Do you know what to do if you suspect one of your students is abusing alcohol or drugs? Click through the slides to see Bergenfield's procedure for suspected substance abuse.

If a student appears to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs on school grounds, any educational staff member or other professional is required to report the matter to the principal.

An immediate medical examination will be conducted and a written report of the examination will be given to the parent or legal guardian of the student, the principal, and the superintendent.

If the written report of the medical examination is not provided within 24 hours of the referral, the student is allowed to return to school until a positive determination of alcohol or other drug use is received by the examining physician. The only exception to this rule is if the student was also removed for violating the Code of Student Conduct. If the student violated the Code, other policies may prevent the student's return to school.

If the written report from the medical examination verifies that alcohol or other drugs DO NOT interfere with the student's physical or mental ability to perform in school, the student will return to school immediately. If the exam determines that the alcohol or drug use DOES interfere with the student's physical or mental ability to perform, the student will return to the care of his or her parent. He or she may not come back to school until a written report is given to parents, the principal, and the superintendent by a licensed physician stating that the student's substance abuse no longer interferes with his or her physical and mental ability to perform in school.

Removal of a student with a disability shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14.

While a student is at home because of the medical evaluation or after the student returns to school, an appropriately certified school staff member(s) will conduct an alcohol or other drug assessment of the student and a reasonable investigation of the situation; referral to an alcohol or other drug abuse treatment program may be initiated.

Disclosure to law enforcement authorities of the identity of a student in instances of alcohol and other drugs shall be in accordance with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 6A:16-4.3(a)3.

The Board may provide additional intervention and referral services for the student.