TCDSB Policy Register     

SAFE SCHOOLS

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE Policy S.S.03

Policy 

1.                  The Toronto Catholic District School Board recognizes that alcohol and other drug abuse is a problem in society and acknowledges its potential mentally and physically harmful effects on pupils as well as on their ability to learn. 

2.                  The Toronto Catholic District School Board does not tolerate during school, or at Board-sponsored events, the use, possession, or trafficking in by students, of any substance which is unlawful under statute or regulation of Ontario, Canada, or Board policy.  

3.                  The Toronto Catholic District School Board will address student alcohol and drug use by implementing:  

(a)                a comprehensive curriculum designed to prevent alcohol and drug-related problems;  

(b)               a process for identification of, and early intervention into, problems among students for whom preventive efforts have been unsuccessful; and  

(c)                fair disciplinary action regarding alcohol and drug related infractions.  

Regulations: 

1.                  DEFINITION  

In the term "alcohol and drugs", alcohol is underscored as the drug most often used by students and most responsible for drug-related problems. The term "drug use" refers to drugs other than alcohol and includes tobacco, illicit drugs, inhalants, and prescription drugs used without the authority of a physician. It does not include drugs prescribed by a physician or over-the-counter medications used with the permission of a parent or legal guardian in the case of students under the age of 18.  

2.                  PREVENTATIVE CURRICULUM 

The Toronto Catholic District School Board recognizes the role of drug education in reducing alcohol and other drug related problems; therefore, the drug education curriculum will:  

(a)                Be given a high level priority with regard to development and implementation;

(b)               Contain specific objectives for each grade and will extend from primary to secondary levels;

(c)                Be linked to the developmental stages of the student and cross-referenced with patterns of student alcohol and other drug use;

(d)               Be incorporated into various subject areas, cover a wide range of topics, and be supplemented by an associated set of informal activities;

(e)                Be developed by a committee under the jurisdiction of the Curriculum and Accountability Department

(f)                 and include representative experts from outside agencies; and

(g)                Be evaluated regularly and revised as necessary. 

3.                  INTERVENTION 

The early intervention program will identify, respond, and provide early assistance to students who are experiencing problems related to alcohol and other drugs. In order to meet the goals and objectives of early intervention the Board will:  

(a)                Acquaint all appropriate staff with the procedures to be followed when dealing with alcohol and other drug related situations;  

(b)               Familiarize all appropriate staff with the signs and symptoms of alcohol and other drug use/or abuse by students;  

(c)                Train appropriate staff in assessment, counselling and referral skills relating to alcohol and other drug use/abuse by students; and 

(d)               Inform all students and their parents of the existence of the early intervention programs and how to gain access. 

4.                  REHABILITATION COUNSELLING 

The Toronto Catholic District School Board will continue to:  

(a)                Respond to the needs of students with alcohol and other drug related problems or concerns;  

(b)               Support, and co-operate with, appropriate agencies with regard to referral, counselling and rehabilitation programs for students with alcohol and other drug related problems or concerns;  

(c)                Recognize that the provision of counselling and rehabilitative programs for those who abuse alcohol and other drugs rests primarily with community services; and  

(d)               Support students who seek rehabilitation and assistance.  

5.                  DISCIPLINARY ACTION 

(a)                The Toronto Catholic District School Board prohibits the use of alcohol or drugs by students while on Board property or at events sponsored by the Board and its constituent schools. The possession of these substances, with the exception of tobacco and tobacco products, is also prohibited. [Note: While students over sixteen years of age may legally possess tobacco, this provision recognizes that the Toronto Catholic District School Board prohibits its use on school property or at school-sponsored events.] However, school sponsored events not held on Board property are governed by the standards established for that particular location. 

(b)               Should a student be found in possession of a substance which is legally prohibited, the substance will be confiscated for appropriate disposal by the principal. 

(c)                In all cases where confiscated materials are to be destroyed, the consent of the student, parent, or legal guardian if appropriate, must first be obtained in the presence of at least two Board employees before a Board agent destroys the substance. If such permission is not forthcoming, the substance will be turned over to the parent/guardian or police as deemed appropriate by the principal. Where permission is given, the material will be destroyed in the presence of the student and one other Board employee.  

(d)               Violations can occur in five ways:  

(i)                  Use of tobacco or tobacco products;

(ii)                Use or possession of alcohol;

(iii)               Use of inhalants for the purpose of intoxication;

(iv)              Use or possession of illicit drugs; and

(v)                Intoxication by alcohol or other drugs.  

Specific sanctions will apply to each type of violation.  

(e)                In each case where a student has committed a breach of the regulations outlined in this policy, the principal will document the incident. This documentation will be kept in a confidential manner.  

(i)                  THE USE OF TOBACCO OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS 

When a violation of the Tobacco Control Act occurs, the following procedures will be followed: 

(a)                After informing the offender of the violation, and the consequences thereof, the witness to the violation will complete an Ontario Tobacco Control Act: Report of Offence form; 

(b)               The administrator will fax a copy of the Report of Offence form to the Toronto Public Health – Tobacco Enforcement Officials’ Office; 

(c)                An administrator will contact parents of students 18 years and under once the Report of Offence form has been submitted to Toronto Public Health; 

(d)               The Tobacco Enforcement Officer will meet with the student in the presence of an administrator to ticket or provide a summons to the offending individual(s); 

(e)                Once a student or Board employee has been charged under the Ontario Tobacco Control Act, they will be provided with information about cessation assistance programs by the administrators of the school or the designated Board officials; 

(f)                 Secondary schools administrators will collaborate with the City of Toronto Tobacco Enforcement Officials to provide information for parents and students concerning the Tobacco Control Act and how this Act affects students.  The Health and Physical Education Department will work with Toronto Public Health and the tobacco enforcement officials to create a unified policy in regards to protocol for enforcing the Tobacco Control Act in the Toronto Catholic District Secondary schools. 

(ii)                USE OR POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL  

Sanctions regarding the use or possession of alcohol by a student are governed by the Safe Schools Act.  In cases of use or possession of alcohol: 

(a)                The student will be informed that his/her behaviour is in contravention of the Safe Schools Act and Board Policy; 

(b)               In the case of students under the age of 18, parents or legal guardians shall be informed of the infraction as soon as possible; 

(c)                The alcohol will be confiscated and held for appropriate disposal, as outlined in regulation 5.c) hereof.  If necessary, the police will be contacted for assistance; 

(d)               The student will be suspended.  Procedures and guidelines for this suspension will be maintained in accordance with the Safe Schools Act. 

(iii)               USE OF INHALANTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTOXICATION  

(a)                The student will be informed that his/her behaviour is in contravention of the Safe Schools Act and Board Policy;  

(b)               The student will be advised that further disciplinary action will be taken for a subsequent infraction and is asked to acknowledge that he/she understands; 

(c)                In the case of students under the age of 18, parents or legal guardians will be informed of the infraction as soon as possible. The life threatening consequences of the use of the inhalants will be explained to parents or guardians and student; 

(d)               The inhalant will be confiscated, and held for disposal as outlined in regulation 5.c) hereof; 

(e)                The student may be required to complete a special assignment related to the infraction; 

(f)                 The student will be suspended from school and/or school related activities as determined by the Principal; 

(g)                The student will be referred to a counsellor or a Social Worker.  If further assistance is indicated, the student will be advised to attend follow up sessions which may include referral to outside agencies. 

(iv)              USE OR POSSESSION OF ILLICIT DRUGS  

Sanctions regarding the use or possession of illicit drugs are governed by the Safe Schools Act.  In cases of use or possession of illicit drugs: 

(a)                The student will be informed that his/her behaviour is in contravention of the Safe Schools Act and Board Policy; 

(b)               The police will be called for assistance in accordance with the Police/School Board protocol; 

(c)                In the case of students under the age of 18, parents or legal guardians will be informed of the infraction, as soon as possible; 

(d)               The illicit drugs will be confiscated, and held for disposal according to the procedures outlined below. 

(e)                Any Board employee who obtains possession of illicit drugs while on duty on behalf of the Board, will forthwith place the material in a container which will then be sealed.  The material used to seal the container must be initialled by the finder, one other Board employee and the student, where practical.  The police are notified, and arrangements will be made for the proper disposal of the substance.  A record of the substance will be made by the principal; 

(f)                 The student will be referred to a counsellor or a social worker for a preliminary interview.  If further assistance is indicated, the student will be advised to attend follow-up sessions which may include referral to outside agencies; 

(g)                The student will be suspended.  Procedures and guidelines for this suspension will be maintained in accordance with the Safe Schools Act. 

(v)                STUDENTS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR ILLICIT DRUGS 

Sanctions regarding students who are found to be under the influence of alcohol are governed by the Safe Schools Act.  In cases where students are found to be under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs: 

(a)                The student will be detained at the school (or the event) under the supervision of a Board employee in order to ensure his/her safety.  If the student refuses to stay under supervision, the police will be called for assistance.  In cases where the student is under the age of 18, parents or legal guardians not be available, attempts are made to find other responsible adults who can take the student home or provide care.  If no other option is available, the student is to be taken to a detoxification centre, or hospital, in order to ensure his/her safety.  In cases where the student is over the age of 18, attempts will be made to ensure safety; 

(b)               That the regulation for the disposal of alcohol or illicit drugs will be followed; 

(c)                That the student will be suspended.  Procedures and guidelines for this suspension will be maintained in accordance with the Safe Schools Act. 

(vi)       TRAFFICKING/SUPPLYING OF ALCOHOL OR ILLICIT DRUGS  

Sanctions regarding trafficking and/or supplying of alcohol or illicit drugs are governed by the Safe Schools Act.  In cases where the use or possession or alcohol is for the purpose of trafficking/supplying 

(a)                The police shall be called to investigate (in accordance with the Police/School Board protocol); 

(b)               The student shall be suspended (pending expulsion) in accordance with the procedures and guidelines as outlined in the Safe Schools Act.