7010 Substance Use and Student Wellness
Middletown
Policy
Policies
Middletown Public Schools No. 7010
Substance Use and Student Wellness
SUBSTANCE USE AND STUDENT WELLNESS
** PURPOSE**:
This policy is established for the purpose of setting forth the Middletown School Committee’s support of State and Federal law and regulation governing the possession and use of alcohol, inhalants and illicit drugs by Middletown school students. The Middletown School Committee cares about the health, safety and welfare of all our students. Further, to set forth the School Committee’s expectations in the event such use, or possession occurs on and off school property, at a school-sponsored activity or event, or in any way related to the conduct of program and activities of the Middletown School Department.
** PHILOSOPHY**:
Middletown is committed to keeping the youth of the community healthy and safe. To this end, this policy, based on research conducted by the American Athletic Institute, focuses on improving the academic, emotional and physical well-being of all our students. *Participation in athletics/extracurricular activities and/or student government is a privilege which should elicit great pride in the student and their family. It is also an acceptance of responsibility which requires an extra commitment. Standards of behavior are necessarily high and a willingness to meet these standards is a condition for being a member of our school community, one of our teams, and/or activities. *
NOTE: This policy covers ALL students attending the Middletown Public Schools. Research statistics substantiate that the use of alcohol, inhalants, illicit and synthetic drugs and pens MORE… and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), is a major social health problem in the United States. Substance abuse is a major hazard to both the user and non-user. The School Committee believes the following policy will address concerns of parents, students, law enforcement authorities, and community members
POLICY STATEMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS
The use, being under the influence of, intoxication, possession, production, or sale/distribution of alcohol, inhalants, illicit and synthetic drugs, and/or drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), associated with substance abuse and tobacco is prohibited within the Middletown school buildings, in school vehicles or on school grounds at any time, including school hours and school-sponsored activities. This policy also affects persons
within the established drug-free zones (on school property) during non-school hours, vacations, and all activities on-site, etc. It is prohibited under this policy for any student off school property to use, be under the influence of, be intoxicated by, possess, sell or distribute alcohol, inhalants, illicit drugs and tobacco as stated by Rhode Island State Law.
A drug-free zone has been established by the Office of the Attorney General to include any boundaries that mark the end of the school parameter. It is further stated by the Attorney General’s Office, persons convicted of distribution or manufacturing of a controlled substance on public school grounds shall be punished by a term of imprisonment or a fine or both, up to twice the amount as authorized by RIGL 21- 284.01 (A) or 21-28-4.07 and 23-20.9-5. This policy is inclusive and prohibits the use of illicit substances. Due process procedures governing suspension shall be adhered to.
I. POLICY EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
In order to ensure the highest possible standards of learning, as well as assuring the maintenance of the highest possible level of safety, health, and well-being for all students, the School Committee endorses a substance use, student safety and intervention policy which will: 1) Aid students to abstain from the use of alcohol, inhalants, illicit and synthetic drugs, ENDS, and tobacco; 2) Intervene early when student use is detected; 3) Take corrective disciplinary action where necessary and, 4) provide aftercare support for students. Students have the right to attend school in an environment free of alcohol, inhalants, illicit and synthetic drugs, and tobacco. Students are not to possess, produce, sell, distribute or consume alcohol, inhalants, illicit and synthetic drugs, unauthorized prescription or over-the-counter medication, drug-related paraphernalia, including tobacco and ENDS products. They shall not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs on school premises or at any school sponsored activity
A. __PREVENTION __
The School Department will provide students with information and activities focused on preventing students from using alcohol, inhalants, illicit and synthetic drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco, ENDS, and methods of consumption. Prevention activities will be centered on an instructional program, guidance and counseling, school climate, and family and community involvement.
B. __INTERVENTION __
The School Department will establish and maintain a student assistance program to aid students who are using substances, to successfully address their harmful behavior with substances and to continue in a school program.
C. __DISCIPLINE __
The consequences for violation of this Policy shall result in disciplinary action as defined in Policy 7114 Learning Environment Suspension/Expulsion and 7114R Memorandum of Understanding. Where violations of the law are involved, law enforcement agencies will be notified.
All offenses/violations/investigations will be conducted by the School and Central Administration.
Appeals of disciplinary procedures must be reviewed and approved by the School Principal or Superintendent of Schools.
D. AFTERCARE** **
The School Department will work cooperatively with the student, parent(s), and community treatment personnel, to support an aftercare plan. If the student has obtained treatment (inpatient or outpatient) as a result of their use of substances, the student must obtain medical clearance from his/her treating physician and provide a copy of the clearance to School Administration before he/she may participate in any extracurricular activities. Obtaining a clearance, however, does not alleviate the student from their responsibility to serve their consequence under Section II of this policy.
II. POLICY EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS OFF SCHOOL PROPERTY
Medical research substantiates that the use of alcohol and mood-altering substances produces harmful effects on the human body and will negatively affect physical, mental, and academic performance. Students cannot compromise academics or their participation in extracurricular activities with substance use. Students who experiment with such substances jeopardize health, success, reputation, program morale, and they do physical harm to themselves and risk personal injury and harm to others. Students must make the commitment to refrain from the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco and steroids as mandated by State law. Students are considered in violation of this policy if they use or are in the presence of, possess, consume (including being under the influences of) and/or distribute,
other than as prescribed by a physician for personal use, any controlled drug and/or intoxicant, tobacco or steroid at any time (see Year Round Expectations), whether during school, at any school activity, on school property, or at locations off school property where said substances are illegally dispensed.
**A. ALCOHOL, INHALANTS, ILLICIT AND SYNTHETIC DRUGS, STEROIDS AND TOBACCO **
1. For a first offense or Level I infraction, a student will be:
• Suspended from all sanctioned events and extracurricular activities for one calendar week or 20% of the activity/events/games in the season, whichever is less.
In the case of athletics, the scheduled events would include but are not limited to regularly scheduled and post season contests. Scrimmages will be treated as a practice. Both league and non-league games will be treated as events.
Every effort will be made to treat all extracurricular activities equitably. The suspended student may return to the team or activity for practices or meetings only. The student will be reinstated for competition/activity after the seventh calendar day, which will be inclusive of the day which the consequence was assigned, or 20% of the activity/event/game was missed.
Students are expected to serve their suspension for all activities that they are involved in at the time of the infraction and investigation. For example: a student involved in football and student government at the same time, would serve their consequence for both activities. If there is not sufficient time remaining in that season to complete the suspension, it will be carried over to the next extracurricular activity or interscholastic sport season in which that student participates.
Students that have been assigned this consequence may attend their sport/extracurricular activity in a viewer or bench capacity during the period of suspension. They will be allowed to wear their jersey/uniform on the sideline during the contest.
• The student is expected to complete their commitment to any new sport or activity they join in which a substance-related suspension has been served.
• The student will be required to complete an additional 10 hours of community service to be completed by the close of their high school experience. These hours will be added on to the existing 20-hour graduation requirement and recorded.
• Due to the irregular activities of the various clubs at Middletown High School, the execution of the 20% rule is at the discretion of the building administration.
• The student must meet with the Student Assistance Counselor three times and with the Athletic Director/Student Activities Director, coach, or activity advisor. The initial meeting must occur within 14 days of the initial consequence. The remaining meetings will be scheduled by the Student Assistance Counselor.
• The student remains in a leadership position on a probationary basis.
2. For a second offense or Level II infraction, in the same year or subsequent year(s), a student will be:
• Suspended from all sanctioned events and extracurricular activities for the duration of the current athletic season. For students participating in extracurricular clubs/activities, the consequence will take the form of a 45- calendar day social suspension.
• The student will be required to forfeit their leadership position or captaincy if they hold that position. Referral to an outside agency for counseling may be made upon the discretion of the Student Assistance Counselor/Athletic Director/Student Activities Director.
If the student volunteers to become part of an approved program, (at no cost to the School District), as approved by the school nurse or the student assistance counselor, the student may return to participation after 30 calendar days. This treatment must be certified in writing to the School Administration by a doctor or counselor. Finally, the offending student will be required to complete an additional 10 hours of community service prior to graduation.
3. For a Level III or any additional violation in the same year or subsequent year(s), a student will be:
• Suspended from all sanctioned events and extracurricular activities including student government for 180 calendar days. Referral to an outside agency for counseling may be made upon the discretion of the Student Assistance Counselor/Athletic Director/Student Activities Director. If the student
volunteers to become part of an approved (at no cost to the School District), as approved by the school nurse or the student assistance counselor the student may return to participation after 120 calendar days. Participation in a counseling/support program will be strongly encouraged.
B. __CHEMICAL USAGE WHILE IN THE CARE OF STUDENTS FOR __ __EMPLOYEES/CHAPERONES-VOLUNTEERS __
Background: Pressures and opportunities for children to be involved in drug, tobacco and alcohol abuse has increased to crisis proportions during recent decades. Unsupervised social interaction and unknowledgeable adult leadership including adult social drug use have contributed to the problem. Because the adult vigilant supervision of youth is critical during the school years and the role modeling of adults has been shown to greatly impact youth, we must address adult drug use while in the care of students.
No school district employee or Chaperone or Volunteer, during the duty day, at the work site, or at times of other assigned responsibilities, including activities associated with school district functions out of district, shall have in his/her personal possession or consume alcohol, or any illegal drug, or controlled substance or prescription drug, without medical documentation." The use of tobacco products during the above prescribed times is also prohibited.
C. SELF-REFERRAL
If the student were to self-refer to the Student Assistance Counselor or to a staff member prior to being involved in an incident, there would be no sanction imposed on the student at that time. Continued participation in extracurricular activities or athletics would be based on an evaluation/recommendation submitted to the advisor/head coach and Building Principal by the Student Assistance Counselor. The School District is committed to doing all they can to assist students who have self-referred. “Self-referral” is defined as a student approaching a counselor or staff member independently without provocation and confiding in them the substances with which they are having a problem.
D. YEAR-ROUND EXPECTATIONS
The Substance Use and Student Wellness Policy in the Middletown Public Schools is in effect year-round, in and out of season, on and off the field, in and out of uniform for all students involved in extracurricular activities. There is a reason for this… We care about the welfare of our students. We also expect a
commitment from students if students want to be involved in after school activities in the School District.
E. PRESENCE AT PARTIES WITH ALCOHOL, DRUGS OR TOBACCO
If a student attends a party where alcohol, drugs or tobacco are being illegally dispensed, the student must leave the party immediately or risk enforcement of Substance Use and Student Wellness Policy. It is expected that a student considers the safety of those around them prior to leaving a situation. If a student aids someone needing assistance, their actions will be considered when determining if they are in violation of this policy.
F. CYBER IMAGES
Any identifiable image, photo, or video which implicates a student to have been in possession or in the presence of alcohol and/or drugs, or portrays actual use, or crime, may be confirmation of a violation of this policy. It must also be noted that there may be persons, who would attempt to implicate a student, by taking such images, to place them in a situation where they might be in violation of this policy. The school administration maintains discretion in interpreting the credibility of cyber images and if such images warrant further investigation. Students must take every precaution to ensure that their social media accounts are void of any images that may place them in violation of this policy.
G. LEADERSHIP
Any student involved in a violation of the code of conduct that results in a Suspension from school, or charged with crimes outside of school, will lose the ability to serve as a leader of an extracurricular activity or as captain of an athletic team and be ineligible to serve for a period of one calendar year.
1st Reading – September 2, 2009
2nd Reading – March 18, 2010 (Effective for the 2010-2011 school year) Revised – August 9, 2011
Revised and Approved –August 25, 2011
Revised – August 18, 2016
Revised and Approved – August 17, 2017
Revised – June 15, 2023
Approved - August 10, 2023
Reviewed - September 18, 2025
3 Year Review Due - September 2028