Procedure #3010
Minnesota State Academies
Faribault Minnesota
MINNESOTA STATE ACADEMIES
Student Substance Abuse Procedure
1. PURPOSE
The Minnesota State Academies are committed to helping students realize their full
potential. It is widely know that the use of mood altering chemicals can interfere with
attaining this goal because involvement with chemicals can impair ability to learn
and function. The primary responsibility for helping students who are involved with
chemicals lies with their parents. However, the MSA seeks to work with parents in
efforts of education, prevention, intervention and, when necessary, treatment.
2. NEED
The Minnesota State Academies seek to provide a chemically free and healthy
environment for all students. In keeping with this goal, the following procedure will
be in effect for all students at the Academies.
3. POLICY
This policy will deal with mood altering chemicals in four scenarios, 1) suspected
use, 2) witnessed use or distribution, 3) overdose and 4) recovery support.
Part 1: Suspected use—A student suspected of using mood-altering chemicals by a
staff member.
A. The staff member should document behaviors which cause the suspicion and
also any conversation with the student.
B. The staff member should contact supervisor/on-call administrator for further
evaluation.
C. The supervisor/on-call administrator is responsible for:
1) Contacting medical or support services personnel as needed for
assessment.
2) Contacting/working with local law enforcement for search of premises if
deemed necessary.
3) Notify parent/guardians by phone as soon as possible.
4) Notify superintendent.
5) In conjunction with staff involved in incident, make a referral to the Child
Study Team on incident report form (Appendix A).
D. The Child Study Team (CST) will be responsible for follow up and preassessment of the problem. The CST will be responsible for communicating
its activity to the referring person and for any internal or external referrals.
1-3010 Student Substance Abuse
Procedure #3010
Minnesota State Academies
Faribault Minnesota
Part 2: Witnessed Use/Distribution—A staff member who witnesses chemical use
and/or distribution by a student and/or witnesses a student in possession of
paraphernalia.
A. Staff Responsibility
1) Immediately inform student of the observed violation
2) If possible, confiscate the chemical and/or the evidence substantiating
its use. When possible, a second staff should be present.
3) Student should be escorted to Director/Residential Director’s office.
During evening/nighttime hours, on–call administrator should be
contacted.
4) Any evidence should be given to the Director/Residential director/oncall administrator.
B. The Director/Residential Director/On-call Administrator should take the
following immediate action:
1) Contact health clinic staff to assess student’s physical condition in
order to determine if medical assistance is necessary.
2) The following will be notified as soon as possible:
i. Superintendent
ii. Law enforcement authority
iii. Parents/Guardians
3) A referral will be made to the Child Study Team.
4) After confirming the fact of the use/distribution, the student should be
suspended according to the correc6t suspension procedures.
Part 3: Overdose
A. Students with apparent or possible chemical overdoes represent a medical
emergency. Secure assistance by contacting the nurse (when on duty).
Follow procedure #7101 Life Threatening Emergencies.
B. At first possible opportunity, contact Director/Residential Director/On-call
administrator.
C. Following the handling of the life threatening emergency, the portion of this
procedure governing “witnessed chemical use” will be implemented.
Part 4: Recovery—The Minnesota State Academies is willing to be of support to
recovering students. The Academies can be of support in the following ways:
2-3010 Student Substance Abuse
Procedure #3010
Minnesota State Academies
Faribault Minnesota
A. The school staff will work with treatment program staff and parents in
developing and implementing an aftercare plan.
B. The academies can provide contact people for the student to meet with and
also counseling services.
C. The opportunity exists to develop and monitor abstinence contracts or other
types of agreements intended to assist in the recovery process.
Brad Harper, Superintendent
Minnesota State Academies
Reviewer:
Date Originated:
Date Revised:
Date Revised:
Directors
7-1-1996
4-22-1999
11-7-2012
3-3010 Student Substance Abuse