Drug & Alcohol Policy

The Exeter Township School Board and personnel value each member of the school community and believe that all individuals have the right to develop to their fullest potential. The Board and school personnel recognize that chemical abuse and dependency seriously impair the ability of students to develop their full potential. Board Policy 227 is based on the belief that chemical dependency is a life-threatening illness that affects the emotional, physical, intellectual and social development of all individuals. This policy is based on our convictions that chemical dependency is a treatable illness, and early intervention among "at risk" students will enhance the effectiveness of the schools.

Statement of Policy

• The School Board of the Exeter Township School District, recognizing that the misuse of chemicals is a serious problem with legal, physical, emotional and social implications for the whole school community, adopts the position that students must be chemically-free in order to develop in the most productive and healthy manner.
• Therefore, it is this district’s policy to prevent and prohibit the possession and/or use, distribution, and/or intent of distribution of an illegal or controlled mood-altering chemical, medication, alcohol or abused chemical not approved by the health office on school property, at school sponsored events, or school buses and en route to or from school.
• Such prevention and/or prohibition shall occur through a three-faceted program, including:
  • Education
  • Prevention
  • Intervention
• Prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs brought to school must be registered with and taken in the presence of the school nurse or other designated individual (see the "Health Services" section of this handbook under "Student Services" for details).
• Violation of this policy includes possession, use, sale or distribution of chemicals as defined and described within the parameters of this policy and as stated within administrative guidelines. The consequences of such violations may result in permanent expulsion from school by the School Board.
• This policy will be implemented through the cooperative efforts of the faculty, administration, school support staff, students, parents and community agencies serving the Exeter Township School District.
• This policy authorizes the establishment of the Exeter Township Student Assistance Program (SAP).

Definition of Terms:

• Confidentiality between students and school counselors, school nurses, school psychologists, community liaison and staff shall be respected; and no confidential communication shall be made relative thereto without the consent of the student or his/her parent or guardian unless the best interests of the students can be served only by doing so or the subject of that confidentiality presents a clear and present danger to the school community.
• Confiscation occurs when there is probable cause to believe that the student is in the possession of drugs or mood-altering chemicals. There is an obligation to search for and seize the chemicals or substances by the building administrator(s) or designee upon probable cause. This search will include school lockers, clothing, purses, book bags, gym bags, books and other personal property. Reasonable efforts will be made to secure the student’s voluntary consent and to have the student present at the time of the search.
• Controlled Substance, Drug, Drug Paraphernalia, Alcohol, or Counterfeit Drug shall have the meanings given to them as defined in the Act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.17700, No.699), known as the the Pharmacy Act or the Act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No.64) known as the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, and the Act of April 12, 1951 (P.L. 90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, and any future amendments to the above codes.
• Drug paraphernalia includes any utensil or item which in the school’s judgment can be associated with the use of drugs, alcohol or mood-altering substances. Examples include--but are not limited to--pipes, bowls, roach clips and vaping devices.
• Drugs or mood-altering chemicals include any alcohol or malt beverage, controlled substance, lookalike, synthetic or illegal or abused substance or medication not approved and registered by the health office, and any illegal substance that is intended to alter mood.
• School property shall include not only the actual buildings, facilities and grounds on the school campus, but also the school buses, school parking areas, any facility being used for a school function and any site of a school activity in which the Exeter Township School District is a participant.
• Staff shall be defined as administrator; school nurse; teacher; guidance counselor; support staff (secretaries, custodians, cafeteria staff, and aides); employees of any contracted group who works with students; athletic coach; or other educational or medical employee employed by the Exeter Township School District.

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Drug & Alcohol Administrative Guidelines

The outline below describes the appropriate responses for affected school personnel in dealing with drug and alcohol incidents with students. It is understood that failure of a student to abide by the terms stipulated by Student Assistance Program (SAP) and/or outside agencies may result in a recommendation for expulsion from school. Such terms may include participation in a chemical awareness program or an intervention program provided by an outside agency.

Students involved in extracurricular programs should reference the Extracurricular Code of Conduct for additional information about disciplinary consequences affecting eligibility.

Situation/Category 1: A student volunteers information about personal drug or alcohol use to a staff member and seeks help.

• Immediate Action: Staff member contacts a SAP member.
• Investigation: SAP process is initiated; building administrator investigates as necessary.
• Notification of Parents: The parent is notified only with the consent of the student, unless there is a clear and imminent danger to the student.
• Notification of Police: Not applicable
• Disposition of Substance: Not applicable
• Discipline: No punitive action
• Rehabilitation: SAP support, as needed

Situation/Category 2: A student volunteers information about drug and alcohol use of another.

• Immediate Action: The information concerning the student identified as allegedly having the drug or alcohol problem is referred to SAP.
• Investigation: SAP process is initiated.
• Notification of Parent: Yes.
• Notification of Police: At the discretion of the Principal

Situation/Category 3: A staff member is concerned about inappropriate behavior, poor class performance, tardiness, absenteeism, etc. It may or may not be related to drug/alcohol abuse. 

• Immediate Action: The staff member will try to handle the situation in consultation with SAP liaison and/or administrator; possible referral to SAP.
• Investigation: SAP process is initiated.
• Notification of Parents: Yes, if warranted.
• Notification of Police: At the discretion of the Principal

Situation/Category 4: A student displays symptoms of drug or alcohol use during school or at a school activity on or off school property. This situation will be treated as a medical emergency.

• Immediate Action: Staff member notifies an administrator. Standard health and first aid procedures will be followed. The nurse will be summoned immediately; the student may be transported to a medical facility at parental expense.
• SAP process is initiated.
• Investigation: The Principal will investigate the incident. This may include a search of the student, his/her locker, car and other possessions.
• Notification of Parents: Yes.
• Notification of Police: At the discretion of the Principal.
• Disposition of Substance: Confiscated for analysis, if warranted.
• Discipline: If there is evidence of violations, student is given 10 days of out-of-school suspension.
• Rehabilitation: Referral to SAP; assessment by a licensed drug and alcohol facility and/or the student assistance liaison within 10 days and compliance with its recommendation. (Note: Failure to comply with the assessment and recommendation will result in a referral to the Board of Education for an expulsion hearing.)

A release form must be signed by the student so that the SAP team can monitor the student’s treatment plan and a re-entry meeting is held before they return to school.

Situation/Category 5: A student possesses drugs, mood-altering substances, or alcohol at school or a school activity on or off school property. 

• Immediate • Action: Staff member notifies an administrator. SAP process is initiated.
• Investigation: The student, his/her locker, car and other possessions may be searched. Staff member writes an anecdotal record.
• Notification of Parents: Yes. Immediate parental conference is arranged.
• Notification of Police: Yes.
• Disposition of Substance: Confiscated; analysis may be made for possible use in further proceedings.
• Discipline: Student is detained until a parent can accompany the student. In the case of an activity off school district property, such as a field trip, class trip or study trip, the student will be sent home at parental expense. Informal hearing; 10 days out-of-school suspension and placement in an alternative education program for a maximum of 45 days. (In accordance with the district discipline policy of the use of “appropriate interventions, behavior modification and punitive discipline,” in some cases students will have the opportunity for early return to the building upon completion of a restorative plan for self and school community under the supervision of an administrator.)
• Rehabilitation: Referral to SAP. Before the suspended student returns to school, parents and student must meet with a building administrator, school counselor and/or SAP team member. Assessment by a licensed drug and alcohol facility and/or the student assistance liaison within 10 days and compliance with its recommendation. A release form must be signed by the student so that the SAP team can monitor the student’s treatment plan and a re-entry meeting is held before he/she returns to school.
• If a student displays symptoms of drug or alcohol use again at school or any school activity (on or off school property), a 45 day alternative education placement and the possible recommendation for an expulsion hearing could take place.

Situation/Category 6: A student is distributing a drug, mood-altering substance or alcohol. 

• Immediate Action: Principal is summoned.
• Investigation: The student, his/her locker, desk, car and other possessions may be searched. Staff member writes an anecdotal report of the incident.
• Notification of Parents: Yes. Immediate parental conference is arranged.
• Notification of Police: Yes.
• Disposition of Substance: Confiscated; analysis may be made for possible use in further proceedings.
• Discipline: Informal hearing; 10 days out-of-school suspension and placement in an alternative education program for a maximum of 45 days. (In accordance with the district discipline policy of the use of “appropriate interventions, behavior modification and punitive discipline,” in some cases students will have the opportunity for early return to the building upon completion of a restorative plan for self and school community under the supervision of an administrator.)
• Formal School Board hearing is held, with the recommendation of expulsion from school.
• Rehabilitation: Referral to SAP. Before the suspended student leaves for the 45 day placement, an assessment by a licensed drug and alcohol facility and/or the student assistance liaison within 10 days and compliance with its recommendation. A release form must be signed by the student so that the SAP team can monitor the student’s treatment plan. A release form must be signed by the student so that the SAP team can monitor the student’s treatment plan and a re-entry meeting is held before he/she can return to school.

Situation/Category 7: The student possesses drug-related paraphernalia. No evidence of use.

• Immediate Action: Administrator is notified. Paraphernalia is confiscated.
• Investigation: Staff member writes an anecdotal report. The student, his/her locker, car and other possessions will be searched. Confiscation of paraphernalia.　　
• Notification of Police: Administration’s discretion.
• Disposition of Substance: Analysis if warranted.
• Discipline: Informal hearing. Up to 10 days out-of-school suspension.
• Rehabilitation: Referral to SAP

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Tobacco & Vaping Products

Per Exeter School Board Policy 222, the possession, use, purchase or sale of tobacco and vaping products, regardless of the presence of tobacco or nicotine, is prohibited on school property or during school-sponsored events. This includes the student use of tobacco cessation products and any form of medical marijuana. When vaping occurs on school grounds and/or during a school event, a student will receive supportive and disciplinary responses.

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Hazing

The Board prohibits hazing in connection with any student activity or organization regardless of whether the conduct occurs on or off school property or outside of school hours as outlined in Policy 247. No student, parent/guardian, coach, sponsor, volunteer or district employee shall engage in, condone or ignore any form of hazing. The Board encourages students who believe they, or others, have been subjected to hazing to promptly report such incidents to the building principal or designee

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Dating Violence

Dating violence is inconsistent with the educational goals of the district and is prohibited at all times. The Board encourages students who have been subjected to dating violence to promptly report such incidents. The district shall investigate promptly all complaints of dating violence and shall administer appropriate discipline to any student who violates the expectations outlined in Policy 252.

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Threat Assessment

The District has established threat assessment teams and procedures for assessing and intervening with students whose behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community and others. Guidelines for threat assessment can be found in Policy 236.1.

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Relationships Between Adults & Students

Inappropriate relationships between adults and students are unacceptable at the Exeter Township School District. Policies 248.1 and 824 describe and give examples of the types of behaviors between adults and unrelated students that are inappropriate so that there is no ambiguity about what behaviors are unacceptable.

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Discrimination/Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Students & Harassment

Per Policy 248, the district prohibits all forms of unlawful harassment of students and third parties by all district students and staff members, contracted individuals, vendors, volunteers and third parties in the schools. The Board encourages students and third parties who have been harassed to promptly report such incidents to the designated employees. The Board directs that complaints of harassment shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action be taken when allegations are substantiated. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the district's legal and investigative obligations.

The Board declares it to be the policy of this district to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential through the programs and activities offered in the schools without discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or handicap/disability (Policies 103, 103.1 and 104). The Board also declares it to be the policy of this district to comply with federal law and regulations under Title IX prohibiting sexual harassment, which is a form of unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex. The district is committed to the maintenance of a safe, positive learning environment for all students that is free from discrimination by providing all students course offerings, counseling, assistance, services, employment, athletics and extracurricular activities without any form of discrimination, including Title IX sexual harassment. Discrimination is inconsistent with the rights of students and the educational and programmatic goals of the district and is prohibited at or, in the course of, district-sponsored programs or activities, including transportation to or from school or school-sponsored activities.

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