Massachusetts General Law and Dedham School Committee Policy strictly prohibit the possession and/or use of alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances in any form. Violation of these laws and policies may result in disciplinary actions up to and including expulsion. Please review carefully the expectations, processes, and procedures that follow. 

Alcohol and Controlled Substances

Any students found with alcohol in their possession or suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs (other than drugs prescribed by a physician) will be sent directly to the school nurse or office, as proper in each case.  The student’s parents will be contacted and corrective action up to a ten (10) day suspension will be taken.Readmission to school following the suspension will follow, provided that the parents have attended a school conference and the student, parents, and school representative have developed a corrective plan for behavior modification.  

Tobacco Possession and Use

Any individual using tobacco products on school grounds and/or at an off-site school sponsored activity  (e.g.) field trip, prom, social, etc., will be reported to an administrator for disciplinary action. Any student  carrying smoking materials on his/her person will be given office detention. The penalty for smoking is:

• 1st Offense: a $100.00 fine or participation in a smoking cessation program.
• 2nd and Subsequent Offenses: The penalty is a $100.00 fine for each offense. Additional disciplinary consequences may apply. 

This policy shall also apply to the possession/use of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, etc. and associated  paraphernalia, including but not limited to all substances used for vaporization whether or not they  contain nicotine.

Alcohol and Controlled Substances

Any student with alcohol or drugs in his/her possession, except those prescribed by a physician, or who  is suspected of being under the influence of these drugs, will be sent directly to either the school nurse  or to the office as proper in each case. The student’s parent/guardian will be contacted, and corrective  action will be required prior to re-admission to the regular school program. Re-admission will follow  suspension provided that the parent/guardian has come into school for a conference and a corrective  plan for behavior modification has been developed by the student, parent/guardian and school  representative. 

1. Established use, possession or being present when and where there is use of non-medical drugs or  alcohol while under school supervision or at a school event regardless of quantity, location or time  will result in a three-to-ten day suspension for the first offense.  

2. Established sale of drugs or alcohol will result in a ten-day (10) suspension and / or expulsion for the  first offense. 

3. First offense students will not be allowed to attend or participate in any school events or extra curricular activities (music, athletics, drama events, etc., prom, class day, graduation) for forty-five  (45) calendar days. 

4. Students in a leadership position (class and club officers, captains) will be required to relinquish their  positions for the remainder of the school year. 

5. Any additional recurrence will result in a ten-day (10) suspension from the school with a referral for  expulsion. In addition, the student will be excluded from attending or participating in any school  events or extra-curricular activities for ninety (90) calendar days. 

6. Any established use, possession or sale of non-medical drugs or alcohol would be reported to the  police, as mandated by State Law. 

7. The law pertaining to a drug-free school zone is stated on page 12 under Chapter 227 in this  Handbook. 

8. Disciplinary action pertaining to substance abuse, sale and/or possession may be taken against  students with IEP’s, for the purposes of educational programs and activities. As is permitted,  circumstances may require a drug/alcohol-testing program as a condition for delivery of SPED  services. 

Tobacco Possession and Use

Any individual using tobacco products on school grounds and/or at an off-site school sponsored activity  (e.g.) field trip, prom, social, etc., will be reported to an administrator for disciplinary action. Any student  carrying smoking materials on his/her person will be given office detention. The penalty for smoking is:

• 1st Offense: a $100.00 fine or participation in a smoking cessation program.
• 2nd and Subsequent Offenses: The penalty is a $100.00 fine for each offense. Additional disciplinary consequences may apply. 

This policy shall also apply to the possession/use of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, etc. and associated  paraphernalia, including but not limited to all substances used for vaporization whether or not they  contain nicotine.