrest rate for Black juveniles (429 per 100,000) was 22% above that of Whites (352 per 100,000) and 18% higher than the Hispanic rate (364 per 100,000).
Juvenile arrests for marijuana have decreased since 2012.
37%
decrease in the number of marijuana arrests between 2012-2019
42%
decrease in the rate of arrests between 2012-2019
The number of juvenile marijuana arrests decreased 37%, from 3,265 in 2012 to 2,064 in 2019.
The rate of juvenile marijuana arrests per 100,000 decreased 42%, from 599 in 2012 to 349 in 2019.
The rate of White juvenile arrests decreased 47%, from 667 per 100,000 in 2012 to 352 per 100,000 in 2019.
The rate of Hispanic juvenile arrests decreased 26%, from 489 per 100,000 in 2012 to 364 in 2019.
The rate of Black juvenile arrests decreased 41%, from 727 per 100,000 in 2012 to 429 in 2019.
Counties with Higher Rates for Juvenile Drug Arrests compared to the State Rate - 2019 and 2020 Colorado Crime Statistics -
Colorado Department of Public Safety
Drug Arrests for those Under 18- 2018-2021 Average Monthly Number - 2018-2021 National Incident-Based Reporting System
Summary
Many schools report offering universal approaches to support students; school could offer more related to social and emotional wellness.
A limitation of this data is the extent and quality to which this education is offered.
Most suspensions are related to general categories - with about 6% being for substance use.
Substance use is more common as a reason for expulsions and interaction with law enforcement.
Males are most likely to be disciplined and ages 14-15 are more likely to have interactions with law enforcement.
Although school interactions with law enforcement don't show a disproportionate level for students of color, black youth are more likely to be arrested for marijuana use compared to their white counterparts.
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