Tulsa Public Schools Policy 2109: Reporting Student Substance Use/Abuse
PURPOSE: To require the reporting of substance use/abuse by students.
Certain terms used in this Policy will have the following definitions:
"Under the influence" - a personal observation by a teacher based on a student's behavior, speech or appearance to reasonably indicate to the teacher that the student's behavior, speech or appearance results from the student's consumption/use of a mood/behavior altering substance including, but not limited to, low-point beer, alcoholic beverages, or controlled dangerous substances, over the counter medications, inhalants, etc.
"Low-point beer" - beer as defined by Title 37, O.S. Sec. 163.2.
"Alcoholic beverages" - beverages containing alcohol, other than low-point beer, as defined by Title 37, O.S. Sec. 506.
"Controlled dangerous substances" - substances defined as controlled dangerous substances under Title 63, O.S. Sec 2-101.
Any District employee who suspects a student may be under the influence of a mood/behavior altering substance will report the incident to the principal or designee. The principal or designee shall immediately notify the Superintendent or designee and a parent/ guardian of the student.
As provided by Oklahoma law:
No employee of the District, or member of the Board, shall be subject to civil liability for any statement, report or action taken in assisting, or referring for assistance, to any medical treatment, social service agency, facility or any substance abuse prevention and treatment program, any student reasonably believed to be abusing or incapacitated by the use of lowpoint beer, alcoholic beverages or a controlled dangerous substance, unless such assistance or referral was made in bad faith or with malicious purpose. No District employee or Board member shall be responsible for any treatment costs incurred by a student as a result of any such assistance or referral to any medical treatment, social service agency or facility or substance abuse prevention and treatment program.
Any District administrator, teacher or counselor having reasonable cause to suspect a student is under the influence of low-point beer, alcoholic beverages or controlled dangerous substances, or has any of the foregoing in the student's possession, and who reports such information to the appropriate school official, court personnel, community substance abuse prevention and treatment personnel or any law enforcement agency, pursuant to this policy shall have immunity from any civil liability otherwise incurred or imposed as a result of the making of such a report.
A copy of this policy will be delivered to each classroom teacher.