§ 115C-81.20.  Alcohol and drug use prevention education.

(a) Instruction shall be provided in alcohol and drug use prevention education from kindergarten through high school.

(b) 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.

(c) The Department of Public Instruction shall do the following:

(1) Work to strengthen instructional offerings in the content and skill areas in which alcohol and drug use prevention education is addressed.

(2) Develop curricular materials and resources that meet, extend, and supplement drug and alcohol education as outlined in the standard course of study and the teacher handbook for the competency-based curriculum.

(3) Recommend to the State Board of Education any drug use prevention education support materials that should be removed from or added to the recommended list of curricular resources developed and maintained by the State Board of Education.

(d) 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.

(e) Local boards of education shall do the following:

(1) Implement an approved alcohol and drug use prevention education as a primary part of their comprehensive health education program.

(2) Provide for ongoing evaluation of drug use prevention education resources, to include participation in ongoing evaluations with the Department of Public Instruction.

(f) The Department of Public Instruction, in conjunction with local school administrative units, shall provide for professional development to train educators and support personnel to implement a comprehensive alcohol and drug use prevention education program.

(g) Sequential, age-appropriate instruction shall be provided that includes all of the following:

(1) Reaches all students in all grades.

(2) Presents a clear and consistent message that the use of alcohol and unlawful drugs and the misuse of other drugs are unhealthy and harmful.

(3) Reflects current research and theory.

(4) Includes all abusable substances.

(5) Utilizes information that is current and accurate.

(6) Involves students in active "hands-on" learning experiences.

(7) Integrates substance abuse education with other health and social issues and other subject and skill areas of the standard course of study.

(8) Promotes understanding and respect for the law and values of society.

(9) Encourages healthy, safe, and responsible attitudes and behaviors.

(10) Includes strategies to involve parents, family members, and the community.

(11) Includes information on intervention and treatment services.

(12) Is continually open to revision, expansion, and improvement. (2017-126, s. 5.)