Jerome Joint School District No. 261

STUDENTS 3320

Substance and Alcohol Abuse

The Board recognizes that use of alcohol and drugs is a serious problem and that the presence of drugs in school is detrimental to the educational environment and harmful to the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff.

The District wishes to help those in need of alcohol and drug intervention and at the same time to protect others

that are affected by the presence of alcohol and drugs and to enforce the policies of the District relating to use,

possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, as that term is defined in statute (I.C.

§ 37-2732C).

Voluntary Disclosure

The District shall strive to create an environment free from alcohol and illicit drugs. In the case of students who

come forward and voluntarily disclose using and/or being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while on

school property or at a school function, prior to the District having reasonable suspicion, the will immediately

notify the student’s parent/guardian, and the District will work with the parent in the establishment of a plan to

assist the student in whatever means are deemed necessary and appropriate. The incident shall be reported to law

enforcement if Idaho code has been violated.

The mere fact that a student previously disclosed use of alcohol or controlled substances, in and of itself, shall not

establish reasonable suspicion at a later date.

Use of Alcohol/Drugs Not Disclosed Voluntarily

If the District has reasonable suspicion (based upon reliable information received or the personal observations of

staff) that a student is using or is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and the student has not

voluntarily disclosed such use or influence, the District may take whatever action is deemed appropriate, including

but not limited to suspension, and/or expulsion. The District shall notify the student’s parent/guardian as well as

local law enforcement. The following shall be used as a guide in determining what procedures may be followed

when this occurs, however, the specific procedure may, in large part, depend upon the circumstances in each case:

1. Upon reasonable suspicion, the student will be asked if they have used and/or are under the influence of

alcohol and/or drugs;

2. If the student admits to the use, the student’s parent/guardian will be immediately called. The student will

be asked to reveal the circumstances involving the use of alcohol and/or drugs and asked if any other

students were involved;

3. The student will be immediately suspended from school, and depending upon the circumstances, may be

suspended for up to 20 days and/or recommended for expulsion.

4. If the student does not admit to the use of alcohol and/or drugs and the staff member(s) in charge,

after talking to the student, still believes that the student used or was/is under the use or influence

of alcohol and/or drugs, an investigation will be conducted, which may include a search of the

student’s locker, car, desk, or any other school property used by the student. In addition, law

enforcement will be called immediately as will be the parent/guardian. The student will be

suspended from school pending an investigation. If the investigation shows that, more likely than

not, the student used or was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, a recommendation f

expulsion may be made to the Board of Trustees. The student will be entitled to full due process

prior to being expelled from school.

Only persons who have a “need to know” may receive information regarding a voluntary disclosure, except when

deemed reasonably necessary to protect the health and safety of others.

Resources

When a student admits to using alcohol or drugs or is reasonably suspected of doing so, the student’s

parent/guardian will be notified of available opportunities for counseling for the student.

When a student is expelled for such substance use, the Board may require, as a condition of readmission, that the

student undergo assessment and counseling for alcohol and/or drug use if qualified District staff are available to

provide these services.

The District shall provide written annual notification of the voluntary disclosure provisions of this policy as well as

counseling availability and any other pertinent information in the student handbook or other reasonable means.

The Board shall review this policy annually.

Legal Reference: I.C. § 33-210 Attendance at Schools - Students Using or Under the Influence of

Alcohol or Controlled Substances.

IC § 33-6000 Parental Rights

IC 37-2732C Using or Being Under the Influence - Penalties

IDAPA 08.02.03.160 Safe Environment and Discipline

Pub. L. 100-690 The Anti-Drug Act of 1988 (as amended)

Cross References

Code Description

3330 Student Discipline

3340 Corrective Actions and Punishment

3340 Corrective Actions and Punishment

3370 Searches and Seizure

3370 Searches and Seizure

3518 Treatment of Opioid Overdoses

Policy History:

Adopted on: 04/25/2009

Revised on: 08/23/2016

Revised on: 07/17/2018

Revised on: 01/26/2021

Revised on: 9/24/2024