The La Porte Community School Corporation is announcing the 10 actions identified by the Drug Task Force. Action Teams are currently being formed with school employee and community representation. Actions 1, 3 ,6, 8, and 9 are expected to be in place for the start of the 2013-2014 school year. Community members interested in serving on the Actions Teams are encouraged to contact Assistant Superintendent Mark Francesconi at: mfrancesconi@lpcsc.k12.in.us.
In September of 2012, the La Porte Community School Corporation initiated the organization of a School/Community Drug Task Force. The charge of the task force was to study the current data, intervention, and practices regarding student drug use in the LPCSC schools and using that information, propose actions to be implemented which would surround the complicated issue of student drug use and abuse.
The following actions were identified to initiate beginning in the Spring of 2013. Action teams with representatives from the school and the community will be formed to begin the work necessary to implement these actions over the next year. Action teams have been coached to work the collection of data into their intervention implementation in order to measure the impact that the intervention has on student drug use. Action teams will report implementation progress to the Drug Task Force throughout the implementation period.
| # | Specific Action |
| 1 | Expand drug testing to student drivers and extra-curricular activities other than sports |
| 2 | Establish a Health Clinic to provide services for students that are struggling with substance abuse, drug addiction, suicidal thoughts, etc. |
| 3 | Implement alternatives for suspension and expulsion for drug policy violators |
| 4 | Implement an organized approach to student mentor programs for all grade levels |
| 5 | Increase security presence at secondary schools including the parking lots |
| 6 | Implement a systematic approach to aligning the school corporation policy with the philosophy and interest of the community as it relates to drugs, possession, prevention, student discipline, etc |
| 7 | Increase the number of school security cameras at all buildings |
| 8 | Increase the frequency of drug dog searches at the high school and middle schools- including alternative searches to traditional locker and vehicle searches (book bags, purses, gym lockers, classrooms, etc) |
| 9 | Collect longitudinal data on student drug use for both users and non-users. Include gateway drugs for all grades |
| 10 | Implement a consistent curriculum for students who are struggling with life's challenges |