Members of the Los Alamitos Unified School District’s Substance Abuse Task Force have made some suggestions for the 2010-11 school year on the district’s Alternative to Suspension Program for first time drug offenders under the voluntary drug testing program.
Board of Education members heard the proposals during a Tuesday, Feb. 9 workshop.
The task force, made up of teachers, parents, community members, clergy and others, is recommending that first-time drug offenders be allowed the option of taking the complete substance abuse program.
The program includes two days off campus suspension, three days on campus drug education, two evening education events with a parent and two drug screenings. The second option of five days off campus suspension could be changed to two days off-campus suspension and three days on-campus education.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Sherry Kropp said the on-campus education would be taught at the district office by California Youth Services. No one on the task force liked the five-day off-campus option, Kropp said.
“Police thought it was a great idea,” Kropp said. “We feel schools have a better chance to affect students than the police do.”
The options are offered for a first offense of marijuana, alcohol and over the counter drugs providing the amount is clearly for personal use and not for the purpose of selling, according to a press release. The program is also offered for a first offense of other substances such as steroids, cocaine, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and prescription drugs as long as students sign a stipulated agreement for a suspended expulsion and they produce a clean drug screening test through the ASP.
