Drug Prevention Memorandum

The Board of Education recognizes that the misuse of drugs is a serious problem with legal, physical, and social implications for the entire school community. School policy is reflected in the student/parent handbook with information on the identification, amelioration, and regulation of drug use in the schools.

Identification

"Drugs" shall mean:

• All dangerous controlled substances as so designated and prohibited by Michigan statute

• All chemicals which release toxic vapors

• All alcoholic beverages

• Any prescription or patented drug, except those for which permission to use in school has been granted

pursuant to Board policy

• “Look Alikes”

• Anabolic steroids

• Any other illegal substances so designated and prohibited by law

Amelioration – The Process of Improvement

Caledonia Community Schools has a sincere interest in educating its students about drug use and misuse and will promote awareness through various programs and courses and requires the notification to parents and students that compliance with the standards of conduct is mandatory.

Caledonia Community Schools will encourage, and in some cases require, that students in violation of the drug policy enlist the aid of a counselor for rehabilitative purposes. In the event that counseling services are needed, Caledonia Community Schools requests that a release be signed by the student and his/her parent/guardian(s) allowing the student’s school to have contact with the counselor in an effort to support the rehabilitation and will provide information about any drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation and reentry programs available to students and provide procedures to direct students and their parents to the appropriate programs.

The School will emphasize the prevention of drug use through the student’s health classes to provide a comprehensive, age-appropriate, developmentally-based drug and alcohol education and prevention program which addresses the legal, social, psychological, and health consequences of drug and alcohol use. The school will also provide information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use illicit drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, and alcohol and that the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession, sale, and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful.

Regulation

In accordance with Federal and State law, a “Drug-Free School Zone” has been established that extends 1000 feet from the boundary of any school property. Caledonia Community Schools prohibits the use, possession, sale, concealment, delivery, or distribution of any drug or drug-related paraphernalia at any time on school property, within the Drug-Free School Zone, or at any district-related event.

School disciplinary action for the aforementioned offenses will be imposed on students who violate the school standards of conduct and shall range from suspension from school, up to and including expulsion from Caledonia Community Schools through Board action as well as a referral for prosecution. Public Act 102 requires that local law enforcement be notified of any violation involving drugs and/or drug paraphernalia.

School policy has taken all the necessary steps to ensure that an individual eighteen (18) years of age or older who knowingly delivers or distributes controlled substances so designated and prohibited by Michigan statute within the Drug-Free School Zone to another person is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Drug Prevention Memorandum

In accordance with Federal Law, the Board of Education prohibits the use, possession, concealment, or distribution of drugs by students on school grounds, in school or school-approved vehicles, or at any school-related event. Drugs includes any alcoholic beverage, anabolic steroid, dangerous controlled substance as defined by State statute, or substance that could be considered a "look-a-like" controlled substance. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all students. Any student who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with due process and as specified in the student handbooks, up to and including expulsion from school. When required by State law, the District will also notify law enforcement officials.

The District is concerned about any student who is a victim of alcohol or drug abuse and will facilitate the process by which s/he receives help through programs and services available in the community. Students and their parents should contact the school principal or counseling office whenever such help is needed.