WHEREAS, the education of elementary, middle, and high school students about the hazards of drug use is an extremely important and effective way to reduce drug abuse; and

WHEREAS, "both failure in school and the perception of failing in school are linked to substance abuse as are higher rates of absenteeism and truancy among elementary, middle and high school students." (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. "Malignant Neglect: Substance Abuse and America’s Schools," September 2001); and

WHEREAS, such drug education must be based on proven programs that have demonstrated success in preventing or reducing drug abuse in schools; and

WHEREAS, in "1994 Congress directed the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), U.S. Department of Education, to establish 'panels of appropriate qualified experts and practitioners' to evaluate educational programs and recommend to the Secretary of Education those programs that should be designated as exemplary or promising." (Education, Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994); and

WHEREAS, "The Safe and Drug-Free Schools (SDFS) program and OERI established the Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools Expert Panel in May 1998 (tasked to) develop and oversee a process for identifying and designating as promising and exemplary programs that promote safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools." (U.S. Department of Education, "Exemplary & Promising Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools Program," 2001); and

WHEREAS, the Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools Expert Panel reviewed a total of 124 programs and selected 9 exemplary and 33 promising programs in 2001. (U.S. Department of Education, "Exemplary & Promising Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools Program," 2001); and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), identifies and publishes model programs that have been "tested in communities, schools, social service organizations, and workplaces across America, and have provided solid proof that they have prevented or reduced substance abuse and other related high-risk behaviors."(SAMHSA Model Programs, available at www.modelprograms.samhsa.gov); and

WHEREAS, discipline in the schools for student violations of drug policies is most effective if consistent; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police calls upon state and local educational agencies to review and adopt model anti-drug education programs for all elementary, middle, and high schools.