IHAMB

TEACHING ABOUT DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND TOBACCO

In accordance with state and federal law, the District shall provide age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate, evidence-based alcohol, tobacco, and drug prevention education programs in grades K-12.

The alcohol, tobacco, and drug prevention program shall address the legal, social, and health consequences alcohol, tobacco and drug use, with emphasis on nonuse by school age children. The program also shall include information about effective techniques and skill development for delaying and abstaining from using illegal substances, as well as skills for addressing peer pressure to use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

The objectives of this program, as stated below, are rooted in the Committee’s belief that prevention requires education, and that the most important aspect of the policies and guidelines of the District should be the education of children and youth on healthy decision making.

· To create an awareness of the total drug problem--prevention, education, treatment, rehabilitation, and law enforcement on the local, state, national and international levels.

· To prevent, delay, and/or reduce alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among children and youth.

· To increase student's understanding of the legal, social, and health consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.

· To teach students self-management skills social skills, negotiation skills and refusal skills that will help them to make healthy decision and avoid alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.

· To actively promote a culture that prohibits the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco in the school community.

The curriculum, instructional materials, and outcomes used in this program shall be recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the School Committee.

This policy shall be posted on the district’s website and notice shall be provided to all students and parents in accordance with state law. Additionally, the district shall file a copy of this policy with DESE in accordance with law in a manner requested by DESE.

SOURCE: MASC March 2016

LEGAL REFS.: M.G.L. 71:1; 71:96

CROSS REFS: GBEC, Drug Free Workplace Policy

Adopted on: April 24, 2008

Revised on: August 25, 2016