Oak Park High School changes drug abuse policy

The Oak Park Unified School District Board of Education has approved a new optional support program for first time substance abusers.

Students caught violating the school's old drug policy would normally face punishments that include possible arrest, confiscation of all illegal substances and a five-day suspension with the offense noted on their permanent record. Parents would be notified, six sessions in a substance abuse training program would be required and a one-year ban would be imposed on participation in all extracurricular activities.

Rather than simply punish students, the new program gives them a chance to correct their behavior, according to school officials.

"With this program, we are trying to take a proactive approach rather than just a punitive approach," said Lynn McCormack, principal of Oak Park High School.

If a student chooses to take part in the optional program, he and his parents will sign a contract agreeing to counseling and random drug screenings. Parents will be given a list of testing sites and must pay for the tests.

If the student tests negative one month after the date of the offense, the restriction on extracurricular activities will be dropped, school officials said.

The program will last for one year beginning the day after the student is caught with a banned substance. The district will retain the right to request random drug tests throughout the duration of the program.

If a student tests positive at a drug screening, he or she will be expelled immediately.

The offender also will be assigned a support group on a case by case basis. Students and their parents will be required to attend a minimum of six sessions.

"I am very pleased that the board voted to change our current substance abuse policy," McCormack said.

"The new policy will provide an alternative to suspensions for first time drug use. The program is supportive and educational rather than strictly punitive," she said.

Both the former and revised substance abuse policies both require immediate expulsion of students caught selling drugs.