Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention

The Phoenix Program serves secondary students who have committed an alcohol or other drug offense under the Code of Student Conduct. The Phoenix Program is an educational intervention for students who are involved in disciplinary action for the first time of an alcohol or other drug-related offense. The Phoenix Program consists of two components:

• Education: Six two-hour classes that emphasize family relationships and communication, as well as knowledge about the consequences and effects of substance use/abuse, are provided for both the student and the parent/guardian.
• Assessment: The student and the parent/guardian participate in a substance abuse assessment in which the extent of the student’s drug involvement is explored. The outcome of the assessment, which usually takes about two hours, is recommendations for continual intervention and prevention.

Both the students and a parent/guardian/caregiver must attend and successfully complete all aspects of the Phoenix Program in order for the student to remain enrolled in his/her assigned school. Students who do not successfully complete the Phoenix Program are suspended for an additional five days and are reassigned to an alternative school for 90 days.