JFCI - Student Substance Abuse
STUDENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
In order to ensure the highest possible standards of learning as well as the safety, health, and well-being of students, the School Committee endorses a substance abuse policy which will aid students to abstain from the use of drugs/alcohol, intervene early when use is detected, take corrective disciplinary action when necessary, and provide aftercare support. Compliance with the school system’s standards of conduct related to substance abuse is mandatory.
Students are prohibited from consuming, possessing, furnishing, selling, receiving, buying, or being under the influence of prohibited substances in school or at any school sponsored, organized, or associated function or on any property, facility, or vehicle owned or operated by or for the Acton School Department. It is not a violation for a student to use in school a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor and taken in accordance with the policy for the administration of medicine to students.
The term “prohibited substance” shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Alcohol;
2. Scheduled drugs (as defined in 17-A M.R.S.A. SS 1101);
3. Any substance which can affect or change a student’s mental, physical or
behavior pattern, including but not limited to volatile materials such as
glue, paint, or aerosols, when possessed for the purpose of inhalation, or
steroids;
4. Paraphernalia - implements used for distribution or consumption of a
prohibited substance; or
5. Applies to electronic cigarettes and other devices designed to deliver nicotine inhalation or “vaping” or used to simulate smoking;
6. Any substance that is described or is purported to be a prohibited
substance (as defined in 17-A M.R.S.A. SS 1101).
PREVENTION
The Acton School Department will provide students with information and activities focused on preventing students from using alcohol and drugs.
INTERVENTION
The Acton School Department will establish and maintain an assistance program, through a team approach, to aid students who are chemically involved to successfully address their harmful involvement with chemicals and to continue in a school program.
DISCIPLINE
Students will be subject to suspension, expulsion, or other corrective measure for
unlawfully possessing, using, selling or otherwise furnishing, or being under the influence of any controlled substance listed in Title 17-A, Section 1101 MRSA, alcoholic beverages, or an intoxicant of any kind, or either selling, delivering, or otherwise furnishing to any person another liquid, substance, or material and representing the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.
AFTERCARE
The Acton School Department, through an assistance program, will work cooperatively with the student, parent(s), and community treatment personnel to support an aftercare plan.
COMMUNICATION
This policy will be distributed to students and parents at the beginning of each school year, and to new students and parents throughout the school year, through appropriate means selected by the administration.
Legal Reference: Title 17A Section 1101 MRSA
Adopted: November 12, 1991
Revised: April 10, 2025