3. Each local board of education shall, pursuant to guidelines developed by the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services, establish a comprehensive substance use intervention, prevention and treatment referral program in the public elementary and secondary schools of the district. The purpose of the program shall be to identify pupils who use substances, assess the extent of these pupils’ involvement with these substances and, where appropriate, refer pupils and their families to organizations and agencies approved by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services to offer competent professional treatment. Treatment shall not be at the expense of the local board of education.

Each school district shall develop a clear written policy statement which outlines the district’s program to combat substance use and which provides for the identification, evaluation, referral for treatment and discipline of pupils who use substances . Copies of the policy statement shall be distributed to pupils and their parents at the beginning of each school year.

1987, c.387, s.3; amended 2023, c.177, s.42.