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Brockton Public Schools
School Committee Policy
DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE BY STUDENTS
1. Alcohol Use by Students:
The use or possession of alcoholic beverages or other intoxicants in or on school property is
strictly prohibited. Attendance at school events while under the influence of alcohol or
intoxicants is also prohibited.
2. Controlled Substances:
The School Drug policy for Brockton is founded upon the concept that the role of the school
is basically educational and rehabilitative. However, in order to safeguard the individual and
general welfare and safety of the school, the school must at times initiate medical,
psychological, social and legal safeguards in the case of drug abuse.
No one may hold, possess, distribute, sell, or ingest a controlled substance on the premises of
any Brockton Public School.
Search - Under the circumstances of a clear and present danger to an individual and general
well being and/or to the maintenance of discipline and order in the school, the principal and/or
his/her designee shall have the right and duty to inspect students' lockers and desks and the
contents therein without prior judicial authorization or police participation.
The principal and/or his/her designee can search students as long as they have reasonable
grounds to believe that the search will yield evidence of violation either of the law or of
school rules.
Rights of Students - The questioning of a student by a teacher or on school premises will be
done only in the presence of a designated school official. Every effort will be made to include
the parent or guardian of a student in any hearing that carries an implication of the possible
allegation of guilt or the furnishing of information leading to an indictment. The student's
right to remain silent or to speak through an attorney or parent may not be abridged.
Legal Penalties - These will be a matter of court jurisdiction.
Disciplinary Action
1.
Use of controlled substance
a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
Notification of parents
Mandatory parental conference
Five-day suspension
Enrollment in a rehabilitation program
Possession of a controlled substance
a.
b.
c.
d.
Notification of parents
Notification of narcotics bureau for possible action
Mandatory parental conference
Five-day suspension
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e. Enrollment in a rehabilitation program
3.
Distribution and/or sale of a controlled substance
a.
b.
c.
d.
4.
Notification of parents
Notification of narcotics bureau for possible action
Immediate suspension for ten days
Referral to School Committee for possible expulsion
A student apprehended with a controlled substance for a second time will automatically
be referred to the School Committee for possible expulsion.
It should be noted that under Massachusetts law, counterfeit substances are to be treated the
same as the actual drug.
Confidentiality - In all instances where the principal or his/her designee has received
information of drug involvement on the part of a student, steps should be taken to advise the
student that his/her parents would have to be notified and consulted about further actions that
are appropriate in the particular situation.
School Related Activities - occasionally a student may disrupt a school function or activity by
an acutely abnormal or bizarre personality display. If the disruption persists and no reason can
be determined for the obvious and sudden personality change, the parent and/or doctor should
be called immediately. All drug policies adopted for the regular school day are in force during
all school related activities including behavior on school buses.
Controlled Substance Health Emergencies
An emergency situation exists when:
 a student has been rendered unconscious
 a student verbally or physically threatens harm to himself/herself or others
 a student exhibits an abnormal lack of coordination so as to possibly injure
himself/herself or others
Suggested procedures for school staff:

All Personnel - The student should at no time be left unattended. If there is suspicion
of the use of controlled or narcotic drugs, be prepared to advise, if warranted by the
specific circumstances of the emergency, the school principal or medical. Staff
members should release no statement of any type to the news media.

Teacher - Immediately involve the school nurse, giving her all pertinent information.
Be prepared to discuss facts and impressions, carefully distinguishing between the
two. Keep a written record of the incident.

School Nurse - Take appropriate steps to notify the student's parents via the
administrator in charge. If a critical health situation is involved, consult the family
physician and/or school physician. Attempt to determine whether drug use is an
isolated instance or part of a pattern. If controlled or narcotic drugs are involved, be
prepared to advise the appropriate school official with pertinent facts if circumstances
so indicate. Keep appropriate records.

School Principal - Be sure parents are immediately notified of circumstances. The
Deputy Superintendent of Schools should be alerted and kept fully informed. Arrange
for whatever conferences may be needed. Maintain necessary records.
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Misuse - In every case where a student is required to take medication in school, a parent or
guardian shall refer to and follow the regulations regarding the taking of medication in school.
In this way the student himself/herself will have no justification for having medication of any
kind on his/her person. Therefore, any medication found on a student's person will constitute a
violation of the school policies and regulations.
Abuse - If it is suspected that a student is abusing drugs, a careful evaluation of the student,
his/her progress and actions, should be made to determine if this is so. Referral to the Senior
Director of Pupil Personnel should be made to evaluate the entire situation, with
recommendations for special education, homebound instruction, and possible disciplinary
action being considered. If counseling is indicated, qualified members of the Pupil Personnel
staff should provide it.
Services Available - A variety of pupil services are available to the students of the Brockton
Public Schools. These include counseling, social casework, psychiatric and psychological
referral.
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