Policy Issues
Beyond Zero Tolerance: Effective School Alcohol/Drug Policy
Attend a keg party on Saturday, suspended from the team on Tuesday? Who gets to decide? Who keeps the records? School drug/alcohol policies can help protect student health and safety, but sometimes they have unintended implications, particularly if they are somewhat vague. We will discuss policies, consequences, procedures, record-keeping; examine case studies, explore sensitive issues and liability. Learn to prepare and implement your policy for maximum effectiveness. Bring your alcohol/drug policies to this session.
Objectives: At the end of this session, the participant will be able to:
• Recognize specific components of effective policies
• Outline specific procedures to enhance policy effectiveness
• Recognize at least 2 mistakes that could expose schools to ridicule or lawsuit
• Identify specific policy sections that need review and improvement
Drugs in School—Now What?
A small sandwich bag half-filled with dried, crushed greenish plant material is found in the 2nd floor boys bathroom. Oregano? Marijuana? How do you know and what do you do? Where does this bag go? This session will focus on issues and procedures to deal with suspected contraband in the school setting.
Objectives: At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to
• Identify specific steps for dealing with suspected substances
• Explain at least 3 purposes of written guidelines for dealing with substances
• Replicate 2 techniques for safety and safe-keeping of suspected substances
Student Drug Testing News & Notes
Court rulings have paved the way for schools to consider random drug testing programs for students who participate in extra-curricular activities. This workshop will differentiate between random and “for suspicion” testing; provide information about drug testing techniques; and outline the process of adopting drug-testing policies and procedures. We will explore some of the benefits, liabilities and limitations of adopting a drug-testing program in the school setting.
Objectives: At the end of this session, the participant will be able to:
• Describe drugs commonly screened by urine analysis
• Summarize benefits, liabilities and limitations of student drug testing
• Outline procedures for schools to open dialogue within the community about student drug testing
• Identify issues, policies and procedures to be addressed prior to instituting a student drug testing program
Straight Talk About Hazing
This session will explore a range of issues related to hazing. It includes definitions, scope of the problem today and in the past, and an overview of practices often associated with hazing, perspectives on the nature and purposes of hazing, and the impact of hazing on people and organizations. Policy and prevention will be discussed.
Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Discuss relationships between hazing and group membership
• Contrast hazing and bullying
• Outline policies and prevention strategies