The Board of Education is committed to the prevention of alcohol and other substance use/abuse. The term “alcohol and/or other substances” shall be construed throughout this policy to refer to the use of all substances including, but not limited to, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines, heroin, steroids, look-alikes, and any synthetic version thereof, whether specifically illegal or not, of those substances commonly referred to as “designer drugs,” which are substances designed and synthesized to mimic the intended effects and usages of, which are chemically similar to, illegal drugs, which may or may not be labeled for human consumption. This policy describes the philosophy of the district and the program elements the district will use to promote healthy lifestyles for its students and to inhibit the use/abuse of alcohol and other substances.
No student may use, possess, sell, offer, manufacture, or distribute alcohol or other substances, nor may use or possess drug paraphernalia, on school grounds or at school-sponsored events, except drugs as prescribed by a physician. The inappropriate use of prescription and over the-counter drugs shall also be prohibited.
Additionally, the following persons shall be prohibited from entering school grounds or school-sponsored events: any person exhibiting behavior, conduct, or personal or physical characteristics indicative of having used or consumed alcohol and/or other substances, or any person who school personnel have reasonable grounds to suspect has used alcohol and/or other substances.
In order to educate students on the dangers associated with substance abuse, the health education curriculum shall include instruction concerning drug abuse for grades K-12.
Any staff member observing alcohol and/or other substances possession or usage by students on school grounds or during school-sponsored or supervised events shall report the incident immediately to the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall then take immediate action. Any alcohol and/or other substances found shall be confiscated immediately, followed by notification of the parent(s) or guardian of the student(s) involved and the appropriate disciplinary action taken, up to and including permanent suspension and referral for prosecution. In its effort to maintain a drug-free environment, the district shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible with local, state and/or federal law enforcement agencies.
The district will use the following principles as guides for the development of its substance use/abuse prevention efforts and for any disciplinary measures related to alcohol and other substances:
∙ Alcohol and/or other substance use/abuse is preventable and treatable.
∙ Alcohol and/or other substance use/abuse inhibits the district from carrying out its central mission of educating students.
∙ The behavior of the Board, the administration, and all school staff should model the behavior asked of students.
∙ While the district can and must assume a leadership role in alcohol and other substance use/abuse prevention, this goal will be accomplished only through collaborative, coordinated efforts with parents, students, staff, and the community as a whole.
Cross-ref: 4317, Teaching about Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco
Ref: Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, 20 U.S.C. §§3171 et seq.
Drug-Free Schools and Campuses, 34 CFR Part 86
Public Law 101-226
Education Law §§804; 912-a; 3214
General Municipal Law §239-u
Mental Hygiene Law §19.07(c)
Penal Law §§220.00 et seq.
Public Health Law, Article 33
8 NYCRR §§100.2(c); 135.3
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 105 S.CT. 733 (1985)
Odenheim v. Carlstadt-East Rutherford Region School District, 211 N.J.Super. 54, 510 AD2d 709 (1985)
People v. Scott D., 34 NY2d 483 (1974)
Matter of Wilson, 28 EDR 254 (1988)
Matter of Pollnow, 22 EDR 547 (1983)
Matter of Vetter, 20 EDR 547 (1981)
Matter of Rodriguez, 8 EDR 214 (1969)
Adoption date: May 27, 1997
Revised: December 10, 2012
Reviewed: May 22, 2017
Revised: June 8, 2026