RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, drug use among middle and high school students in Hawaii and nationwide continues to rise; and

WHEREAS, research demonstrates that the common disciplinary approaches of suspension, expulsion, or involuntary transfer of students who use alcohol and drugs, without behavioral intervention, mentoring, or rehabilitative referral, is ineffective and unsuccessful in curtailing substance abuse among students; and

WHEREAS, it is counterproductive to punish students without attempting to alter their behavior; and

WHEREAS, school connectedness, perceived caring from teachers and high expectations for student performance, have been found to make a critical difference in whether or not students turn to alcohol and drugs; and

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Education identifies the fundamental qualities of a safe and responsible school as one in which substance abuse prevention and intervention programs are sustained, coordinated, and comprehensive; and

WHEREAS, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 recommends that schools prevent drug use through learning support activities, student services, and interventions; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education (DOE) is urged to encourage the Area Complexes to use programs that include prevention, treatment, education, and support as an alternative to mandatory suspension in response to student substance abuse in schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education and DOE are urged to adopt programs and plans that promote school connectedness and address behavioral changes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOE is urged to support in-school suspension, after school interventions, positive behavior mentoring, student assistance, and other programs that offer counseling and education as preventive disciplinary response to students who are first-time drug abuse offenders and students who voluntarily seek help to deal with drug abuse, as long as these students do not pose a danger to others; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

Report Title:

Substance Abuse Prevention Programs