Public input on this draft document is welcome. Visit www.ugdsb.on.ca/policy or write to
Policy, UGDSB, 500 Victoria Rd. N., Guelph ON N1E 6K2. Deadline is April 13, 2016.
Alcohol and Drugs
Procedures Manual 513-A
Category:
Administered by:
First Adopted:
Revision History:
Next Review:
1.
Students
Superintendents of Education
April 2004
May 2016
2020-2021 School Year
General
The Board and schools recognize that the consumption of alcohol and drugs by
students can impair their health and well-being and can interfere with their ability
to learn and function in society. In addition, the Board and its schools
acknowledge that students who are under the influence of alcohol and drugs and
who attend school or school-sponsored events interfere with the legitimate
academic and co-instructional interests of other students and staff. The Board
and its schools are also opposed to the use of drugs to improve athletic
performance or enhance appearance as they result in unequal and unsafe sports
competition.
These procedures specify the ways schools will address the use of alcohol and
drugs by its students:
•
curriculum designed to increase awareness and prevent alcohol and
drug problems
•
providing access to support and interventions from Board staff and
community resources
•
encouraging students to seek help
•
through the administration of progressive discipline action with the goal
of protecting the health, safety and well-being of all students
The Upper Grand District School Board recognizes that addiction and the misuse
use of drugs or alcohol can be indicative of a mental health problem and may
need to be supported in the same manner as other mental health problems.
Addictions are not considered behavioural concerns but are mental health
concerns which are addressed with appropriate support and intervention.
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2.
Definitions
Drug
Drugs include illegal drugs, inhalants, appearance and performance enhancing
drugs (such as steroids), and prescription drugs used without the authority of a
physician. It does not include drugs prescribed by a physician and over-thecounter medications used with the permission of a parent or guardian, or alcohol
and tobacco.
Illegal drug
An illegal drug means a controlled substance which is prohibited under the
Controlled Drug and Substances Act.
Trafficking
Trafficking means to sell, administer, transfer, transport, send or deliver the
substance, to sell an authorization to obtain the substance and to offer anything
mentioned above (in respect of a drug, from the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act).
Under the Influence
Under the influence refers to the state of an individual who has consumed
alcohol or drugs that may affect his or her present behavior.
Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drug (APED)
Appearance and performance enhancing drugs (APEDs) include a wide range of
substances borrowed from a wide range of medical disciplines and associated
fields and have a long history in sport and competition (such as steroids).
School-based Mental Health Resources
Trained professionals and practitioners such as Child and Youth Counsellors,
Social Workers, and Psychological Consultants who are assigned to provide
mental health and addiction services to individual schools.
3.
Preventative Curriculum
3.1
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One of the goals of the Ontario Curriculum: Health and Physical
Education, 2015 (Grades 1-8 and Grades 9-12) is for students to develop
an understanding of the factors that contribute to healthy development, a
sense of personal responsibility for lifelong health, and an understanding
of how living healthy, active lives is connected with the world around them
and the health of others. The learning expectations related to substance
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use and abuse focus on an understanding of the effects of drugs –
prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, illicit drugs, tobacco, and
alcohol – and the consequences of their use. The curriculum is available
on the Ministry of Education website at www.edu.gov.on.ca.
3.2
Schools can endorse additional resources to supplement the Ontario
Curriculum, such as Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health resources,
local police resources and presentations, or resources from Ophea
(Ontario Physical and Health Education Association).
3.3
Schools will reinforce preventative programs by:
3.3.1 Offering consistent messages to students about the negative
consequences of the use of alcohol and drugs.
3.3.2 Sponsoring special events dedicated to student awareness of
healthy lifestyles.
3.3.3 Promoting the involvement of students in dedicated organizations.
3.3.4 Providing special assemblies, field trips and theatrical
performances designed to include healthy lifestyle choices based
on the Guidelines for Third-Party Programs and Presentations
Related to Mental Health (available on UGShare). The
implementation of these programs will be under the direction of the
Principal.
4.
Supportive Interventions
4.1
If a student voluntarily presents information with concerns about his or her
alcohol or drug use, this disclosure might not result in progressive
discipline as the student may be seeking assistance and support for a
mental health problem.
4.2
The student may be connected with the school-based mental health
resource.
4.3
Recommendations by the school-based mental health resource to modify
the student’s current academic program will be taken into consideration by
the school team.
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5.
4.4
The mental health resource can assist a student to make a referral to
community addiction/mental health support services or the student can be
provided with information to make a self-referral to these services.
4.5
Referrals to community addiction/mental health support services are
voluntary and the student must choose to engage in the referral or
treatment process.
4.6
If a staff member suspects that a student has a drug or alcohol problem,
the staff member should consult with the in-school mental health resource
as well as the school administration.
4.7
If a parent presents with a concern of the drug/alcohol use of their
son/daughter, the parent may be directed to the school mental health
resource to receive information on school-based and community addiction
and mental health support services for the student.
Progressive Discipline
5.1
Students regardless of age who commit infractions on Board property or at
Board-sponsored events will be subject to progressive discipline indicated
on the Incident Reference Charts (Appendices A and B). Principals may
choose not to suspend in cases where mitigating circumstances apply, as
defined in Safe Schools Procedures Manual 503-A (6.14 and 6.15).
5.2
Violations of this Policy and Procedures can occur in the following ways:
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•
use or possession of alcohol
•
use of inhalants for the purpose of intoxication
•
use or possession of illegal drugs
•
being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
•
trafficking or distribution of non-prescription or prescription drugs
•
giving alcohol to a minor
•
the use of appearance and performance enhancing drugs
(APEDs such as steroids)
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6.
Response to Violations that are not Addiction or Mental Health
Issues
6.1
Schools can respond to violations through a combination of support,
intervention and progressive discipline. Progressive discipline can be
guided by the attached charts (Appendices A and B).
6.2
The Principal may impose more severe sanctions in consultation with the
Superintendent of Education if a student has two (2) or more infractions.
These may include additional suspensions of up to twenty (20) days, and
the initiation of expulsion proceedings, as outlined in Safe Schools
Procedures Manual 503-A.
May 2016
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