Drug Policy
Rationale
- Our drug policies are not meant to be punitive. In order to provide a clean and sober environment for youth who are serious about recovery and academics, we use all the tools available. Experience has taught us that we have an obligation to bring to light any substance abuse issues and thereby decrease denial. It is common for teenagers to believe that their substance abuse is normal. We call this "denial".
- We treat alcohol and street drugs the same. Both are illegal and potentially harmful for youth.
- We do not tolerate any mention of substance abuse in a positive light.
- Being present when drugs or drinking happens on or off campus during the school day may be considered just as serious as using.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia is treated the same as possession of the drug.
- Our goal is to support recovery, and the first step in that process is honesty.
- Once students are honest with staff about their use, we can work together to develop an individualized program that leads to recovery.
- We understand that relapse can happen. Relapse is, of course, a choice that can be avoided with help.
- We also understand that drug users lie. We prefer to trust students' integrity, but we have learned that addicts and alcoholics have no integrity when they are using.
- We know that substance abuse issues normally get worse over time, and that any adolescent in a dropout program who uses illegal drugs or alcohol is very possibly headed for a lifetime struggle with dependency.
- School is a teenager's job, and anyone under the influence on the job, or with alcohol or illegal drugs in their urine or on their breath (and in their brain), is unable to function well, and may even be dangerous. For this reason, anyone with illegal substances in their system may not be allowed to accompany the school on field trips, especially overnight trips.
- Admission by student. Handled between student and Advisor. The FIRST voluntary admission MAY not result in invoking the Recovery Plan. This will be at the discretion of the Advisor.
- Possession
- Searches by school staff
- Searches by police officers
- Searches by a canine (We have a visit from a drug-sniffing dog once every semester.)
- Students who have come to New School with documented problems with substance abuse will be subject to random searches.
- Under the Influence
- Breathalyzer
- Field Sobriety Test by police officer
- Urine Testing by probation officers
- Urine Testing by parents, or parents may request that a staff person conduct the test if parents are not available
- Principal Teacher's nose
- If we suspect you are under the influence, you can either.
- Admit guilt and go home with your parents, in which case the Advisor and you can fill out the New School Substance Abuse Contract, or
- Insist you are innocent, and submit to one of the tests above. If you pass, the Principal Teacher will apologize to you publicly, and also to your family.
- IF we have to test you and the test is dirty, you and your Advisor will complete a New School Substance Abuse Contract. You may also be sent home, depending on the type of drug and severity of intoxication.
- We expect you to be clean at work (school) and to be truthful with us about your issues and use.
- Selling or providing drugs/alcohol to others is a very serious offense which undermines the very principles of New School. These issues are dealt with through the District expulsion process.