Your school's drug and alcohol policy?

Parents Forum
1

<p>I originally posted this in the High School forum, because I'm mainly concerned with student input, but I figure parents would probably take more time to read it all and comment about your school's policies. I just copy and pasted, so remember this was written toward other high schoolers, not parents, and I don't want this to become an issue of drugs/alcohol, but just how your school deals with the issue.</p>

<p>
[quote]

What are the policies at your school concerning co-curricular and extra-curricular activities (not athletics) like? How extensive are they? Have they had an effect on the actions of students? Or are they just something people sign and forget about?</p>

<p>Without getting into too much background detail, our school is about to enact a new drug and alcohol policy encompassing both co- and extra-curricular activities, in addition to athletics, which are already restricted. The problem is working out the details.</p>

<p>Now I believe the school has complete jurisdiction over this. The school and community are giving us these activities as privileges and they have the right to take those away. I also understand extra punishment for "student leaders," though if kids are justifying their behavior just because "well he/she is doing it," then i think we should examine how we're teaching our kids to make choices, but yet again, that's not the point. It's the technicalities of the policy that I disagree with.</p>

<p>I have a few main concerns with the policy as it stands:
2nd/3rd offenses are grounds for being kicked off of an activity for one school year/rest of high school career. But if they aren't doing any ECs, doesn't that just leave more time for alcohol and drugs? I think it's important to get kids back into ECs as soon as possible. Also consider the amount of "growing up" that occurs during three years of high school. How does your school handle this?</p>

<p>If a student is found not guilty in a court of law of say, alcohol consumption, they can still be found guilty by our school. While I suppose these are two different spheres, I've always considered a court of law to be above that of a school. Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but I found that slightly disturbing.</p>

<p>There should be an appeal process of some sort, I believe, whether immediately or after a set period of time. While students can't file complains against other students, one issue I'm worried about is parents whose children have been punished beginning to seek out and file complaints against other students as some sort of revenge. Maybe I'm being skeptical, but I wouldn't be surprised.</p>

<p>A couple other student council members and I went to the school board meeting last night to get more info and voice our concerns. I got up to make my point that I know was stated before but needed to be reiterated: students who are at parties but not drinking should not be punished. I understand the motives of this (parents not wanting their children around it, administrators hoping to "ostracize" the drinkers--haha right), but if anything, someone at a party not drinking acts as a much better deterrent than any policy ever would. Of course, I get done saying this only to be condescended to by the superintendent that "that was never part of the policy, only some discussion at the beginning." But I talked to the SC president, who was there last week, I even read her notes, and that's basically the only aspect of the issue they talked about the whole time. So he basically embarrassed me in front of everyone for no reason. Frustrating.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm trying to make this as short as possible. So, what do you think? I don't want this to turn into a "drinking and drugs are bad/drinking and drugs are good" debate, but just about the policy.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>here's the actual thread so far: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=106604%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=106604&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

2

<p>This is obviously a government school. There is not much to that policy, frankly, and shows how little the school cares for its students, IMO.</p>

<p>My sons' private school has the following policy:
Possessing alcohol or drugs on campus or at any school sponsored activity or function is grounds for immediate dismissal.
Use of alcohol/drugs at other venues or events not connected with school is grounds for suspension, detention or other sanctions, depending on the offense. A second violation is grounds for dismissal.</p>

3

<ol>
<li><p>Zero Tolerance. A student unlawfully possessing, handling, using, under the influence of, or selling alcohol, other drugs, or any controlled substances in any way in school building, on school grounds, on school buses, or at a school sponsored activity shall be suspended/expelled for one calendar year. "Drug" means any controlled substance, marijuana, alcohol, legend drug, or any substance whose possession or use is regulated in any manner by any governmental authority, including a school system.</p></li>
<li><p>Administrative Processing
a) The principal may recommend placement in the Alternative Learning Center (ALC).
b) The principal shall notify the local law enforcement agency and the Williamson County Juvenile Services Department.
c) All contraband shall be given to the local law enforcement agency for laboratory testing.
d) During any out-of-school suspension period, the student shall not be permitted to attend or participate in extracurricular activities.</p></li>
<li><p>Case-By-Case Review
The Director of Schools may review any individual case and may reduce the suspension time to less than one calendar year.</p></li>
<li><p>Second Offense
Any second offense shall result in immediate suspension for one calendar year by the principal.</p></li>
</ol>

4

<p>Wyogal, I don't think your gratuitous slap at public school was necessary. Yes, it's true that public schools do have to have more structure and due process to their disciplinary proceedings. It goes with the territory when your kids aren't self-selected but and have a right to a public education. That doesn't mean a school doesn't "care for its students". And in any event, you're opining on a policy that, from the OP's message, isn't event spelled out -- the only specific statement that I see is "2nd/3rd offenses are grounds for being kicked off of an activity for one school year/rest of high school career". There's no indication that that's the ONLY consequence, so exactly what policy are your criticizing as having "not much to it"? For what it's worth, my son's public school has the following:

[quote]
Students are not permitted to possess, use, distribute, sell or be under the influence of drugs, drug-like substances, look-alike drugs, drug paraphernalia, and/or alcohol on school property or at school sponsored events as these items are considered to be wrong and harmful.
Students who violate this policy shall be immediately suspended from school and school activities. The principal shall refer to the superintendent students who have been suspended for drugs or alcohol related matters where expulsion is a consideration. The superintendent or designee shall hold a hearing to determine appropriate disciplinary action.
The principal or designee is to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency when students violate this policy. Notification to law enforcement agencies is not a part of the school disciplinary response, but is action required of school officials by the Code of Delaware.
Procedures and regulations for the implementation of this policy are to be developed by the administration and are to be reviewed and authorized by the Board of Education.
Alcohol :
1st Incident
• 5 days minimum to 10 days maximum suspension from school
• appropriate law enforcement agency notified
• no participation in or attendance at curricular activities, co-curricular activities, extra-curricular activities, and school functions for 45 consecutive school days plus 40 hours of school service prior to the end of the 45 consecutive school day restriction (see definitions)
• counseling - mandatory for readmission </p>

<p>2nd Incident
• expulsion from school for a length of time and conditions for readmission to be determined by the Board of Education
• counseling and community service - mandatory for readmission
• appropriate law enforcement agency notified
• no attendance at curricular activities, co-curricular activities, extra-curricular activities and school functions for one calendar year (see definitions)
• no participation in curricular activities, co-curricular activities, extra-curricular activities and school functions for one calendar year (see definitions)
• support enrollment into an alternative educational program
• exclusion from school property during time of expulsion </p>

<p>Drugs, Drug Like Substances, Look-alike Substances and/or Drug Paraphernalia :
• expulsion from school for a length of time and conditions for readmission to be determined by the Board of Education
• counseling and community service - mandatory for readmission
• notification of appropriate law enforcement agency
• no attendance at curricular activities, co-curricular activities, extra-curricular activities and school functions for one calendar year (see definitions)
• no participation in curricular activities, co-curricular activities, extra-curricular activities and school functions for one calendar year (see definitions)
• support enrollment into an alternative educational program
• exclusion from school property during time of expulsion

[/quote]
</p>

5

<p>Let me summarize:</p>

<p>Official policy: Zero tolerance.</p>

<p>Unofficial policy: Don't ask, don't tell.</p>

6

<p>Zero tolerance laws do more harm than good in pretty much all cases.</p>

7

<p>Our private school has a policy similar to what wyogal describes. One strike and you're out for cheating, stealing, or drugs on campus. As to the "other venues" issue...we had a bunch of seniors--all 18, but still not legal for drinking--who got busted for a keg party on private property just prior to graduation. Many of them were "stars." Class president, valedictorian, salutatorian, captains of teams, editors of the paper and yearbook, etc. A veritable Who's Who of the school's highest achievers. These were (and are) really spectacular kids, and there was much nail-biting going on as to how the school would handle it (the idiocy of the parents who allowed this is another subject, entirely). In the end, the head of school delivered one of the most effective public spankings to a bunch of privileged, elite, over-achievers that I've ever seen. At graduation, she told the whole story, complete with a description of the spirited faculty debate that had gone on about how to address the situation--nearly half of the faculty had opined that these kids should not receive their awards and accolades in the public graduation ceremony. In the end, they did get them, but they were also held up as examples of how brilliance and talent don't necessarily equal good judgement and/or moral exceptionality. It was very sad, and very uplifting, at the same time.</p>

8

<p>driver, I know it was near the end of the school year, but were these kids also suspended and booted from their clubs, teams, yearbook, paper, etc.? It's not really clear from your post, and I was just curious. I think that, unfortunately, these are the types of things that do tend to happen at the very end of the HS career and it many cases the administration takes a "what's the point" approach to punishment (although the public admonishment sounds good). But I think there IS a point to being consistent. If the policy calls for being kicked out of co- and extra-curricular activities, then that's what should happen regardless of when it occurs and even if in reality all of these clubs and activities have wrapped up for the year.</p>

9

<p>I go to a small private school without a religious affiliation. We have a pretty lax policy - basically if you bring anything onto school grounds you are expelled. Other than that, there are no outside rules - they can't force people to not drink outside of school.</p>

10

<p>I didn't even realize my mistake, but I should have clarified something--we already have a policy in place for alcohol/drug posession ON school grounds, at school activities, etc. This new policy pertains to drinking and drugs OUTSIDE of school, off of school grounds, and even in the summer. So are your school's policies different? Or do they even have policies pertaining to this?</p>

11

<p>Iderochi,
You're describing the debate that went on among the faculty. In the case I described, the kids were arrested (and their names made public) during "dead week"--the period between the end of the school year and graduation. Had the bust occurred earlier during the academic year, say, over prom weekend, the consequences would have been much more dire, including suspensions from various activities. This was a kind of gray area for us. The public humiliation of many of the school's superstars and their families was a pretty effective compromise. Some of the faculty didn't even want these kids to be allowed to participate in the public graduation ceremony, which I thought a bit much. But, they did violate the rules, and they knew what the rules were when they violated them. Anyway, that's the kind of debate that makes private school tuition worthwhile, for me.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
Wyogal, I don't think your gratuitous slap at public school was necessary. Yes, it's true that public schools do have to have more structure and due process to their disciplinary proceedings. It goes with the territory when your kids aren't self-selected but and have a right to a public education. That doesn't mean a school doesn't "care for its students".

[/quote]

There's nothing gratuitous about it. When you have seen firsthand the following equations:
alcohol + car + teenage boy = death or permanent disability
alcohol + boy + teenage girl = pregnancy, std's, or death (remember Natalee Holloway?)</p>

<p>then government school bureaucracy doesn't quite cut it. When the prospect of offending someone or meeting some hypothetical standard of fairness interferes with a policy that is in the best interests of maintaining your students' life and health, then yes, they don't care. It's not worth it to the principals & school boards take some flack from some parents in order to take a stand on behalf of their students safety? Yeah, in my book, they don't care.</p>

<p>BTW, you're wrong to assume my private school kids are "self-selected" and that the school has no due process--both are in error.</p>

<p>I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.</p>

13

<p>Without a copy in front of me, I certainly don't know the details of the drug/alcohol policy of the public school where I sub most, but I know they've run into some very interesting alcohol issues because they run some serious trips, including to Mexico, Canada, and much of Europe, all of them places where a high school student may be of legal age to drink. As a consequence, the policy on those school trips has been very carefully enumerated: you drink, you go home, at parental expense, and you aren't allowed off campus for any school function--band concert or PE hike or school trip--ever again. In addition, the policy for faculty and adult chaperones is also NO DRINKING when supervising students. Since supervision on a school trip is assumed to be 24/7, no drinking for faculty at all on such trips.</p>

14

<p>dmd
my older daughters school went to costa rica when she was in 11th gd ( some kids were younger)
they stayed at a hotel for part of the time- where they had rice and beans at every meal and when you ordered a smoothie- it had alcohol in it. & this was at breakfast according to my D!
They sent it back- their policy is also no substances period.
I think it is good that adults dont' drink either.
One trip my younger D went on to DC, reportedly several of the adults ( teachers) went and got stoned ( according to chaperone parents)
It surpised me but not really, when I was on a week long field trip with some of the same teachers to Orkilia, ( YMCA camp), they ALL took off, turned off their cell phones and apparently went down to the tavern. We wouldn't have even known, but I was responsible for a group of 12, it was dark and instead of staying with our group activity, she snuck off and found a staff member who was a little put out that we didn't know where the teachers were.
I admit I could have used a drink on that trip- but I was just grateful for coffee in the morning :)</p>

<p>I also wanted to share my experience in high school
This was in the 70s when we had "informal" smoking bathrooms.
It wasnt allowed, but it was known which bathrooms people smoked in. Every once in a while, it would be raided by the vice principal, but most of time kids were left alone.
I happened to be in the bathroom during a raid- and was suspended for 3 days. I didnt' really want to go back after my 3 days, so I then was eligible to attend an "alternative" high school.
I attended that school for quite a while, it was for kids who were "at risk", they allowed cigarettes but nothing else.
Anyway- we had a greenhouse, where the students often smoked before school, as it was warm, I was in there- not smoking anything, but some students were smoking pot, which was not allowed under any circumstances, and the policy was, you removed your self and hopefully notified an adult.
I was thinking about it- but it was warm, and one of the teachers came in and expelled us all.
They acknowledged that I was not with the group that was smoking pot- but because I did not leave they didn't have any recourse.
I did have the option of appealing after a period of time, to the school board, which I did, and they let me return.
I think that everyone involved should be sanctioned, otherwise, it is too easy for rumors to start about certain people who got off becuase they were the coaches son etc.</p>

15

<p>Wow, I can't believe there are people that think that these kids lives should be ruined for having a substance use/abuse problem. In this case I see that it was talked about publicly as to also drag the families name through the mud. But hey people need something to gossip about.</p>

16

<p>HS drug/alcohol policies are ludicrous. At my school, for instance, you get in more trouble for being drunk at a dance (on a Saturday night) than you do for fighting during school or cheating. Aside from the fact that drinking isn't a big deal (it SHOULD NOT be suspendable in and of itself, in my opinion; just being drunk isnt' a bad thing if no other rules are being broken) and that 18 year olds deserve the right to drink (tobacco is FAR more harmful than drinking even accounting for alcohol-related car crashes, etc...)</p>

<p>For public schools, off-school drinking (off school meaning not at school or school activities) can only result in suspensions from a team or activity - the school cannot suspend students from actual school or punish them in any way for actions at non-school related activities, with a few exceptions for violent crimes and other felonies. Some public schools may violate this concept (I've heard of it), but their policies wouldn't stand up in court if challenged. Private schools, obviously, are a different story.</p>

<p>I personally was victimized for my drinking at a dance. Other kids who got caught cheating walked with minimal penatly and didn't have to explain to colleges why they got in trouble - which I did. I thoroughly believe that simply being drunk when at a nonschool/noncompetitive activity is NOT wrong and is NOT a big deal. Especially for high school seniors, many of whom are 18 or older, drinking should not be a suspendable offense when it does not occur at school or at a competitive event (I can see why school's are concerned with kids being drunk while trying to learn or representing the school on an athletic/academic team, etc..., but there is no reason for the school to care if kids are drunk at a dance or school-sponsored party beyond making sure they are OK (i.e. not ridiculously and overly drunk) and not driving). </p>

<p>Wyogal, just because something is in someone's best interest does not mean that those with power should or have to use it to make someone do it. By that logic, the government should run everyone's life and make sure they live an optimally healthy life - a fundamentally un-American idea that lacks a respect for individual liberty.</p>

<p>I'll conclude by saying that the disciplinary process at most schools is a joke. At my school, which is, as I've heard, fairly in line with other schools, the administrators did not need to prove anything to any standard - they just had to say that they "thought" I was drinking and I had essentially no recourse. At my appeal, one of the primary concerns of the superintendent (who I appealed to) was ensuring that the principle's ability to intimidate other student's into following rules was not compromised by my successful appeal - imagine the injustices that would result if that were the case in real courts.</p>

<p>Also, drinking, possessing alcohol, being under the influence of drugs and possessing drugs should not be grouped togather as a blanket offense (as they often are) - there is a big difference between going to a dance drunk and going to school with a kilo of coke.</p>