Tobacco

• The Surgeon General of the United States has determined that the use of tobacco is dangerous to your health.  Sustained use can cause serious illness; therefore, use or possession of tobacco on school grounds is strictly prohibited for students and staff.

• Violation of this policy will result in the student’s suspension.  Also, because it is a violation of state law to smoke in any school, persons in violation may be referred to the Pembroke Police Department PACE Career Academy for criminal prosecution and/or civil fines.

• Students are not permitted to stand in the street, sit in their cars, or stand on school neighbors’ property to use tobacco.

 

Drugs and alcohol

 

Drug abuse includes being under the influence of a drug or in the possession, use, transfer or sale of illegal drugs, narcotics, or drug paraphernalia or “look-alike” drugs in school, on school grounds, or at any school functions.  Alcohol is included as a drug as defined by this policy.

 

The intention of this policy is to protect the rights and well-being of all students and school personnel, to assist any student who may seek or need help with a drug-related problem, and to ensure the orderly conduct of school business.

 

PACE Career Academy prohibits students from being under the influence of a drug or from the possession, use, transfer or sale of illegal drugs, narcotics, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, or “look alike” drugs.

 

Students are prohibited from being present where any drug is possessed, used, sold, or distributed.  Students present under these circumstances are viewed as violating school policy.

 

Any medication prescribed by a medical doctor that a student is required to take in school or brings to school must be given to the Director or Student Services Director and kept under lock. The same is true for over-the-counter medications.

 

Students suspected of any type of drug or alcohol involvement must meet with the Student Services Director for an appropriate referral to outside counseling.

 

In any incident involving prohibited substances, students will be afforded due process.

 

If a staff member or student has reason to believe that a PACE Career Academy student is violating the school’s Substance Abuse Policy, an administrator should be notified of the situation immediately.  Staff members who suspect a person violating the policy will notify the  Director or his designee.

1. The administrator, after evaluating the situation will notify the Parent or guardian of the situation and request him/her to remove the student.

2. The student may be suspended for up to 10 school days if it is determined that drug use has occurred.

3. In severe cases or when the Parent will not come into school, the administrator is authorized to call an ambulance or police officer to remove the student to the hospital/home/police station.  The Parent or guardian will be notified of this action and be responsible for any expenses incurred.

4. After consultation with the Director, the police, and other personnel, the Director will recommend any further appropriate action to the Board.

5. If the student is suspected to be in the possession, use, transfer or sale of illegal drugs, narcotics, prescription drugs, or drug paraphernalia or “look-alike” drugs, in school, on school ground, or at any school functions, an administrator should be notified of the situation immediately. The administrator, after having evaluated the situation, may:

   • Ask the student to give the substance in question to him or her.

     • Ask the student to empty the contents of his or her pockets, wallet, purse, or other personal property to determine if any drugs are present.

     • Conduct a search of the student’s lockers and vehicles.

     • Ask the student to identify the substance found or given over. Any evidence will be turned over to the police.

If illegal drugs are found, the student will be suspended for ten school days, the parent or guardian will be notified, and the Director will recommend any further action to the Board.  This suspension may be reduced from 10 to 8 days if the student agrees to meet with the counselor to PACE Career in an assessment and a follow-up meeting to discuss recommendations.  The assessment must take place outside of the school building or after school hours, and must occur before the student’s suspension is concluded.

 

If a student becomes aware that a person other than a member of the PACE Career Academy student body is violating the tenets of the school’s drug policy, they should immediately notify an administrator who will notify the police.  School authorities shall cooperate fully in the apprehension of such persons.