Students > Student Handbook > Discipline Information > Drug and Alcohol Policy

The Souderton Area School Board recognizes that the misuse of drugs, alcohol, and/or mood altering substances by members of its school population is a serious problem with legal, physical, and social implications. This policy and its associated Guidelines are intended to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all concerned as well as maintain and improve the rapport existent among students and staff.

Through the use of curriculum and classroom activities, community resources, administrative and faculty efforts, rehabilitative and disciplinary procedures, the Souderton Area School District will work in a consistent manner to educate, prevent, and intervene in the use and/or abuse of all drug, alcohol, and mood altering substances by members of the entire school population.

The school district and its individual employees shall be committed to the enforcement of all existing laws, regulations, and Guidelines as adopted by federal, state, local, and school district authorities. Furthermore, in accordance with Section 1317 of the School Code, this policy prohibits any student from knowingly possessing, using, distributing, manufacturing, or being under the influence of any controlled substance and/or alcoholic beverage while on school district property during the school day as well as any school sponsored activity, function or event, or on any vehicle used to transport students. Also prohibited is the promotion, distribution or possession of any drug paraphernalia and/or drug look-alike.

In accordance with the Board's concern for the prevention and intervention of drug and alcohol related problems, the Administration is directed to develop and comply with those regulations designed to implement its commitment to healthy student growth and development. Therefore, this policy authorizes the establishment of a Student Assistance Program as coordinated and operated within the Guidelines of a Student Support Team, which will receive special training on a continuous and ongoing basis.

School authorities shall notify all students, parents, and/or guardians of this policy and its administrative Guidelines.

Definition of Terms

Sale or Illegal Use of Certain Solvents/Inhalants - No person shall, for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication, inebriation, excitement, stupefaction, or the dulling of his brain or nervous system, intentionally smell or inhale the fumes from any substance containing a solvent having the property or releasing toxic vapors or fumes. (Sec. 7303)

Drug/Alcohol/Mood Altering Substance – shall include any alcoholic or malt beverage, any drug listed in Act 64 (1972) as a controlled substance, chemical, abused substance or medication for which a prescription is required under the law and/or any substance which is intended to alter mood. Examples of the above include but are not limited to beer, wine, liquor, marijuana, hashish, chemical solvents, glue, look-alike substances, and any capsules or pills not registered with the nurse, annotated within the student's health record, and/or taken in accordance with the school district policy for the administration of medication to students in school.

Student Assistance Program – is a multi-disciplinary team minimally composed of the school psychologist, a school administrator, a guidance counselor, the school nurse, and two teachers. This team has been trained to understand and work on the issues of adolescent chemical use, abuse, and dependency and will play a primary role in the identification and referral process of students coming to their attention through the procedures outlined in this policy and its Guidelines.

Chemical Abuse Specialist – is a certified program specialist with expertise in the area of chemical dependence and school based assessment.

Outside Referral – referral to an education or treatment agency not operated by the school district wherein students are evaluated in an effort to determine the extent of the drug/alcohol problem and appropriate intervention techniques applied. (Example: Penn Foundation)

School District Property – shall include buildings, facilities and grounds on any school or Vocational-Technical campus, school bus, school parking area, as well as any facility being used for a school function or school sponsored trip.

School Sponsored Function – shall include alternative educational opportunity programs (i.e. Co-op Program) or school related activity subject to the school's jurisdiction.

Distributing – deliver, sell, pass, share, or give any alcohol, drug, drug look-alike, or mood altering substance as defined by this policy from one person to another, or to aid therein.

Sale – the exchange of a determined amount of money or its equivalent.

Possession – possess or hold, without any attempt to distribute, any alcohol, drug, drug look-alike, or mood altering substance determined to be illegal or as defined by this policy.

Use – to consume, take, or partake of drugs, alcohol, or the like in any quantity or form.

Look-alikes – any non-controlled substance that in its overall finished dosage appearance is substantially similar in size, shape, color, marking, or packaging to a specific controlled substance.

Drug Paraphernalia – includes any utensil or item which in the school's judgment can be associated with the use/abuse of narcotic drugs, alcohol, or mood altering substances. Examples may include, but are not limited to cigarette-rolling papers, roach clips, pipes, and bowls.

Cooperative Behavior - shall be defined as the willingness of a student to work with staff and school personnel in a reasonable and helpful manner, complying with requests and recommendations as outlined by the Student Support Team.

Uncooperative Behavior – is resistance or refusal – verbal, physical, or passive – on the part of the student to comply with the reasonable request or recommendations of school personnel. Defiance, assault, deceit, and flight shall constitute examples of uncooperative student behavior. Uncooperative behavior shall also include the refusal to comply with recommendations as outlined by the Student Support Team or a licensed drug and alcohol facility.

Probation – a specified period of time whereby a student must adhere to prescribed conditions of behavior – these conditions of probation to be presented to both student and parent in writing. A student subject to probation under this policy shall continue to attend school but shall be required to observe certain conditions, which may include but need not be limited to:

• Prohibition of any further violation of this policy.
• Prohibition of participation in athletic, extra curricular, social, or leadership activities. This may include exclusion from commencement activities.
• Reporting at stated periods to appropriate persons for counseling.
• Participating in after school hour's maintenance and/or rehabilitation programs.
• Other conditions reasonably related to insuring a correction of the misbehavior or misconduct for which the probation was imposed.

Temporary Suspension – shall be defined as not more than three (3) consecutive school days. Refer to Policy #233. *

Full Suspension – shall mean exclusion from school for a period of up to ten (10) school days. Refer to Policy #233. *

Expulsion – shall be any exclusion from school for a period in excess of ten (10) school days and may be permanent expulsion from the school rolls. Refer to Policy #233. *

* When a student is suspended or expelled from SAHS, he/she is automatically suspended or expelled from North Montco Technical Career Center. This is a reciprocal agreement.

Students should be aware that, according to the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, a person on the school campus during a period when he/she has been excluded from school is committing a defiant trespass offense.