File: IHAMA - Teaching about Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

In accordance with applicable law, the district shall provide age-appropriate, developmentally based drug and alcohol education and prevention programs from early childhood (preschool) through grade 12.

The drug and alcohol education program shall address the legal, social and health consequences of drug and alcohol use. It shall include special instruction as to the effects upon the human system; the emotional, psychological and social dangers of such use with emphasis on nonuse by school-age children, and the illegal aspects of such use. The program also shall include information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use illicit drugs or alcohol.

The objectives of this program, as stated below, are rooted in the Board's belief that prevention requires education and that the most important aspect of the policies and guidelines of the district should be the education of each individual to the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

1. To create an awareness of the total drug problem-prevention, education, treatment, rehabilitation and law enforcement on the local, state, national and international levels

2. To relate the use of drugs and alcohol to physical, mental, social and emotional practices

3. To encourage the individual to adopt an appropriate attitude toward pain, stress and discomfort

4. To develop the student's ability to make intelligent choices based on facts and to develop the courage to stand by one's own convictions

5. To understand the need for seeking professional advice in dealing with problems related to physical and mental health

6. To understand the personal, social and economic problems causing the misuse of drugs and alcohol

7. To develop an interest in preventing illegal use of drugs in the community

The curriculum, instructional materials and strategies used in this program shall be recommended by the superintendent and approved by the Board.

To the extent funds are available, each school is encouraged to operate and maintain an educational program to assist students in avoiding and discontinuing use of tobacco.

Adopted November 18, 1986

Revised to conform with practice: date of manual adoption, January 14, 1992

Revised August 21, 2023

LEGAL REFS.: 20 U.S.C. §7101 et seq. (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994)

C.R.S. 22-1-110 (effect of use of alcohol and controlled substances to be taught)

C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(bb) (policy required prohibiting use of tobacco products on school property)

C.R.S. 25-14-103.5 (use of tobacco products prohibited on school property)

CROSS REFS.: ADC, Tobacco-Free Schools

IHACA*, Law-Related Education

JICH, Drug and Alcohol Involvement by Students