GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1989 SESSION
CHAPTER 801
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. G.S. 115C-81 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(a3) Alcohol and Drug Education Program to Be Recommended and Implemented:
(1) A comprehensive education program that includes alcohol and drug use prevention education must be available to every child in North Carolina schools in kindergarten through high school.
(2) The State Board of Education shall develop and maintain a recommended list of alcohol and drug use prevention education materials that include components for teacher training and ongoing assessment and evaluation to verify success and ensure the use of up-to-date information and strategies.
(3) The Department of Public Instruction will work to strengthen instructional offerings in the content and skill areas of the Basic Education Program in which alcohol and drug use prevention education is addressed. Curricular materials and resources will be developed that meet, extend, and supplement drug and alcohol education as outlined in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and the Teacher Handbook for the competency-based curriculum.
(4) The Department of Public Instruction shall recommend to the State Board of Education any drug use prevention education support materials that should be removed or added to the recommended list of curricular resources developed and maintained by the State Board of Education.
(5) Local boards of education may select supplemental alcohol and drug use prevention education materials from the list maintained by the State Board of Education, or develop their own supplemental materials to be approved by the State Board of Education.
(6) Local boards of education shall implement alcohol and drug use prevention education as a primary part of their comprehensive health education program.
(7) Local boards of education will provide for ongoing evaluation of drug use prevention education resources, to include participation in on-going evaluations with the Department of Public Instruction.
(8) Local boards of education must implement an approved drug and alcohol education prevention program for kindergarten through sixth grade by the 1990-91 school year, and for seventh grade through twelfth grade by the 1991-92 school year.
(9) Local boards of education will meet educational State accreditation standards related to instruction in preventing alcohol and drug use in grades K-12.
(10) The Department of Public Instruction, in conjunction with local school districts, will provide for staff development to train educators and support personnel to implement a comprehensive alcohol and drug use prevention education program.
(11) Sequential, age-appropriate instruction will be provided that has the following features:
a. Reaches all students in all grades;
b. Presents a clear and consistent message that the use of alcohol and illicit drugs and the misuse of other drugs is unhealthy and harmful;
c. Reflects current research and theory;
d. Includes all abusable substances;
e. Utilizes information that is current and accurate;
f. Involves students in active 'hands-on' learning experiences;
g. Integrates substance abuse education with other health and social issues and other subject and skill areas of the North Carolina Basic Education Program and Standard Course of Study;
h. Promotes understanding and respect for the law and values of society;
i. Encourages health, safe, and responsible attitudes and behaviors;
j. Includes strategies to involve parents, family members, and the community;
k. Includes information on intervention and treatment services;
l. Is continually open to revision, expansion and improvement."
Sec. 2. This act does not obligate the General Assembly to appropriate any additional funds.
Sec. 3. This act shall become effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 12th day of August, 1989.