School Laws of Oklahoma

Chapter 8 - Instruction
Article IV: Drug Abuse Education Act

Section 875. Drug Abuse Education Act of 1972. (70 O.S. § 1210.221)

This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Drug Abuse Education Act of 1972.”

Section 876. Drug - Definition. (70 O.S. § 1210.222)

As used in this act, the term “drug” means articles recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them; articles intended for use in the diagnosis cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals; articles, other than food, intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals; and articles intended for use as a component of any article specified in this paragraph; but does not include devices or their components, parts or accessories. It shall also include alcoholic and intoxicating liquor and beverages and tobacco.

Section 877. Purpose of Act. (70 O.S. § 1210.223)

The purpose of this act is to authorize the development of a comprehensive drug abuse education program for children and youth in kindergarten and grades one through twelve in the public school districts of this state which choose to participate. It is the legislative intent that this program may teach the adverse and dangerous effects of drugs on the human mind and body and may include proper usage of prescription and nonprescription medicines.

Section 878. State Department of Education to Administer Act. (70 O.S. § 1210.224)

The Department of Education may administer the comprehensive Drug Abuse Education Act of 1972, pursuant to regulations which the State Board of Education is hereby empowered to promulgate. In administering this section, the Department shall take into consideration the advice of the Commissioner of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control and the Advisory Board to the Commissioner of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control.

Section 879. Implementation of Act. (70 O.S. § 1210.225)

In administering this act, the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education shall be governed by the following:

1. Implement in-service education programs for teachers, administrators and other personnel. Special emphasis shall be placed on methods and materials necessary for the effective teaching of drug abuse education. In-service teacher education materials which are based on individual performance and designed for use with a minimum of supervision shall be developed and made available to all school districts which are participating in this program;

2. Implement provisions of this act in the most expeditious manner possible, commensurate with the availability of textbooks and materials, as well as the availability of teaching personnel; and

3. Recommend degree programs and short course seminars for the preparation of drug education teaching personnel.

Section 880. Funds for Implementation of Act. (70 O.S. § 1210.227)

In implementing this act every effort shall be made to combine funds appropriated for this purpose with funds available from all other sources, federal, state, local or private, in order to achieve maximum benefits for improving drug abuse education.

Section 881. Reports to Legislature. (70 O.S. § 1210.228)

The State Department of Education shall, at least thirty (30) days prior to the 1973 regular session of the Legislature and each regular session thereafter, transmit to the members of the State Board of Education, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Education Committees, a report as to the status of the drug abuse education program together with any recommendations for further improvement, modification or additional legislation.

Section 882. Oklahoma Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Life Skills Education Act. (70 O.S. § 1210.229-1)

Sections 1210.229-1 through 1210.229-5 of this title shall be known and may be cited as the “Oklahoma Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Life Skills Education Act”.

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Section 883. Purpose of Act. (70 O.S. § 1210.229-2)

The Legislature finds that for the purpose of preventing drug and alcohol abuse among our young people, and for preventing or alleviating problems which lead to and are closely associated with drug and alcohol abuse, it is desirable that all Oklahoma school districts develop and implement a curriculum for drug and alcohol abuse prevention for all grade levels. Such curriculum may include training in life skills, such as problem-solving, responsibility, communication and decision-making skills, which enable young people to successfully resist social and other pressures to engage in activities which are destructive to their health and future. The Legislature encouraged all school districts to adopt as a goal for the year 1990 the full implementation of drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs in their schools. In order to expand and enhance the ability of school districts to implement drug and alcohol prevention programs, it is the intent of the Legislature that local school districts participate in the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986, 20 U.S.C., Section 4601 et seq. and the provisions of Public Law No. 101-647, Drug-Free School Zones.

In order to derive maximum benefit from their drug and alcohol prevention programs, it is further the intent of the Legislature that the school districts coordinate their efforts and activities with the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board, and with appropriate state and local drug and alcohol abuse, health and law enforcement agencies and programs within the community which provide drug education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

It is further the intent of the Legislature to encourage school districts to establish programs concerning the danger and criminal consequences of the possession and/or use of firearms or other dangerous or deadly weapons in school zones.

Section 884. Definitions. (70 O.S. § 1210.229-3)

For purposes of the Oklahoma Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Life Skills Education Act, Section 1210.229-1 et seq. of this title:

1. “Alcohol” means any low-point beer as defined in Section 163.2 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes or alcoholic beverage as defined in Section 506 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

2. “Board” means the State Board of Education;

3. “Department” means the State Department of Education;

4. “Drug” means a controlled dangerous substance as defined in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, Section 2-101 et seq. of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

5. “Life skills” includes but is not limited to fostering skills in responsibility, decision making, communication, self-confidence and goal setting. Life skills shall not include values clarification or sex education.

Section 885. Powers and Duties. (70 O.S. § 1210.229-5)

A. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Department of Education in conjunction with the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board shall:

1. establish objective criteria, guidelines and a comprehensive integrated curriculum for substance abuse programs and the teaching of life skills in local schools and school districts;

2. establish and review annually model policies for alcohol and drug abuse issues, including but not limited to policies regarding disciplinary actions and referral for services;

3. develop and implement strategies which encourage all schools to employ guidance counselors trained in substance abuse prevention and life skills and to develop and begin implementing quality substance abuse and life skills education programs; and

4. develop guidelines and criteria to encourage teachers and administrators to receive in-service training on alcohol and drug abuse. The training or workshops should be included in the staff development point system.

B. The State Department of Education shall distribute information or reports provided by the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board, to each school district and, upon request, to members of the public. Upon request of the chief administrator of a school or school district, the Department shall provide technical assistance to schools and school districts to implement policies and programs pursuant to guidelines provided by the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board and shall provide a clearinghouse program accessible by school districts to provide information about life skills and drug and alcohol abuse prevention curricula and programs.

C. Final determination of materials to be used, means of implementation of the curriculum, and ages and times at which students receive instruction about said life skills and drug and alcohol abuse prevention shall be made by the local school board. The local school district, at least one (1) month prior to giving such instruction to students, shall conduct for parents and guardians of students involved, during weekend or evening hours, at least one presentation concerning the plans for instruction and the materials to be used. No student shall be required to receive instruction about said life skills and drug and alcohol abuse prevention if a parent or guardian of the student objects in writing.