_Recommendation #5_:
Establish clear and specific rules regarding drug use that include
strong corrective actions.
School policies should clearly establish that drug use, possession, and
sale on the school grounds and at school functions will not be
tolerated. These policies should apply to both students and school
personnel, and may include prevention, intervention, treatment, and
disciplinary measures.
School policies should:
. Specify what constitutes a drug offense by defining (1) illegal
substances and paraphernalia, (2) the area of the school's
jurisdiction, for example, the school property, its surroundings,
and all school-related events, such as proms and football games,
and (3) the types of violations (drug possession, use, and sale).
. State the consequences for violating school policy; as appropriate,
punitive action should be linked with treatment and counseling.
Measures that schools have found effective in dealing with
first-time offenders include:
--a required meeting of parents and the student with school
officials, concluding with a contract signed by the student and
parents in which (1) they acknowledge a drug problem, (2) the
student agrees not to use drugs, and to participate in drug
counseling or a rehabilitation program.
--suspension, assignment to an alternative school, in-school
suspension, after-school or Saturday detention with close
supervision and demanding academic assignments.
--referral to a drug treatment expert or counselor.
--notification of police.
Penalties for repeat offenders and for sellers may include
expulsion, legal action, and referral for treatment.
. Describe procedures for handling violations, including:
--legal issues associated with disciplinary
actions--confidentiality, due process, and search and
seizure--and how they apply.
--responsibilities and procedures for reporting suspected
incidents that identify the proper authorities to be contacted
and the circumstances under which incidents should be reported.
--procedures for notifying parents when their child is suspected
of or caught with drugs.
--procedures for notifying police.
. Enlist legal counsel to ensure that the policy is drafted in
compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws.
. Build community support for the policy. Hold open meetings where
views can be aired and differences resolved.
Eastside High School,
Paterson, New Jersey
Eastside High School is located in an inner-city neighborhood and
enrolls 3,200 students. Before 1982, drug dealing was rampant.
Intruders had easy access to the school and sold drugs on the school
premises. Drugs were used in school stairwells and bathrooms. Gangs
armed with razors and knives roamed the hallways.
A new principal, Joe Clark, was instrumental in ridding the school of
drugs and violence. Hired in 1982, Clark established order, enlisted
the help of police officers in drug prevention education, and raised
academic standards. Among the actions he took were:
. Establishing and enforcing strict penalties for breaking the
discipline code. In reference to drugs, he stated emphatically,
"If you're smoking or dealing, you're out." He acted on his
warning, removing 300 students from the roll in his first year
for discipline and drug-related violations.
. Increasing the involvement of local police officers, known as the
"Brothers in Blue," who visited the school regularly to speak to
students about the importance of resisting drugs.
. Raising academic standards and morale by emphasizing the importance
of doing well, requiring a "C" average for participation in
athletics, and honoring student achievements.
As a result of actions such as these, Eastside has been transformed.
Today there is no evidence of drug use in the school. Intruders no
longer have access to the school; hallways and stairwells are safe.
Academic performance has improved substantially: in 1981-82, only 56
percent of the 9th graders passed the State's basic skills test in
math; in 1984-85, 91 percent passed. In reading, the percentage of 9th
graders passing the State basic skills test rose from 40 percent in
1981-82 to 67 percent in 1984-85.