ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION - 5131.6
A districtwide Substance Abuse Prevention Education Program, to be developed in conjunction with guidelines approved by the State Board of Education, shall be offered as a comprehensive program of experiences designed to meet the needs of individual students.
Prevention and Intervention
Prevention and intervention programs and activities may include, but are not limited to: (20 USC 7118)
1. Evidence-based drug and violence prevention activities and programs that educate students against the use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, smokeless tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes
2. Professional development and training for school staff, specialized instructional support personnel, and interested community members on drug prevention, education, early identification, intervention mentoring, recovery support services, and, where appropriate, rehabilitation referral
3. School-based mental health services, including early identification of drug use and referrals to counseling services, and/or partnerships with public or private health care entities that have qualified mental and behavioral health professionals
4. Programs and activities that provide mentoring and school counseling to all students, including students who are at risk of drug use and abuse
District staff shall intervene whenever students use alcohol or other illegal drugs while on school property or under school jurisdiction. Staff members who have a reasonable suspicion that a student may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall immediately notify the principal or designee.
If the principal or designee, in his/her professional capacity or in the course of his/her employment, knows, observes or suspects that a student may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he/she may notify the parent/guardian.
School staff shall not disclose confidential information provided during counseling by a student 12 years of age or older. A school counselor may report such information to the principal or parent/guardian only when he/she believes that disclosure is necessary to avert a clear and present danger to the health, safety or welfare of the student or other persons living in the school community. The school counselor shall not disclose such information to the parent/guardian if he/she believes that the disclosure would result in a clear and present danger to the student's health, safety or welfare.
Instruction
The District shall provide science-based preventative instruction which has been proven effective in helping students avoid the use of alcohol and other drugs.
All instruction and related materials shall consistently state that unlawful use of alcohol or other drugs is prohibited. Instruction shall not include any message on responsible use of drugs or alcohol when such use is illegal. (Health and Safety Code 11999.2)
The District shall offer staff development activities for staff who implement the comprehensive drug and alcohol prevention and intervention program.
Students in grades 7-12 shall receive a lesson on the effects of steroids as part of their health, physical education, or drug education program.
The Superintendent or designee shall inform school staff, students, and parents/guardians about early warning signs which may indicate alcohol and other drug use and about appropriate agencies offering intervention programs, counseling, referral, and other student assistance programs.
The Board strongly encourages any student who is using alcohol or drugs to discuss the matter with his/her parent/guardian or with any staff member. Students who disclose their use of alcohol or other drugs when seeking help from an intervention or recovery program shall not be disciplined for such use.
PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT SUBSTANCES
The Irvine Unified School District encourages student behaviors and practices that promote and maintain good physical health.
School personnel, including coaches, shall not sell, distribute, or promote to students performance-enhancing dietary supplements, including those that promote muscle-building.
Coaches shall educate students about the District's prohibition and the dangers of using steroids and other performance-enhancing supplements, as defined by the NCAA.
Before participating in interscholastic athletics, a student athlete and his/her parent/guardian shall sign an agreement that the student athlete pledges not to use androgenic/anabolic steroids and dietary supplements banned by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the substance synephrine, unless the student has a written prescription from a licensed health care practitioner to treat a medical condition.
The principal or designee shall ensure that the following warning, reproduced in 10-point bold type, shall be posted in every locker room of schools with classes in grades 7-12 and shall be contained in any contracts for the lease or rental of the school's athletic facilities (Civil Code 1812.97):
Warning: Use of steroids to increase strength or growth can cause serious health problems. Steroids can keep teenagers from growing to their full height; they can also cause heart disease, stroke, and damage liver function. Men and women using steroids may develop fertility problems, personality changes, and acne. Men can also experience premature balding and development of breast tissue. These health hazards are in addition to the civil and criminal penalties for unauthorized sale, use, or exchange of anabolic steroids.
PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS INVOLVED IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE
It is the intent of the Irvine Unified School District to provide a safe, alcohol and drug free environment for all students. Acts for which students may be disciplined by school officials may occur on school property, or while going to or from school, or while engaged in or attending a school activity.
District staff shall intervene whenever students use alcohol or other illegal substances while on school grounds or under school jurisdiction. Staff members who have a reasonable suspicion that a student may be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, intoxicants of any kind, or any other controlled substance shall immediately notify the principal or designee.
Alcohol, Cannabis, and Other Controlled Substances
The provisions of this section shall apply to alcohol and other drug use violations including, but not limited to, using, possessing, distributing, manufacturing, or being under the influence of a controlled substance or any intoxicant.
First Violation (Other than Distributing or Manufacturing)
A. Disciplinary Action: The first violation for using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, an intoxicant, or any other controlled substance shall result in: suspension from school, participation in an online Alcohol and Drug Intervention Program, and completion of an intake session with a Wellness Coordinator. During the intake session, the Wellness Coordinator will triage the level of support needed to include, but not be limited to: Support group through District intervention programs, direct site counseling support, and/or outside referral for more intensive specialized intervention.
Student may be suspended from all school-sponsored activities (athletic teams, performing arts events, clubs, and all other school-sponsored activities) for 10 school days. If there is a performance on a weekend day or a vacation day in which the student would otherwise have been an active participant that performance date, the performance day may count as one of the days of the extra-curricular activity suspension. The principal may recommend an extended suspension for participation in student activities.
B. Police Report: The principal or principal's designee shall follow all applicable state and federal laws with respect to reporting requirements for alcohol, drugs, intoxicants, or other controlled substances on school campuses or school related instances where material is found that is suspected of being a controlled substance, it shall be turned over to law enforcement officials.
C. Parent Notification: The principal or principal's designee shall notify the student's parent or guardian of a) the suspension, b) the guidelines for the online drug and alcohol education course, and request parent participation and c) the fact that the student may have the opportunity to make up his/her work.
Second Violation (Other than Distributing or Manufacturing)
A. Disciplinary Action: The second and any subsequent violation for using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or any other controlled substances, shall result in progressive disciplinary consequences and/or interventions to change student behaviors that are considered at-risk, including suspension from all school activities (athletic teams, performing arts events, clubs, and all other school sponsored activities) for the remainder of the school year.
B. Police Report: The principal or principal's designee shall follow all applicable state and federal laws with respect to reporting requirements for alcohol, drugs, intoxicants, or other controlled substances on school campuses or school related activities to law enforcement officials.
C. Parent Notification: The principal or principal’s designee shall notify the student’s parent or guardian of the suspension and all applicable recommended interventions and progressive disciplinary consequences, including a possible recommendation for expulsion.
Violation Involving Distributing or Provision of Alcohol, Cannabis, or any Other Controlled Substance
A. Disciplinary Action: A violation involving distributing or provision of a controlled substance shall result in suspension from school for five days, and a recommendation for expulsion by the principal.
B. Police Report: The principal or principal's designee shall follow all applicable state and federal laws with respect to reporting requirements for alcohol, drugs, intoxicants, or other controlled substances on school campuses or school related activities. In instances where material is found that is suspected of being a controlled substance, it shall be turned over to law enforcement officials.
C. Parent Notification: The principal or principal’s designee shall notify the student’s parent or guardian of the suspension and all applicable interventions.
Performance Enhancement Substances
The Irvine Unified School District places high value on student behaviors and practices that promote and maintain good physical health.
School personnel, including coaches, shall not sell, distribute, or promote to students performance-enhancing dietary supplements, including those that promote muscle-building.
Coaches shall educate students about the District's prohibition and the dangers of using steroids and other performance-enhancing supplements, as defined by the NCAA.
Before participating in interscholastic athletics, a student athlete and his/her parent/guardian shall sign an agreement that the student athlete shall not use steroids, unless the student has a written prescription from a physician fully licensed in the State of California, and recognized by the American Medical Association, to treat a medical condition.
Definitions
1. "Controlled substance" shall be defined as including anabolic steroids, imitation controlled substances including nonalcoholic beer, cannabis, intoxicants including alcohol and inhalants, any prescription, nonprescription drug not authorized as medication, or any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 commencing with Section 11053 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code.
2. "Distributing or Provision" shall be deemed to include giving, trading, or selling or intending or attempting to do so.
3. "Inhalants" shall be defined as chemicals such as solvents, aerosol sprays, and nitrites that, when breathed, produce psychoactive effects.
4. "Paraphernalia" refers to equipment associated with the use or sale of controlled substances including, but not limited to, balances, bongs, needles, etc.
5. "Imitation controlled substance" shall be defined as any substance, including nonalcoholic beer, that, by dosage-unit appearance, including color shape, size, and markings, or by representations made, would lead a reasonable person to believe that the substance is a controlled substance.
Legal Reference:
Education Code
44049 Known or suspected alcohol or drug abuse by student
48900 Suspension or expulsion (grounds)
48900.5 Suspension, limitation or imposition; exception
48901 Smoking and possession of tobacco on school premises
48909 Narcotics or other hallucinogenic drugs
49423 Administration of prescribed medication
49480 Notice to school by parent or guardian; consultation with physician
49602 Confidentiality of pupil information
51260-51269 Drug Education
51262 Use of Anabolic Steroids
Civil Code
1812.98 Performance Enhancement Substance Warning Statement
Health and Safety Code
110423.2 Dietary Supplements
11357 Marijuana possession fines and punishment; one ounce distinction
11361.5 Records of arrest or conviction; timely destruction of; hearings to order; methods of destruction; official consequences of marijuana arrests to terminate with records thereof
California Interscholastic Foundation Bylaw 524
Revised November 1998
Revised October 2005
Revised: October 16, 2018