Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use Policy

“Natchitoches Parish School Board is dedicated to providing a drug free learning environment for students

attending public school.”

STUDENT ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
The Natchitoches Parish School Board is dedicated to providing a drug-free learning environment for

students attending public schools. The Board directs that each student shall be specifically prohibited from

being under the influence of, bringing on, consuming, or having in possession on a school bus, on school premises,

or at a school function away from the school, any alcoholic beverages, intoxicating liquors, narcotic drugs,

prescription medications, marijuana, inhalants, imitation or counterfeit controlled substances, or other controlled

substance as defined by state statutes, unless dispensed by a licensed physician as allowed by law. The

Superintendent shall be responsible for maintaining appropriate procedures for the detection of alcohol, drugs,

or other controlled substances or imitations thereof. Any student found in violation of the above shall be

suspended as required by law and be recommended for expulsion by the principal.

Any violations of criminal laws, state or federal, committed on school property shall be prosecuted as

provided by law. School officials, teachers and/or Board employees shall report all violators to the principal, who in

turn, shall notify the proper law enforcement agency and shall cooperate with the prosecuting attorney’s office in

the prosecution of charges. Any student, who distributes, sells or dispenses in any manner or form whatsoever a

controlled dangerous substance as defined by state law to another student or anyone else while on the school

premises shall be expelled pursuant to the provisions and guidelines as set forth in state law.
The principal shall immediately notify the parents or guardian, by telephone, of any student found in violation

of this policy. If the parents or guardian cannot be reached by phone, the principal shall then notify them of the

TOBACCO POLICY
Students shall not be permitted to have tobacco or tobacco products in their possession or to smoke on the

school grounds or in school facilities during the school day, or at school activities held in school facilities after

school hours, or when riding school buses to and from school or a school function away from school. Parental

permission to smoke does not exempt a student from this policy. Violations shall subject the student to appropriate

disciplinary action. In an attempt to decrease the suspension rate in Natchitoches Parish, students who are caught

with tobacco products in their possession on school grounds will be given an opportunity to attend a workshop on

the risks of tobacco use and ways to stop tobacco use in lieu of suspension. The workshop will be facilitated

through the SDFSC office. Students who do not attend or complete the workshop will be suspended from school

automatically. The Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities program provides a specialized program designed

for students caught with tobacco products during school hours. The program consists of training and education on

increasing awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use. Students will also be educated on the ways to end their

tobacco habit.

DRUG-FREE ZONES
It is unlawful for anyone to use, distribute, be under the influence of, manufacture or possess any controlled

substances as defined by statute on or around school property or an area within 1000 feet of any property used

for school purposes by any school, or on a school bus. These areas shall be designated as Drug-Free Zones. The

School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies, and the State Department of Education, shall

designate and mark Drug-Free Zones which surround all schools and school property. SMOKE FREE ZONES
The Louisiana Smoke-Free Act (Act 815), a state-wide law, went into effect on January 1, 2007; therefore all

schools in Louisiana with grades Pre-K through 12th must become 100% smoke-free. The law states that smoking

is prohibited on all school property, including buildings, grounds (outdoors and off campus school activities) and buses.
There are fines for both individuals and schools/employers who do not comply with Act 815. Fines for individuals:

$25 for the first offense; $50 for the second offense; and $100 for the third and subsequent offenses.

(If the individual is student additional consequences will be given; see smoking policy). Fines for schools/employers:

$100 for the first offense; $250 for the second offense; and $500 for the third and subsequent offenses.